Stairwell Accidents

Accidents in stairwells can happen to anyone and can result in serious injuries such as head trauma, neck and spine injuries, broken bones, and in some cases, death. Our Massachusetts stairwell accident attorneys have experience handling a variety of stairway accidents and slip and fall accidents.

Often the biggest concern facing stairway accident victims is paying for medical costs, so making sure that you get the quality medical care you need is our attorneys’ the first priority. We can also help victims and their family recover compensation for pain and suffering, rehabilitation and long-term care costs, lost wages, and other damages.

What Causes Stairway Accidents?

Stairwell accidents happen under many different circumstances, and, depending on those circumstances, the property owner may be found reckless or negligent. Missing or broken handrails, slippery steps, poor lighting, and broken or collapsing steps can all contribute to stairway accidents. In addition, accidents sometimes occur when there is a maintenance issue with the threshold where the stairs meet the floor or the door meets the floor. Whether at a restaurant, school, museum, office, shopping center, hospital, hotel, government building, or other space, properties owners have a responsibility to appropriately maintain public stairways and prevent accidents. They are expected replace light bulbs, maintain handrails, and ensure that liquid spills are cleaned up in a timely fashion.

However, stairway accidents can also occur because of a design flaw. For instance, if the steps are uneven heights they can disorient someone and result in dangerous missteps. The Staircase: Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design states that often, it is the first two and the last two steps that pose the greatest risk, and that a great number stair-related injuries result from stair uses.

Stairway accidents can also occur on construction sites and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has very specific safety guidelines regarding industrial stairs. For instance, fixed stairways must be designed to carry five times the normal load anticipated but never less than a moving concentrated load of 1,000 pounds.

Filing a Massachusetts Stairway Accident Claim or Lawsuit

Victims of a stairway accident or fall are often faced with a confusing array of questions. For instance, “Was it my fault or the property owner’s? Was there something they should have done to prevent it? And who’s going to pay for my emergency room visit?”

Our Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts lawyers can help. We have decades of experience working with insurance companies, management companies, trusts, and other entities to ensure that accident victims receive the medical care they need and the monetary compensation they deserve. Clients appreciate our ability to compassionately listen to their needs and aggressively advocate for them with insurance companies and potentially negligent parties. We can examine the accident site to determine if the property owner may be at fault and also look at your medical records to calculate future costs and other damages.

In addition to our solid track record of results, we pride ourselves on being available to clients when they need us. We understand that handling a serious injury can be stressful for the victim and his or her family, so our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Clients can also reach us by email and expect an answer within four hours, often within one hour.

To speak with an experienced Massachusetts stairway accident lawyer at Altman & Altman, LLP, call 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 (toll free) or contact us online. Our personal injury law firm offers a free initial consultation to new prospective clients so that we can discuss your legal options.