New York City Building Code Attorneys
Broken and Defective Stair Accidents in New York
New Yorkers encounter stairs each and every day. With the small amount of land left to build on and a growing population and economy in New York City, buildings are being built taller to accommodate the demand for space. As a result, this has led to an expansion of stairs and stairways that New Yorkers must traverse. Accordingly, they are more frequently exposed to the possibility of injury or death on stairways and steps that are poorly constructed and/or maintained.
According to the National Safety Council, 2,101 people died in the United States from falls on stairs and steps in 2015 with many more suffering non-lethal injuries. This is the reason that it is more crucial than ever to make sure that stairs and stairways are properly constructed, cleaned, and maintained in order to prevent injury or death. The New York City Building Code regulates residential and commercial property construction and repair. It includes the standards for building stairs and stairways that are necessary to prevent accidents from occurring. Unfortunately, accidents still occur due to defective and broken stairs and when they do, it is important to know who is responsible for the resulting injuries.
Who Is Responsible If I Am Injured?
In New York, the owners of residential or commercial property have a duty to make sure that visitors and residents do not have their safety unreasonably compromised. When the owner of the property knows or should know of a potential risk, they must either fix it or properly warn you of the potential danger. If they fail to do so, they have breached their duty to you and can be held accountable for their negligence. In addition, depending upon the circumstances, the building management and/or the maintenance company responsible may also be held responsible for their negligence.
Proving the parties responsible for stairway and steps accidents can sometimes be difficult. An attorney must first prove that the building owner, management company, and/or maintenance company knew or should have known of the condition that caused the accident before the accident occurred. Further, since there may be multiple negligent parties that are responsible for an accident, it is essential to retain a highly qualified attorney to determine this. The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff and our personal injury attorneys specializing in premises liability have extensive experience in handling stairway accident cases. The firm aggressively litigates against negligent defendants in both residential and commercial buildings and are unyielding in holding them accountable for their clients.
How Do Broken Or Defective Stairs Lead To Injury?
Accidents and injuries on stairs are most commonly caused by:
- Stairs built without a permit or not built to code
- Wet or icy stairs
- Recently mopped or waxed stairs
- Worn or defective steps or stair treads
- Broken or damages steps
- Uneven steps or risers of differing heights
- Non-visible stair edges
- Stairs covered in garbage, debris and or liquids
- Debris, tools or materials left on stairs by other employers, especially construction companies.
- Inadequate or missing handrails and/or guard rails
- Insufficient lighting
If you have suffered an injury on stairs due to the negligence of others, please contact us to set up a free consultation immediately. Time is of the essence. We can investigate, photograph, videotape and take witness statements to document the accident and hold the correct parties responsible for your injuries.
What Types Of Injuries Might Occur?
The most common types of injuries from stair accidents include:
- Head and shoulder injuries
- Neck and back injuries including whiplash
- Broken or fractured bones
- Sprained ligaments, tendons, and muscles
- Cuts, abrasions, and bruises
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff will seek compensation for all of the damages you have experienced resulting from your accident. We will forcefully litigate cases for your physical pain and suffering, any lost wages and income that you may have sustained, as well as the medical expenses that you have or will incur. Our firm takes all types of injury claims related to broken or defective stairs. From sprain and strains to serious and catastrophic loss, including death, our personal injury attorneys can help you or your loved ones receive the reward you deserve.
What Should I Do If I Suffer An Injury?
The first and most vital thing you need to do in the event of an injury is seek medical attention as soon as possible. Not only is your health the most important thing, but getting a doctor to diagnose your injuries and their cause is paramount to your case. If possible, it is also imperative to collect as much information as you can at the scene of the accident. You should take the following steps in the event that you suffer an injury as a result of negligent construction and/or maintenance of steps and stairways:
- If you are able to, use your cell phone to take as many pictures as you can to ensure that you clearly identify the condition that led to your injury, your injury, and the surrounding area.
- If there are any witnesses to the incident, ask them to write down a statement regarding what they saw. A witness can write out their version of events in their own words and then sign and date it. If it can also be notarized, it will be legally sufficient.
- It is also important to call the building management as soon as possible to report the accident. They should complete an incident report that will further solidify the chain of events that led to your injury.
Contact Our Office
If you or someone you know was injured because of an accident on negligently constructed and/or maintained stairs, contact us immediately for a free consultation with one of our experienced premises liability lawyers. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff have over 100 years of combined experience and are ready to assist you today. You can call our office at 212-962-1020 (toll free at 877-MSL-4LAW or 877-675-4529), or Send us an e-mail
