We often don’t think of staircases as hazardous since most of us use them daily. Yet, staircase accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the country. A study of U.S. emergency room statistics shows that an average of 1 million people are injured in staircase accidents every year. Many people suffer minor sprains and strains, but others suffer serious fractures. Even more alarmingly, upward of two thousand people die every year from staircase slip and fall accidents.
A staircase accident might result from someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been injured in a staircase accident, speak with an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Our lawyers have numerous years of experience helping victims of staircase accidents fight for the compensation they deserve. Call us today at 630-898-7800 to schedule a free consultation.
Common Causes of Staircase Accidents
Staircase accidents can have a wide variety of causes. You might think you fell on a staircase simply because you weren’t paying attention. But, whether you realize it or not, the slip and fall may be due to another factor, such as:
- Wet or icy stairs
- Lack of or defective handrails.
- Uneven stair surface
- Improper riser heights or depth
- Defective staircase design
- Insufficient lighting
- Poor maintenance
Common Staircase Accident Injuries
When you stop to consider how much potential for injury staircases hold, it’s almost surprising that more people aren’t injured every year. Staircases are steep, the stairs have hard edges, you usually land on a rigid, uneven surface if you fall. A staircase-related accident can produce any of the following common injuries:
- Cuts and scrapes: Such injuries can range from minor scratches to serious lacerations needing stitches or other medical attention.
- Sprains and Strains: Approximately one-third of people who have a staircase accident sprain tendons or strain their muscles. Some victims continue to feel pain in the affected area long after the accident has occurred and require physical therapy to recover.
- Soft tissue injuries: Some 23 percent of people suffer bruises or contusions after a fall, some of which may require continued medical treatment and therapy.
- Fractured and broken bones: Around 19 percent of those in a staircase accident fracture their bones, particularly older adults. Broken bones are also common.
- Head and neck injuries: Staircase accident victims can sustain a traumatic brain injury that ranges from mild to severe. Victims can also suffer nerve damage in their neck and spinal cord, which can result in paralysis.
If you’ve been injured in a staircase accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you didn’t lose consciousness.
Liability in Staircase Accidents
Staircase accidents can occur anywhere, including at work, in a store or office building, a public space, someone’s private home or even your own. The accident might have been avoidable in some cases, and the property owner or a third party may be at fault. Potentially liable parties may include:
- The owner of a building or space whose staircase violate building codes
- The owner of a building or space who fails to reasonably warn of or remedy a dangerous condition on a staircase or in a stairwell.
- A third party who designed or manufactured a defective staircase.
If you are injured on a staircase at work, workers’ compensation insurance will likely cover most of the financial damages you suffer. However, you may be entitled to recover additional damages from a third party who was at fault, in certain situations.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Aurora, Illinois
Staircase accident cases can be tricky. The defendant may argue that you are responsible for your injuries because you weren’t paying attention, acted carelessly, or otherwise acted improperly on the staircase. You need an experienced personal injury attorney to gather the facts and evidence necessary to prove that another party has legal responsibility for your injuries, and that you should be fairly compensated.
If you’ve been injured in a staircase accident, or lost a loved one due to a staircase accident, contact the attorneys at Cullotta Bravo Law Firm to discuss the case and your options. Call today at 630-225-8341 or contact us online.
