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Proving Fault in Stair Accidents

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Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers help those injured in stair accidents.Most people are aware that if you slip and fall on someone else’s property, there is a good chance that the property owner is liable. What some may not know is that accidents on stairs are also due to property owner negligence. There are certain conditions that determine if the property owner is at-fault. These include one of the following being true:

  • The owner or an employee of the premises caused the hazardous surface
  • The owner or an employee of the premises knew of the danger but failed to remedy it
  • The owner or an employee of the premises should have known of the danger

Hidden Defects

When it comes to liability, part of the problem stems from the difficulty in determining defects, even after an accident, since many times they remain hidden. Such defects or conditions include:

  • Worn-Down Carpet: While extreme wear and tear is easy for visitors to identify and avoid, worn-down carpet or wood is most dangerous when only slightly worn, as it is not so easily seen ahead of time.
  • Wet or Icy Outdoor Stairs: Though people are required to use extra caution in inclement weather, such as snow or rain, outdoor stairs must be maintained to avoid excessive buildup.
  • Building Code Violations: Uneven stair height and depth is a very favorable building code violation for those injured in stair accidents. Many building codes require handrails for certain types of stairs. If handrails are missing where they are required by code, or if they are the wrong height or width for what is required, potential accidents can occur.

Additional Factors in Liability

It is important to keep additional factors in mind. Insurance companies will look at whether the plaintiff was negligent. Comparative negligence helps measure the plaintiff’s own carelessness in contributing to their own accident. It is also imperative to know your local city or county building code to determine if the stairs at issue failed to meet local specifications. Even the smallest code failure can help you make a good case for premises liability.

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates Help Those Injured in Stair Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident, it can have long-lasting and severe physical, mental, and emotional repercussions. It can affect many different things, including your ability to work. The Philadelphia slip and fall lawyers at Nerenberg Law Associates work to obtain the justice you deserve. For a free consultation, contact us online or call us at 215-569-9100 today. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.