When patrons and other visitors go to stores, hotels, offices and other commercial or private buildings, they have every reason to expect the stairways they use to be safe. However, they may end up tumbling down due to unsafe property conditions. 

A 2018 study that looked at emergency room visits found that 24 million people in the United States sought medical care during that time for injuries related to stairway falls. The victims of those falls spanned all age groups, not just the very young or very old.

While some stairway falls may be the result of lapses in attention while walking, using both hands to carry things instead of using the handrail and other “user errors,” many such falls can be attributed to inadequate maintenance or stairway hazards that property owners failed to address. These include:

  • Slippery surfaces — Stairs can become slippery due to the misapplication of wax on their surface during cleaning or due to spills that are not promptly cleaned up. Outdoor stairways can also become slick due to untreated (or partially treated) ice and snow.

  • Poorly maintained flooring — Worn treads and damaged flooring are also common dangers. Loose or snagged carpeting on stairs can also be an issue, as well as peeling linoleum.

  • Structural defects — Uneven risers can make climbing or descending stairs dangerous and unpredictable. Loose, missing or incorrectly positioned handrails are another common hazard. A minor slip can turn into a fall when the handrail does not support the person who grabs it. 

  • Inadequate lighting — There should be light at both landings and enough illumination to ensure each stair is visible. Visibility issues can lead to people slipping or tripping and falling down an entire flight of stairs. 

Tennessee's premises liability law makes property owners responsible for unsafe property conditions. Stairs are hazardous even under the best conditions, making their maintenance of the utmost importance. 

The failure to secure loose handrails, replace burned-out bulbs or routinely inspect stairways for spills are all forms of negligence. When businesses and commercial property owners fail to address obvious or known safety hazards promptly, their negligent facility maintenance can create liability for any injuries that may occur. 

Anyone injured due to hazardous stairway conditions may need assistance from a slip-and-fall accident attorney to hold negligent property owners accountable. Victims can bring a premises liability lawsuit against the business or property owner. Timely action is of the utmost importance, as Tennessee imposes a one-year statute of limitations for such lawsuits.

The legal team at Massengill, Caldwell & Coughlin, P.C. in Bristol helps people injured by unsafe property conditions pursue their options for compensation. We represent clients throughout the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia area. Call 423-797-6022 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.