Have you fallen and suffered injuries in a stairwell in someone else’s apartment building in New York City? If your fall accident happened because of an unsafe condition with the stairs, you may have a legal claim against the building owner or other parties. You will need an experienced fall accident lawyer to determine who has liability for the stairway accident and guide you through the claims process.

David Resnick & Associates, P.C. can identify at-fault parties, document your present and future financial losses, and pursue the financial recovery you need through a claim settlement or lawsuit. Contact us today for a free legal consultation. A defective-stairway fall-accident attorney can review the circumstances of your accident and discuss your legal options to seek justice.

Injured in a Stairway Fall in New York City?

If you need to pursue compensation for injuries you sustained in a fall caused by a defective stairway, having the legal support of an experienced personal injury attorney gives you the best chance of obtaining accountability. Let the legal team at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. help. We have a strong track record of success in New York City fall accident cases.

Our notable results include a $1.925 million settlement for a woman who fell on a slippery staircase in her apartment building and suffered severe injuries that caused her to go into labor. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our record shows we handle serious injury cases and are committed to providing exceptional legal representation. As a past client said about hiring David Resnick & Associates to handle their accident claim:

“I definitely recommend this firm. They work hard for you, and they stand for what’s right. If you have a fall or accident, please call Mr. Resnick. His awesome staff will keep you posted on all aspects of the issue, and you will be guided professionally and accurately. He is caring, and he understands your concerns and listens to you. I strongly recommend Resnick and Associates.” – Carlos Blue Pony

How an Experienced New York City Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Defective Stairway Accident

A knowledgeable slip-and-fall accident attorney at David Resnick & Associates, P.C. can help you seek compensation for your medical expenses and lost income after a defective stairwell accident. Our firm will take the following steps:

  • Obtain critical evidence from the stairwell accident, including incident reports, surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, and medical records
  • Review the facts of the case to identify potentially liable parties and identify the insurance policies available to cover your losses
  • Document your injuries and medical expenses and ongoing medical needs related to your fall
  • File insurance claims and submit demand letters to begin pursuing a settlement of your injury claims
  • Negotiate with insurers and defense counsel
  • File a personal injury lawsuit if necessary and be prepared to present your case to a judge and jury
  • Handle court litigation, including pleadings, discovery, pretrial motions, trial, and posttrial proceedings

Common Defective Stairway Hazards

Staircases may have defects that cause people to slip, trip, and fall down the stairs, sustaining severe injuries. Common examples of defective stairway hazards include:

  • Uneven step heights
  • Varying step depth
  • Excessively steep staircases
  • Worn treads
  • Damaged or worn steps, including rotted or broken wood, cracked concrete, torn or loose carpeting, or broken tiles
  • Unsecured step pads or stairwell runners
  • Slippery surfaces from spills, tracked-in water, snow, ice, or mud, high-gloss paint, or polished stone steps
  • Inadequate stairwell lighting
  • Broken or missing handrails
  • Clutter, debris, or trash left on steps

Where NYC Defective Stairway Accidents Occur

Since most buildings in New York City have multiple stories, accidents involving stairs can happen at nearly any property. Accidents most frequently occur in high-traffic buildings such as:

  • Apartment buildings, especially walk-up buildings without elevators
  • Office buildings
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Museums
  • Theaters
  • Department stores
  • Courthouses
  • Government buildings
  • Airports
  • Train and subway stations

When Is a Stairway Considered Defective?

A staircase may be found defective when its design or construction fails to meet industry safety standards or state and local building codes governing handrail placement, riser height, run depth, and stairway width. A stairway can also have defects due to poor workmanship or substandard building materials, leading to premature wear and tear, even with ordinary use. Defects can also arise from poor maintenance, which may result in broken or rotting wood, tile, or handrails, or worn or torn mats or runners.

Injuries Caused by Defective Stairs

A defect or hazard on a staircase can cause someone to slip, trip, and fall. The person may fall onto the stairs or fall down the staircase, potentially suffering bone fractures or other serious injuries. Common injuries that occur in defective staircase accidents include:

  • Dislocated joints and ligament or tendon injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Facial injuries
  • Head trauma
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal organ trauma
  • Spine injuries

Who May Be Liable for a Defective Stairway Fall?

The landlord, building owner, housing authority, or other parties may be legally responsible for maintaining a building’s stairways in safe condition. If they fail to fulfill their duties, a person injured in a fall on a defective stairway may pursue a legal claim to recover compensation. Parties who may have liability for a person’s fall in a defective stairway include:

  • Building owners: The law typically holds a property owner liable for a visitor’s injuries when an accident occurs because of a hazardous condition the owner negligently failed to fix or warn visitors about.
  • Property management companies: A residential or commercial landlord may hire a property management company to run their buildings. Those companies may have contractual obligations to inspect properties for hazards, perform standard maintenance, and fix any defects.
  • Maintenance companies: Property owners and management companies may contract companies to perform maintenance and repairs, including keeping stairwells in good condition and repairing damage or wear and tear.
  • Construction companies: A construction company may bear responsibility for a defective stairway caused by shoddy construction work that causes a person to fall and suffer serious injuries.

Compensation in a Defective Stairway Fall Case

A defective stairway fall claim offers an accident victim the opportunity to seek compensation from the property owner or others who bear liability under New York law for a serious fall accident. A person injured in a defective stairway fall accident may demand compensation for the following:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs, including emergency treatment, surgeries, and physical therapy
  • Long-term disability care expenses for severe injuries that result in prolonged or permanent impairments, such as TBIs or spinal cord injuries
  • Lost wages or income for the time that an accident victim misses work due to their injuries
  • Lost future earning potential resulting from permanent disabilities that limit working ability
  • Physical pain and anguish
  • Emotional trauma and reduced quality of life

Proving a New York City Defective Stairway Claim

A fall victim pursuing a defective staircase claim against a building owner or other parties must show that their negligence caused the fall.

Evidence that can help prove a defective stairway claim includes:

  • Accident scene photos documenting the dangerous condition of the staircase
  • Maintenance or repair records
  • Incident reports of prior falls on the staircase
  • Surveillance video
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Emails or written correspondence to or from the building owner or property manager regarding the unsafe stairway
  • Construction, engineering, or building safety expert reports and testimony

What to Do After Falling on Defective Stairs

When you suffer injuries in a fall on building stairs due to their defective condition, prompt action can preserve your legal options for seeking compensation for your harm and loss. Things you should do if you get hurt falling down defective stairs in someone else’s building include:

  • Notify the building owner or manager of the accident and request a copy of the accident report and any surveillance footage.
  • Seek prompt medical attention for your fall injuries.
  • Follow your doctor’s orders and keep follow-up appointments.
  • Obtain copies of patient records of your accident injury treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Keep all bills or invoices for medical care and home support services needed for your injuries.
  • Collect copies of your income statements if you miss time from work during your recovery.

You should consult a fall accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and whether you have a right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. New York CPLR § 214 imposes a three-year statute of limitations to file an injury claim. If you fall in a stairwell in a city-owned building, such as an apartment building managed by the New York City Housing Authority, New York General Municipal Law § 50-e requires you to notify the city of your pending accident claim within 90 days.

Contact a New York City Defective Stairway Fall Accident Lawyer

Have you suffered a fall due to a dangerous condition on a stairwell in a New York City building? You may have a right to demand compensation if your injury resulted from negligence by the building owner or another party. Contact David Resnick & Associates, P.C. for a free, no-obligation case review. A defective stairway fall accident lawyer can review the steps available to you and help you seek the full compensation available.