Whether you’re in a hotel or a grocery store, you probably expect any steps that you encounter to be safe to traverse. When there are broken or faulty stairs on someone’s property, they are putting customers in danger. If you slipped and fell on a dangerous staircase, that property owner should be held accountable. Our Monmouth County slip and fall accident attorneys can help you with that.
What Are Some Common Dangers on Broken or Faulty Stairs?
There are many potential dangers that can be found on broken or faulty stairs. There could be missing or broken steps, or maybe a handrail that cannot reliably support someone’s weight. Another common problem is poor visibility. If the lighting in the stairwell is bad, someone can easily miss a step and fall.
What Kinds of Injuries Can Broken Or Faulty Stairs Cause?
Broken or faulty stairs can lead to all kinds of injuries. Some common ones include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Head injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken hips
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
Some people can recover from their injuries with a few days of rest. Others could experience the aftereffects of a fall for the rest of their lives.
What Kind of Evidence Can Help With My Case?
If you are able to, you can begin building a case immediately after getting injured on broken or faulty stairs. We recommend:
- Taking photos of the dangerous conditions that led to your fall
- Getting a copy of a store incident report
- Seeking medical attention right away
Going to a doctor as soon as you can will help you get an accurate diagnosis and create useful evidence, like medical records and bills, that can be used to claim compensation later.
Can I Sue For Damages After Getting Injured?
If you believe that your fall and your injuries were only caused by someone else’s negligence, then you may want to sue for damages. If a property owner knew about the broken or faulty stairs, they should have addressed the hazard, closed the stairway, or taken other actions to protect people invited onto the property.
Fair compensation should not just address the obvious costs of your accident, like medical bills. It should also address any psychological trauma inflicted and the impact your injuries have on your mental health. Falls can be especially scary for older people, who can suffer serious injuries and end up doubting their own ability to move around safely.
A fair settlement offer would address economic damages, like medical expenses and lost wages, but it also needs to help make up for noneconomic damages. This includes things like anxiety, PTSD, and pain and suffering that followed your accident. Older fall victims are especially likely to suffer from mental health issues after a fall, and that can affect their ability to live a full life even if they recover from physical injuries.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation
If you are interested in holding a negligent property owner accountable, we want to hear from you. Contact the Wilton Law Firm and schedule a consultation. This first meeting is free and there’s no obligation, so find out more about your legal options today.
