California Staircase Accident Attorneys | California Stairway Fall Injury Lawyers

Falls from staircases and stairways cause serious injuries.  Most often staircase falls result from some loss of balance that causes a person to either fall forward or backward unexpectedly, leading to broken bones, fractures, serious injuries like brain injuries and spinal cord injuries and even death. Depending on the nature of the fall, some victims of staircase slip and fall accidents may be entitled to compensation for their injuries under premises liability law, if the property owner was aware of a dangerous condition on a stairway but did nothing to correct it or warn visitors of the condition, or if the property owner should have known about the dangerous condition, if a "reasonable" person would have found the problem and taken steps to prevent it.

Types of Staircase Fall Injuries

Staircase falls are a common type of slip and fall accident. Thousands of people are seriously injured and hundreds of people die in staircase falls and stairwell fall accidents every year. The most serious staircase accident injuries occur when a person falls forward, potentially causing a number of serious injuries including fractured and broken bones, trimalleolar ankle fractures and other ankle injuries, cracked ribs, hip fracture (acetabular fracture) injuries, hand injuries, and even head and brain injuries. Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to serious injury or death in staircase falls. If you have been injured in a staircase fall or stairway accident in California, you should contact an attorney with experience handling CA staircase accidents and stairwell falls. Depending on the cause of your staircase accident, the property owner or party responsible for the maintenance of the building where the accident occurred may be responsible for your injuries.

Causes of California Staircase Accidents

Stairways are one of the most dangerous places in private homes, parking structures, public office buildings, retail stores and shopping malls.  Common causes of staircase fall accidents include environmental factors like slippery substances on staircases, loose or missing handrails and debris left on stairs. Many staircase accidents may be prevented with proper maintenance of the staircase. Staircase runners, a strip of carpet going down the stairs can prevent injury if properly installed, but can be a tripping hazard and injury catalyst if too thick or improperly installed.

Escalator Accidents and Injuries

According to a report on the CBS Early Show, an estimated 10,000 people visit emergency rooms every year because of escalator accidents. The California staircase accident lawyers at Estey & Bomberger, LLP also represent victims of escalator accidents and moving walkway falls.  Children, especially those under 5 years old, are particularly susceptible to serious injuries from escalators, and may suffer amputation injuries when they become caught or entrapped in dangerous gaps in the escalator as it is moving.  Escalators move at about 90 feet per minute and do not stop when a toe, finger, hand or foot is entrapped, which can cause further injury.  Some of these escalator accidents could be easily prevented with proper warnings and regular inspections and maintenance. Certain types of escalators are also known to be more hazardous than others.

Preventing Staircase Falls and Injuries

Many staircase fall accidents are preventable. If you are responsible for maintaining a stairway or staircase, make sure that the stairs are well lit, preferably with angular lighting and contrast to allow for better depth perception. Patterned carpeting should be avoided because it may disguise differences in depth.  You can prevent falls due to misjudged visibility by improving visibility of the stairway. Inspect staircases often and ensure that any debris is collected immediately, and spills and wet spots are cleaned up promptly. Maintain the stairs regularly and make sure the surface of the stairs is clean and covered with a non-slip surface. Also make sure handrails provide adequate support for those going up and down the stairs. Studies have shown that having two handrails as opposed to one handrail significantly reduce the risk of a staircase fall.

Recovering Compensation for your Stairway Accident or Stairway Fall

If you or a member of your family was injured in a staircase slip and fall accident or escalator accident, contact Estey & Bomberger for a free legal consultation with an experienced California premises liability lawyer. To speak with an attorney about your case, call (800)925-0723 or fill out our free case evaluation form. All fees are handled on a contingency fee basis. If we represent you in your accident, we will not charge any fees unless we recover money for your case. 

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