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New York City thrives on vertical construction. Because there is a natural scarcity of land, countless buildings in New York have steps and stairways.  Whether the stairways are in the building, outside of the building or underground, they can present a significant hazard to New York residents and visitors.

Even when other options are available, people often choose to take the stairs for a variety of reasons. They may be hurrying to that next appointment, consider that the stairs present a great cardio opportunity, or just don’t care for elevators. And while the stairs can be a safe and healthy option, they also present some serious risks. 

In the state of New York, it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the steps and stairways while keeping them in a reasonably safe condition. When they fail to do so, injury and even death can be the unfortunate result. 

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.

The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC, is made up of attorneys with extensive experience in step and stair accident claims. If you have been injured on a New York staircase, we will aggressively fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Where do most step and stair accidents occur?

In New York, there are lots of buildings with steps and stairs all over the city. They are located within apartment buildings for people to move from floor to floor, and many buildings have steps outside leading to the entrance.

Entrance steps tend to be dangerous because of inclement weather. There are many times when they may ice over and become slippery.

Additionally, many retail businesses have steps inside which lead to offices and these steps can often be cluttered, lack handrails, and have inadequate lighting. It is highly probable that a large number of step and stair accidents go unreported annually.

What types of conditions lead to step and stair accidents?

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.

There are many different types of conditions and circumstances that could lead to an accident or injury on steps or stairways, and most are avoidable with regular maintenance.

Here are just some of the common causes for step and stair injuries:

  • 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

I slipped and fell on a staircase. The floor was wet and the lights were out, making the whole staircase very dangerous. My back and knee were injured as well as several bruised ribs. I had to get surgery on my knee. 

A lady in my apartment community recommended Michael Lamonsoff to me when she heard what happened. They took care of me, sending a car to pick me up and bring me to the office when I called. 

I was able to talk to Mr. Lamonsoff directly about my case. I was notified of everything that happened in my case. I was always up to speed on it and I loved that. I have already recommended Mr. Lamonsoff to several people and will continue to do so.

Fauris

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Whether you were at a retail business, walking down the stairs in your apartment building, or using the stairs that are right out front, if you sustained an injury due to a step and/or stair accident, we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to call our office immediately if you have been the victim of an accident caused by unmaintained stairs, and sustained serious injuries.

We invite you to contact us for a no-cost consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact our office for a FREE CONSULTATION any time.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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