Many slip or trip and fall accidents on stairs are caused by defects with the staircase. There are numerous issues that can cause someone to fall and suffer injuries, including improper height and depth of stairs, insufficient or a complete lack of lighting, improper stair markings, or failure to provide a proper handrail. If any of these issues are present, a premises liability claim is likely justified. You may be able to seek compensation from the building owner, a property management company, or any other entity (including public entities) that maintain control over the stairs.
Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook in Walnut Creek can advise you on your legal options if you fell while walking up or down a set of stairs. We are very familiar with all issues related to improper stairs, and premises liability claims in general, and can help you with a claim. Even if you are unaware of anything “wrong” with the staircase, allow us to inspect it and evaluate if there is a viable claim.
there Are Some Technical Terms For Stair Construction, Including What Is Referred To As The “rise” And “run.” What Is The Rise & Run Of A Staircase?
THERE ARE SOME TECHNICAL TERMS FOR STAIR CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS THE “RISE” AND “RUN.” WHAT IS THE RISE & RUN OF A STAIRCASE?
In stair-related trip and fall incidents, the rise and run, more commonly known as the height and depth, often cause someone to fall. If the height and depth of the stairs are inconsistent, or are simply not constructed properly, an individual can easily trip. This often occurs because the pedestrian using the stairs subconsciously expects each step to be a certain height and depth.
In a staircase or set of steps, the following components are important:
- Rise: The height of a step in relation to an adjacent step or the floor is called the rise of the step. For example, the shorter the rise, the less a person will have to lift their foot to ascend onto the stair.
- Run: The flat piece of a staircase where a person places their foot is called the run, or depth. The longer the run the more space there will be to place a foot down.
- Sufficient lighting: If the stairs are in an area that is not properly lit then an individual may have difficulty seeing where they should put their foot, causing them to trip and fall.
- Improper handrails: Many individuals reasonably rely on the handrail accompanying a set of stairs to walk up or down the staircase. Failure to have the proper handrail can cause someone to trip and fall.
building Codes
BUILDING CODES
Many staircases must meet specific requirements. Building codes are intended to ensure stairs are uniform and safe.
If you tripped and fell while walking on a staircase, then our attorneys can:
- Inspect the stairs and carefully measure each rise and run, including bringing with us highly qualified experts.
- Compare the measurements to any applicable building codes.
If stairs do not meet the standards articulated by the building code, then the stairs are defective and constitute a hazard. Stairs can be defective even if a single step has the incorrect dimensions. It is important to know that while building codes are important, you may still have a claim even without there being a code violation.
claims Of Stair Defects Are Often Irrefutable
CLAIMS OF STAIR DEFECTS ARE OFTEN IRREFUTABLE
Once our firm establishes evidence of an improper staircase, these cases are very strong and difficult to defend. A claim will be supported by objective evidence, which is the reason why we have been very successful in prevailing on these cases.
choose The Firm That Has Recovered Millions For Injured Persons
CHOOSE THE FIRM THAT HAS RECOVERED MILLIONS FOR INJURED PERSONS
Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, and our Walnut Creek stair defect attorneys, have won millions for our clients throughout the years, including many clients who were hurt on a staircase. Our experience and case results speak for themselves. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, by chatting with us through the website, filling out an intake form here, or calling our firm any time of the day or night, weekday or weekend.
