Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere—in an apartment building, a grocery store, or even walking out your own front door. However, when they occur in a stairwell, the injuries can be severe. Falling on a flat surface is dangerous enough. When a person falls down a flight of stairs, they risk injury from multiple impacts.
The property owner could be liable if you slip and fall on stairs. At Freidman, Levy, Goldfarb & Green, our team of New York slip and fall lawyers could help you pursue justice so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Injured in a Slip and Fall? Let Us Fight for Your Rights!
What qualifies as a stairwell slip and fall?
Stairwells can be inside a building, but they are also frequently outdoors. The risk of injury in each type can vary. For example, outdoor stairs risk becoming slippery due to weather conditions. Interior stairs are more likely to be dangerous when they are dimly lit and contain debris or loose railings.
Sometimes, a person falls in a stairwell due to their own carelessness or clumsiness. For example, they may be hurrying down the stairs to meet a friend for lunch and slip because of their footwear. However, many accidents would not occur except for the failure of a property owner or manager to keep them free of hazards in an office building. In these cases, a slip and fall at the workplace could result in a viable claim for compensation.
Injuries from a slip and fall accident
Falling down stairs can result in a wide range of serious physical injuries. Their nature will largely depend on the part of the body that absorbs the impact. The most severe slip and fall injuries occur when the head and neck are compromised; other types include:
- Fractured bones
- Sprains and strains
- Ligament injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Bruising
Serious injuries require immediate medical attention. It is always in your best interest to seek medical care immediately. The sooner you address your injuries, the more likely you will prevent them from worsening. Additionally, immediately seeking treatment can strengthen your personal injury case against the property owner. Finally, creating a paper trail of hospital and doctor’s visits is valuable evidence for your attorney.
What to do after a fall
What you do after falling in a stairwell could impact your health and future legal claims. Take the following steps to protect your rights.
- Seek medical care. As noted above, any delay in seeking medical treatment will work against you. So, talk to a doctor right away.
- Report the fall. Let the building owner or manager know about the accident. Ideally, inform them of the fall before you have left the premises. If the owner or occupier has a system for making accident reports, request that one is created for you.
- Document everything. If possible, take pictures and write down everything about your fall. From photos of the hazard that caused you to trip to notes about your pain–this evidence could be invaluable to you.
- Speak to an attorney before you speak to the other party’s insurance company. You may be offered a quick settlement that doesn’t address all the medical issues you may have now and in the future.
Contact New York Stairwell Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer for a free consultation
You deserve compensation if you have fallen in a stairwell and sustained serious injuries. The property owner failed to prevent your accident, and their negligence means they could be liable for your damages.
We are ready to serve as your advocate at Friedman, Levy, Goldfarb, Green & Bagley, P.C. throughout this process. If you are ready to move forward with your claim, reach out for a free consultation as soon as possible.
