If you’ve suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident on stairs in Boston, you’re not alone in facing the aftermath. Our team of Boston slip and fall accident lawyers specializes in handling cases involving stair incidents, offering compassionate support and personalized representation to help you navigate the legal process. With the assistance of experienced Boston personal injury lawyers, we’ll thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your accident and advocate vigorously for your rights.
Have you or someone you love been injured or died due to a Boston slip-and-fall stair accident? Better Phone Stone today®. Our personal injury attorneys have over 70 years of combined experience during which we have helped thousands of satisfied clients. Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free case consultation – by phone, face-to-face, or by video call, at your convenience.
Can You File a Lawsuit For Falling Down Stairs?
When we slip and fall on stairs in a public place, our first reaction may be to look around us to see how many people noticed our fall. Many people fail to file a lawsuit because they are ashamed or embarrassed and blame themselves for what happened. However, a person’s clumsiness is not always the cause of the incident, but slip-and-falls on stairs are often due to broken or defective stairs and property owner negligence.
If a hazardous stair condition caused your injury, you should schedule an appointment with a Boston premises liability attorney today. All property owners in Boston have a legal duty of care, or an obligation, to keep their properties safe and free from hazards for those who enter there. This means that property owners must do everything reasonably possible to ensure all stairs and escalators are safe.
If you have been injured on stairs in Boston due to a negligent homeowner, business owner, or government agency, you may be able to pursue financial damages. In order for your claim to be successful, your personal injury lawyer is first going to need to establish the following:
- The property owner was aware of or should have been aware of the hazard to visitors
- The property owner failed to take steps to correct the hazardous condition
- The property owner’s negligence was the direct cause of your injuries
Common Causes of Boston, Massachusetts Stairway Accidents
Slip-and-falls on any surface can lead to serious injury, but on a staircase, the results can be even more catastrophic. The following are some common causes of stairway incidents.
Ice and snow
Bostonians are no strangers to inclement weather. We know winter is going to bring snow, ice, and slippery roadways. Property owners are thus obligated to clear ice and snow from outdoor stairways, repair drainage issues, and put down non-slip surfaces, especially in public areas. If your stairway fall was due to excess water, ice, or snow buildup, the property owner may be held liable for your injuries.
Stair height and depth
Building codes specify the sizes of risers and runners on stairs, and how even each step should be. If these building codes were not properly met, the property owner and/or the contractor could be held liable for your injuries. A property code violation provides strong evidence in a premises liability case where.
Handrails
Handrails provide a person with balance and stability and are legally required for most stairways. There are building codes that require handrails to be of a certain height, width, and length. If a handrail is missing, broken, or improperly installed, the property owner could be found liable for your accident.
Poor lighting
If a stairwell is improperly lit, it may be hard to identify the beginning and end of a stairway, obstructions, and potential hazards like ice. A Boston property owner who hasn’t installed adequate lighting or that knew a light was broken and didn’t replace it could be to blame for the stairway accident.
Slippery surface
Waxed tile, wood, or stone and worn carpeting are examples of slippery stair surfaces. A shiny, highly polished tile or wood floor may look attractive, but when a business owner trades appearance for safety, he or she could be held responsible for negligence in a slip and fall on stairs case.
What to Do After a Fall In a Boston, MA Stairwell
You’re holding onto the handrail as you’re walking downstairs to the second level of a restaurant in Boston. Suddenly, the handrail comes loose from the wall, causing you to stumble, lose your balance, and fall. What should you do next?
The actions that you take immediately following a staircase fall could determine whether or not you get stuck covering the medical expenses for your injuries. If possible, take the following steps after your fall to increase your chances of recovering financial compensation:
- Seek medical attention. Your health is of course your top priority after an incident. If you feel like you’re unable to move, don’t hesitate to call out for help or call an ambulance. Seeking immediate medical attention is also good for when you file a claim, as you will have medical records documenting the extent of your injuries.
- Document the scene. If you are able to do so, take pictures of anything at the scene of the incident that might help establish the cause of your fall. This might include clutter on the stairs, wet or uneven flooring, or torn carpeting. Also, make a note of the exact day time, and location where the incident happened.
- Speak to witnesses. After your fall, witnesses will likely come forward and ask if you’re alright. Ask them for their contact information and if they can briefly state what they saw. Eyewitness testimonies can prove beneficial when filing your Boston premises liability claim.
- Collect evidence. We recommend that you set aside the shoes and clothing that you were wearing at the time of the stairwell accident. If you slipped on an object, such as a banana peel, gather that item and place it in an airtight container. All this evidence may prove useful when establishing fault later on.
- Speak to a Boston premises liability lawyer. Our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team understands that a stairwell accident can have a long-term effect on your health and financial security. Our lawyers will work hard to get you the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
Boston Escalator Accidents and Injuries
Escalators are an easy way to move between floors and are often found in shopping malls, airports, large office buildings, and many other locations. However, escalators, while convenient, are also massive machines that can cause serious harm when they malfunction. In fact, over 10,000 people are harmed each year in escalator accidents.
The following escalator defects and malfunctions have caused serious injury:
- Missing or broken steps
- Entrapments between the steps
- Loose or missing screws
- Spaces or gaps in the steps or plates
- Defective handrails
- Mechanical or electrical malfunctions
Escalator accidents can cause spinal cord damage, multiple bone fractures, amputations, and more. Building owners and management companies are typically to blame for escalator injuries. A personal injury lawyer can investigate the cause of the escalator incident and help you hold all negligent parties liable for their actions.
If You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall On Stairs Accident Contact Our Law Firm Today
If defective and dangerous stairways are to blame for your injuries, don’t hesitate to speak to a Boston stairway accident lawyer about your legal options. Whether your fall happened on private property, at a business, or in a public space owned by a government entity, Jason Stone Injury Lawyers wants to help you recover the damages you are entitled to.
If a property owner is responsible for your injuries, we can represent you in a Boston premises liability claim. Our Boston personal injury lawyers will keep negotiating your settlement until you get the maximum amount possible for your injuries. Our winning track record speaks for itself; we have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
We understand the time after a slip and fall on stairs accident can be stressful and overwhelming. That’s why we try to make your initial consultation as stress-free as possible, with No Obligation, Just Information®. Schedule your free case review with us by calling 800-577-8188 or filling out the online form.
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