Most people think of slip and fall accidents as happening in stores or open spaces. You slip on a wet spot or trip over a hidden obstacle and fall, injuring yourself. However, falling down a flight of stairs has the potential to cause more serious injuries. It is unlikely that you will only hit one step, and the steep incline has the potential to cause continued damage as you fall.
If you have suffered injury due to a dark or poorly maintained stairwell, you may have a personal injury claim against the property owner or manager who had a responsibility to keep the stairs in good condition. Stairwell accidents in Savannah are governed by state premises liability law. Contact our slip and fall attorneys for help recovering compensation for your injuries.
How Do Stairwell Injuries Differ From Other Slip and Fall Injuries?
The state requires buildings to comply with specific codes for stairwells and staircases. These are not suggestions or recommendations. If a building owner violates these codes, they can be cited by state and county code enforcement.
According to these stairwell and staircase requirements:
- Steps must be a uniform width and depth, and risers cannot be more than 7” high.
- There must be landings at the top and bottom of each staircase and intermediate landings every 12 feet for tall staircases
- There must be handrails on at least one side
- Stairwells must have at least 6’8” of headroom
- Stairwells must be well-lit, and steps and risers must be solid and stable
Our Savannah attorneys can investigate your stairway accident case for building code violations to help demonstrate that the property owner or manager was negligent in maintaining the property.
Proving Premises Liability
A property owner owes invitees an ordinary duty of care according to state law (O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1). This means they must keep the property free of known hazards and repair any damaged or dangerous objects when they learn of them.
To prove premises liability, you must show that the property owner reasonably knew of the risk and failed to take corrective action. You must also show you were lawfully on the property at the time of the incident. For instance, if the accident happened at your apartment, you would need to have your lease agreement and statements from other tenants showing that the stairs were unsafe.
A Savannah attorney with Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers can explain the evidence you need to prove your staircase accident claim. We will assist you in collecting photographic evidence, medical reports, and other evidence to demonstrate that your injuries were due to violations of the building code and the property owner knew or should have known about the danger and should have taken steps to correct it.
Call a Savannah Attorney About a Stairway Accident
Proving premises liability after stairwell accidents in Savannah can require more than just saying you slipped and fell. You may need to show that the stairs were unsafe and that the property owner knew this but failed to correct the problem. At Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, our attorneys will explain the details of premises liability. We will help you file your insurance claim and ensure you have the necessary proof to receive the compensation you deserve. Contact our team today to learn more.
N/a
