A commonplace structure in everyday lives, the staircase has been around for centuries as a manual means of self-elevation. Originally crudely made, modern technology has allowed us to make staircases in every direction, shape, and material where the only limit is your imagination.
This isn’t exactly a good thing, though, as stairs present unique dangers and hazards compared to flat surfaces. As science has it, the wrong staircase coupled with the wrong conditions can spell a recipe for potential injury. So how exactly can one be injured on a staircase?
Poor Construction
While we have modern technology to thank for us being able to construct staircases in any conceivable way, that doesn’t mean we should. Every country has a building code and that code can even vary by state or city, especially considering that the land and climates of the United States varies from coast to coast. Codes have been developed with this mind along with sensibility to other passive hazards like shaking and wear over time. If builders move away from the code, a staircase made from the wrong material could break beneath one’s feet putting a property owner at risk of a premises liability lawsuit.
Slippery Surfaces
People accidentally drop liquids all the time. Slippery surfaces are hazards where people can potentially slip. This is especially true in the case of stairs that have been worn over time. Stairs with materials that have gotten smoother from decades long use become slick with the least amount of moisture. Should one’s staircase become worn like this, the property owner needs to consider updating them or treating the surface.
Lack of Barriers
In architecture and interior design, one trend showcasing modern design sensibilities are staircases without handrails. A product of the minimalist aesthetic, these rail-less staircases are a hit when building new luxury homes and offices. You would think that most people are intelligent enough to be able to ascend a flight of stairs without moving off it, and they are. The issue is that they can fall off for literally any other reason. A person could be nauseous and disoriented, swerve to the side and fall. Or any kind of sharp sensation could jerk a person to the side. There are a whole host of reasons that a person could be forced one way or another, but we only regret not having these necessary barriers until after they happen. So for property owners looking to avoid a personal injury lawsuit, it’s probably a good idea to keep their staircases to code and with practical design sensibilities.
Contact an attorney, like a personal injury attorney from Eric Roy Law Firm, if you were involved in an accident and need representation.