A trip to a retail store or to any other commercial property should not end in injury. Yet, accidents on stairways are surprisingly common and can have devastating consequences. If you have been hurt after falling on a set of stairs, it’s important to understand that the accident may not have been your fault and that you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries.

Stairway falls often result from hazardous conditions that the property owner or manager should have addressed. Some of the most frequent causes are:

• Irregular stair construction — You expect each step you take to be the same as the last. Building codes demand uniformity in the height and depth of stairs for this very reason. When a single step is unexpectedly taller, shorter, or deeper than the others, it can disrupt your natural walking rhythm, causing a loss of balance and a serious fall, especially when descending.

• Defective or improper handrails — Bannisters or handrails are crucial to safety on stairways. This is particularly true for seniors, children and individuals with mobility challenges. A handrail that is installed too high or too low cannot offer proper support. Worse, a rail that is loose or poorly secured can break away when you need it most.

• Neglected maintenance — Stairs endure constant foot traffic and must be properly maintained. Over time, steps can become broken or loose. Carpeting can become worn, torn or frayed, creating a tripping hazard. The protective nosings on the edge of steps can come loose. Any of these elements can easily catch a toe or cause your foot to slip, leading to a fall.

• Dangerously slick surfaces — Steps can become slippery due to spilled drinks, greasy residues or even water left behind from recent mopping. Sometimes, the material used for the stairs, such as highly polished stone or tile, may not offer enough traction. To prevent falls, stairways should be made of non-slip materials and be kept clean, dry, and free of foreign substances.

• Poor illumination — Inadequate lighting can cast shadows or create dark patches that make it difficult to judge distances and see the edges of steps clearly. This danger is magnified when stairs have other defects, like irregular dimensions or an unexpected step at the bottom.

• Absence of warning signs — A single step or a short flight of stairs in an unexpected area can be a major hazard. If customers or visitors aren't properly warned of a change in elevation, they can easily miss the step and fall. Proper signage is essential to alert people to potential dangers.

Property owners and managers have a legal duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. If they breach this duty — for instance, by their failure to fix a broken step or clean up a spill — they can be held legally and financially liable for resulting injuries to visitors. 

In some cases, liability may extend beyond the property owner or manager. A maintenance company hired to care for the property could be partially at fault. Likewise, if the stairs were improperly designed or constructed in a way that violates building codes, the original builder or architect could also be held responsible. An experienced New Jersey premises liability attorney can investigate the circumstances, identify the at-fault parties and fight to secure the financial compensation you deserve.

At Brown, Novick & McKinley Attorneys at Law in Woodbury, we have extensive experience representing people hurt in slips and falls and other premises accidents. We serve clients in Gloucester County and throughout New Jersey. Please call 866-942-4909 or contact us online for a free consultation.