Data published by the National Safety Council (NSC) indicate that slip and fall accidents are responsible for approximately 8.9 million emergency department visits annually. A certain percentage of these accidents occur due to poorly maintained or defective stairs or stairwells. People injured in stairwell accidents may be able to recover from their injuries if they are able to establish that their accident was caused by the negligence of another party. The best way to determine whether you have a claim after a slip and fall accident is to have one of the experienced personal injury attorneys of Shane Smith Law evaluate your case as soon as possible.
There are many potential ways a stairwell may be negligently maintained or designed and cause injury. Some of the more common ways include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Uneven stairs
- Lack of handrails
- Holes in stairs
- Inadequate stair depth
- Slippery stair surfaces
- Liquid spills
- Debris on stairs
- Stairs that are too tall
- Loose panels
Determining whether negligence played a role in a slip and fall accident on stairs can be a complicated legal inquiry, and it is advisable for victims to have their cases looked at by an attorney who has handled personal injury matters in the past. After a stair accident, victims should be sure to undergo a thorough medical evaluation, both to ensure that any injuries that they sustained are properly treated as well as to generate an official record of the incident. If you believe that the accident was caused by a dangerous condition, you should also try and take photographs of the scene of your accident. Finally, be sure to consult with an attorney before providing any written or oral statements to insurance companies.
Contact a Peachtree City Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident while walking up or down stairs, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, call Shane Smith Law today at (980) 246-2656.