Injuries from Falls Down Dangerous Staircases

Slip and fall accidents are dangerous accidents, but when such a fall happens on a staircase, it is more dangerous still. If you’ve ever gone up or down a staircase, you know that the risk factor for falling is built in – the steps themselves can trip you up. When a staircase isn’t properly maintained, is poorly designed, is poorly lit – or is otherwise defective – it can make falls more likely and more dangerous. Falling on a flat surface is serious enough; falling down a staircase compounds the danger. If you’ve been injured on someone else’s dangerous staircase, you need an experienced San Francisco personal injury attorney on your side. 

Falls: The Statistics

The National Safety Council reports that when it comes to unintentional injury-related deaths, falls are the third leading cause, and for working adults in specific industries, they can be the leading cause. Falls happen, and they are not only serious but can also be deadly. Further, falls from heights – such as from staircases – are even more dangerous.

Pay Attention

Most of us use stairways in businesses, parking lots, and other people’s homes every day – without giving it much thought, and this can be part of the problem. Stairs have inherent dangers, and additional attention is required to maneuver them safely. When you take going up and down stairs for granted, you put yourself at a greater risk of falling and being injured. If you’re glued to your phone or are engaged in another distraction while taking the stairs, things become that much riskier. And those handrails are there for a reason – to help keep everyone safer (not just the very young and the elderly). 

Unsafe Conditions

Unfortunately, you can be as careful as possible on some stairwells and still be at risk of injury. When businesses fail to keep their stairways in good condition, they endanger everyone who uses them. Unsafe conditions can include:

• A poorly designed staircase
• A poorly maintained staircase with structural damage
• A poorly lit staircase
• Uneven, cracked, bunched, frayed, or otherwise worn stair surfaces or coverings
• Stairs made slippery by rain and/or debris (a lack of doormats can exacerbate this problem)
• Absent or inadequate handrails
• Stairs cluttered with tripping hazards

Stairs are dangerous enough on their own. When a business owner fails to keep its stairs in reasonably safe condition, they become even riskier.

If a Poorly Kept Staircase Leaves You Injured, Consult with an Experienced San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney Today

Falls are dangerous, but the risks associated with falls on staircases are even greater. If someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in such a fall, the dedicated legal team at The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., in San Francisco is committed to helping you fully recover on your losses. Our formidable personal injury attorneys have the skill, dedication, and experience to help you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (415) 433-0444 for more information today.