Stairs are common locations for slip and fall accidents just by nature. If they are dark or poorly maintained, they become even more dangerous as people try to navigate narrow or steep steps. Falls in stairwells are often worse than ordinary slip and fall accidents because they typically involve a longer fall, striking multiple steps, or hitting your head on walls or handrails.
Property owners are responsible for preventing stairwell accidents in Nashville by keeping stairs and walkways in good repair. Proving liability may require help from a slip and fall attorney familiar with the city’s building codes and applicable property laws. If you were injured in a stairwell accident, contact the attorneys at Ponce Law for advice and legal representation to get the compensation you need.
Stairwell accidents can result from ordinary use, when people climb them too fast, or fail to pay attention when going up or down stairs. However, in some cases, accidents stem from a combination of poor maintenance and other defects. Frequent issues include:
Other issues, such as water or ice in exterior stairways or debris accumulating in interior steps, can cause slip and fall injuries. Nashville property owners are responsible for preventing accidents by ensuring their stairwells are safe for use and free of obstruction.
After a stairway slip and fall accident in Nashville, injured victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a dollar amount, such as medical bills, lost wages, and potential future costs. Non-economic damages are costs related to quality of life, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment.
If you are partially responsible for your accident, you can still recover some of your damages. The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that as long as you are less than 50 percent responsible for your injuries, you may recover compensation.
For instance, if you were climbing the steps with something in both hands, but the stairway was dark and slippery, you could still recover partial damages. In situations like these, it is essential to seek legal advice.
At Ponce Law, we have more than 30 years of experience dealing with stairwell accidents in Nashville. We have helped our clients get the compensation they need for slip-and-fall injuries in dark stairways and other premises liability accidents. When you need legal advice on a difficult legal claim, call our office for a free and confidential case review.
