An accident on a staircase is dangerous. A study cited by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that more than one million Americans seek professional medical care for falls on stairs each year. These accidents can lead to very serious injuries, including broken bones, concussions, spinal cord trauma, and even death. A business or property owner may potentially be liable for a staircase accident. Our Kansas City premises liability attorney highlights key things to know about staircase accidents and property owner liability in Missouri.
Understanding Premises Liability Law in Missouri
In Missouri, property owners and occupiers (businesses) have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises. Staircases and stairwells are no exceptions. Under premises liability law, business and property owners may be held liable for injuries caused by hazardous conditions on a stairway. To establish liability, victims must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the danger and failed to address it within a reasonable timeframe.
Examples of Dangerous Safety Hazards on Staircases
To be clear, neither a business nor a property owner in Kansas City is automatically liable for a staircase accident. Under premises liability law, a victim must prove that their accident happened, at least in part, due to negligence. Some examples of hazards that may constitute negligence include:
- Broken Stairs: Broken stairs are dangerous. Cracked or uneven steps can lead to trip and fall accidents. They pose a serious safety hazard for anyone using the staircase.
- Wet/Slippery Surfaces: Wet or slippery surfaces are especially hazardous on or near stairs. They can lead to catastrophic slip-and-fall accidents.
- Inadequate Lighting: Dim or absent lighting makes it difficult to see potential hazards on staircases. Property owners need to ensure that lighting is adequate in stairwells.
- Lack of Handrails: Without sturdy handrails, people may struggle to maintain balance while climbing or descending stairs—especially on steep staircases.
Victims Need Justice and Full Financial Compensation
Were you or a loved one hurt in a fall accident on a staircase in Kansas City? You have the right under Missouri law to seek compensation for the full extent of your damages, including non-economic losses. Our Kansas City premises liability lawyers are prepared to help you fight for the maximum compensation, including for:
- Emergency room care;
- Hospital bills;
- Other medical costs;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of wages;
- Loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental distress;
- Long-term disability;
- Loss of quality of life; and
- Wrongful death.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Kansas City Staircase Fall Accident Lawyer Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City premises liability attorney has the skills and experience to handle all types of staircase fall accidents. If you or your loved one suffered a serious injury in a fall on a staircase, we are here to help. Contact us right away for your free, no-strings-attached case review. With an office in Kansas City, we handle premises liability cases in Missouri and Kansas.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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