Contact Us for a FREE CONSULTATION

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What Should I Do After Falling Down Broken Stairs?

Learn More

broken patio stairs

Falling down the stairs can be an exceptionally painful experience, resulting in significant injuries and damage. When you use the staircase in someone’s home or at an establishment you expect a certain level of safety. You may be able to pursue legal action against a property owner after falling down broken stairs. Speak with a New Jersey premises liability lawyer to learn more about your rights and options.

What is Premises Liability Law?

Premises liability is the law that makes property owners liable for accidents and injuries that take place on their property. Any time a person who is lawfully on a property becomes injured due to a hazard or dangerous condition, the property owner can be held responsible for the resulting expenses and other damages.

Under premises liability law, property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe environment for guests, visitors, consumers, etc. This law includes private homeowners, grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. Hazards and unexpected dangers can arise at any time, but property owners are expected to address and resolve them in a reasonable timeframe.

How Can Property Owners Cause Broken Staircase Falls?

When an owner is negligent in the upkeep of their property, many issues can arise. Some common staircase hazards that can lead to falls include the following.

  • Loose tiles or floorboards
  • Rotted flooring
  • Bunched carpet
  • Broken handrails
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Spills making the floor slippery
  • Uneven tread

When regular maintenance is not done on a property or issues are put off for weeks and then months, various hazards can arise leading to a dangerous environment. Any of the above, if left unchecked, can result in a person falling and seriously injuring themselves.

What Should I Do After Falling Down Broken Stairs?

If you fall down broken stairs there are several steps you should take immediately following the accident and in the next few days and weeks. Consider the following.

  1. Check yourself for injuries. It is recommended to stay where you are until help arrives to avoid the risk of worsening your injuries.
  2. Call for help to others nearby or dial 911 if possible.
  3. Get medically evaluated by professionals to ensure your health and start a record of your treatments and diagnoses.
  4. Begin gathering evidence including photos of the stairs, conditions of the property, and other hazards, surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony, the accident report, medical records, etc.
  5. Reach out to an attorney to discuss your situation and learn whether or not you can pursue legal action.

After sustaining an injury in a staircase accident it is imperative that you understand your legal rights and options. You may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the property owner for negligence and obtain compensation for your associated expenses. Reach out to an experienced lawyer today for more information.

Explore More of Our Practice Areas

Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC

We Are Ready To Hear From You Get A Free Consultation