Stairs are so common for injuries to happen that you might find it shocking how many areas in developments, retail centers, recreational areas, and more still lack basic and proper safety precautions, with stairwell perils present. All it takes is one misstep for someone to find themselves hurdling down a flight of stairs and sustaining a serious injury. You may consider this a danger and injury relegated more to those advancing in age, but that is not so at all—as anyone can fall victim to a slippery surface, lack of a handrail, or poor lighting. The added risk for older citizens is that they could easily break a hip, an injury that can lead to further complications.

When you think about it, unless you consciously try to live, work, and shop in an area free of stairs, you most likely traverse up and down many of them throughout the day. Unconsciously, many of us navigate a flight of stairs heading down to get our morning coffee, perhaps another set or two down the stairwell on the way out of the condo, up and down another stairwell at work, and on and on—often even to include that appointment at the doctor’s office.

Common issues leading to injuries in stairwells are:

• Poor visibility
• Worn, rotted, or slippery steps
• Foreign items or objects stacked in stairwells
• Lack of railings
• Inconsistencies in stair depth

Even a minor incident can be traumatic, causing cuts, contusions, or broken ribs. It is not uncommon for major falls in stairwells to cause broken bones, internal bleeding, damage to organs, or more. There is also the potential for spinal injuries or head injuries. Some individuals who fall may lose consciousness, escalating the injuries as they tumble—or they may even fall into a coma. The road to recovery can be long-term and may cause numerous other life consequences due to medical bills and the inability to work, either temporarily or even permanently. Unfortunately, some stairwell falls are so serious that they even lead to death.

If you or a loved one have sustained injuries due to the negligence of others in stairwell construction, please contact Heintz Law now so one of our experienced attorneys can review your case, help you with any legal needs, and get you compensation that you may be owed. Call us for a free consultation now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!