Each year, thousands of people suffer serious injuries due to falls. Falls commonly occur in the home and in businesses. Falls can happen to anyone at any age but older Americans are particularly vulnerable to falls. Many of them are seriously injured, and some are disabled. For example, according to the CDC in 1996, 8,500 people over age 65 died because of falls. Falls may be caused by hazards that are easy to overlooked but easy to fix. Falls frequently occur because of hazards and defects associated with steps or stairs. Homeowners and businesses may be liable if they fail to maintain their stairs or steps in good repair or fail to fix or warn about a defect or hazard that they knew about or should have known about.

Anyone injured in a stair or step accident should try to determine the cause of the accident. If you believe you, a love one, or friends have suffered injury due to a defective or hazardous stairs, you may have a valid injury claim and entitled to compensation. Legal claims involving stairs and steps injuries may involve complex legal, medical and technical issues. The following are a few important legal, factual and evidentiary matters to consider when evaluating a claim.

• Were stairs and steps defective or improperly maintained?

• Did the stairs comply with building codes?

• Was there an object on the stairs?

• Were there broken, uneven, or loose stairs?

• Was the proper illumination on the stairs?

• Was a bulb burnt out?

• Were the stair handrails loose or broken?

• Was there a handrail  only on one side of the stairs?

• Was the carpet on the steps loose or torn?

• Was there a non-slip rubber treads on the stairs?

• Was the stairs improperly waxed or slippery?

• Were the stairs too narrow?

• Were the stairs too steep?

• Did outside stairs have proper railings and cover?

• Were there too many people on the stairs?

• Were photos or videos taken of the stairs?

• Were there any witnesses to the accident?

• Were there prior complaints of a defect or unsafe condition to the owner of the property?

• Did any other factor contribute to the accident? Shoes? Alcohol? Age?

It is important that an experienced legal team evaluate a stair accident. Complex legal, factual, and evidentiary issues may be involved. If you, a friend, or loved have sustained a fall injury, you should take immediate steps to protect your or their interest. Do not compromise your rights by making statements to the press, insurance investigators, potential defendants, their representatives, and do not sign anything. Consider the suggestions in our accident guide, and call us immediately. We are here to help. At Larry King, P.C., we recognize the unique issues pertaining to your claim. You can call us at (757) 595-8100 seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. We also offer a free legal-infoline service, and you can now contact us on this web site by using our Personal Injury Contact form. We are committed to doing the extra things it takes to help our clients. If you would like to know more, make a selection from the above box.