Guests and Staircase Accidents
Property owners are often very aware of safety when it comes to themselves and their family members, but many do not realize how important it is to provide a safe environment for guests and visitors to your home. While it is often possible for people to be aware of hazards and dangers in a place that they live in or frequently visit, new guests may be unaware of the layout of the home and may suffer injuries as a result. A common site for injuries on personal property are internal and external stairways, and property owners should be aware of the dangers that such areas may pose to their guests.
If stairways are improperly constructed or are poorly maintained, individuals visiting the home may suffer serious injuries in the event of a slip-and-fall accident. If a person suffers injury on your property, you may be held liable for medical expenses related to the injury, including the cost of emergency medical services, surgery, hospital bills, medication, and rehabilitation. In addition, injured parties may seek compensation for lost wages, pain, and suffering that they may have undergone due to the accident.
To avoid such slip-and-fall injuries, homeowners and property managers should establish a routine maintenance schedule for all stairways, both indoor and outdoor. Common causes of staircase accidents include:
Failure to provide handrails on stairways
Lack of traction on stairs
Incorrectly constructed staircases
Liquid spills and other slippery substances left on stairways
Inclement weather and the gathering of snow, ice, and rain on stairs
Toys, personal objects, and other items left on or near pedestrian areas
Not all slip-and-fall accidents may require medical attention and some may not involve injury to the individual at all. Unfortunately, some cases may be very serious and can require immediate medical attention. In the event of a serious accident, medical attention should be sought immediately. Once the individual has been attended to, the circumstances surrounding the injury should be immediately documented. If there were witnesses in the area, be sure to consult them and take statements for future reference.
If a person is injured due to their own recklessness or hazardous behavior, he or she may not be able to pursue legal action for personal injury. If the person was injured due to the actions of the property owner, the injured party may be able to seek compensation through legal means.
If you would like to know more about injuries to guest and property liability, visit the website of the Atlanta property liability attorneys of Webb, Lindsey, Wade, Taylor & Thompson, LLC.
