Falling down the stairs can cause serious injuries, and can even lead to fatal harm in severe cases. While some falls aren’t preventable, the majority of stairway accidents wouldn’t occur but for unsafe conditions. At the office of Tetzel Law, our Massachusetts personal injury attorney will aggressively advocate for you if you’re been injured in a stairwell accident in Massachusetts. Reach out to our team by phone or online today to schedule your free consultation and learn how our attorney can help you.
Top Causes of Stairwell Accidents
A fall in a stairwell may be the result of a hazardous condition. Some of the top causes of stairwell accidents include:
- Lack of handrails
- Ice or snow buildup on stairs
- Poor maintenance
- Broken/loose stairs
- Poor lighting
- Objects on stairs
- Unsecured runners
- Torn carpet
- Broken banisters
- Building code violations
- Spills of food, drink, or other substances
The above list is not inclusive. Inappropriate behavior, such as pushing or shoving, in a stairwell could also lead to a fall. Sometimes, stairwell accidents occur as a result of an assault, which could have happened in part due to negligent security.
Injuries from Stairwell Accidents
If a person falls down a stairwell, they are at risk for serious injuries. Some of the most common stairwell injuries include:
- Bone fractures. While bone fractures can be painful and debilitating for anyone, they can be especially concerning—even deadly—for older adults.
- Traumatic brain injury. If a person hits their head during their fall, they may suffer a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. A TBI can lead to permanent or long-term problems with speech, memory, language, emotion, thinking, reason, and more.
- Internal injuries. One risk of falls is that of suffering an internal injury, including internal bleeding or organ puncture.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains and strains are common when a person falls, as the body may be forced into awkward and unnatural positions, causing damage.
Massachusetts Premises Liability Law
If you are injured in a stairwell that is owned and maintained by another party, such as a business or a landlord of an apartment building, you may have a claim for damages against the owner. Under Massachusetts premises liability law, property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties in a reasonably safe condition and remedying any known hazards within a reasonable amount of time. If you can prove that your stairwell accident and injuries would not have occurred but for a known hazard, you can hold the property owner financially liable for your economic and noneconomic damages.
Call Our Stairwell Accidents Attorney in Massachusetts Today
At the office of Tetzel Law, our Massachusetts personal injury attorney knows how terrifying it is to be involved in a stairwell accident, and that you may be dealing with physical, psychological, and financial harm. To learn more about your rights to pursue compensation and how our law firm can help you get the settlement you deserve, reach out to us at (617) 742-1700 today to schedule your free consultation. You can also send us a message online.