A Philadelphia landlord has a duty to their tenants to keep the property’s stairways in good repair and reasonably free from any dangerous hazard. Every year, falls are the leading cause of death and serious physical injury to people over 65, second only to automobile accidents for those 64 and under.
Stairway falls are some of the most dangerous which makes stairway safety a big concern for landlords. If a landlord fails to keep a stairway reasonably free from dangerous hazards, then if someone falls and gets hurt, the landlord will likely be liable.
At The Pearce Law Firm, Personal Injury and Accident Lawyer, P.C., we understand how frustrating it can be to have been injured by someone else’s negligence and have them deny responsibility. We also know the law and if your landlord is responsible for your injuries, and we will do whatever it takes to get you justice and fair compensation.
Premises Liability:
Premises liability is the area of law that determines whether a landlord/property owner is responsible for the injuries of someone who got hurt on the owner’s property. Basically, Pennsylvania law requires all common areas and public areas under the control of the landlord to be reasonably free from dangerous hazards.
If you fall down the stairs at an apartment complex because a board was loose and were seriously injured then the landlord is responsible for your injuries if:
- You were legally on the property: (Such as a tenant, guest, repairperson, etc) and
- The landlord caused the board to come loose, (poor job of repair or knocked it loose somehow) or
- The landlord knew of the loose board and did nothing about it (such as a tenant reported it).
The law gives the landlord a reasonable amount of time to repair, but with something as dangerous as a stairway, a reasonable time isn’t that long.
Common Stairway Fall Injuries:
Stairs have multiple steps, and a fall from the top of a stairway can cause several serious impacts on a person as they tumble down. This can cause serious injuries and even death. This is why it’s important to keep stairs clear and in good repair.
First responders and trauma center personnel often see the telltale signs of a stairway fall. Some of the common injuries in one of these accidents are:
- Blunt Force Trauma
- Head Injuries (Concussion to TBI)
- Broken Wrists/Elbows
- Broken Legs
- Facial Bone Injuries
- Deep Lacerations
- Broken Collarbone
- Fractured Ribs
If you’ve received any of these injuries, or any others, falling down a stairway, you need to talk to an attorney who can assess whether the owner of the stairs was negligent and caused your injuries. If your landlord or their insurance company tells you that they don’t have liability, don’t take their word for it, find out from someone who knows the law and is on your side.
Contact a Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.