New York City Stairway Fall Injuries
Most New Yorkers use stairs every day and think very little of any danger or possible risk. A stairway makes it possible to get between floors and offer an escape from high floors in a fire or other emergency. However, because of their height and angle, a fall down a stairway can cause serious personal injury.
In New York City, many apartment buildings and commercial buildings were not built for that purpose. The staircases in those buildings need to be renovated and maintained to ensure the tenets and visitors’ safety to those buildings. It is the building owner’s or business owner’s responsibility to make sure to stairs are safe and pose no risk of injury.
Common Causes of Stairway Falls
Without continuous maintenance and safety precautions, stairs can be dangerous. Falls or accidents that occur on stairs may be the result of one of the following:
- Worn or cracked boards
- Insecure or lack of railing
- Slick, snow or ice-covered steps
- Bad lighting or proper signs
- Step or narrow staircases
- Stair covering such as carpet or grip
- Uneven or improper treads
- Foresign substances causing slippery conditions
These dangerous conditions may result from common wear and tear, negligent maintenance, or poor design. The business owner or building owner is liable if you are injured due to these conditions.
Premises Liability and Staircase Accidents
New York City stairway fall accidents are under the legal umbrella of premises liability. In these cases, the building owner, building manager or business owner may be held liable. New York City building owners and business owners have a responsibility to keep stairways safe to use residents, workers, and visitors. Management companies may try to get away with just meeting the minimum building codes to lower maintenance costs. Even if the stairs meet building codes, they still may not be safe, and the management company may still be liable for any personal injury.