Whether it’s in homes or public places, slipping and falling on staircases, stairwells and steps can be extremely dangerous. People sustain a variety of injuries, ranging from sprains, cuts or bruises to serious and life-threatening brain, spine or internal organ damage. Elderly people and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.

Statistics show that slip and fall or trip and fall injuries are among the most common reasons for ER and doctors’ visits and hospitalization across all age-groups. Pre-existing conditions, the age and general health of the victim and the type of fall, location etc can determine the nature and extent of injury.

It’s important to seek immediate medical attention when you sustain a slip and fall accident, even if you consider your injuries to be minor. Many kinds of injuries have delayed symptoms and could turn out to be more serious later if left untreated.

Serious injuries sustained in slip/trip and fall accidents can cause physical, financial and emotional losses. They can put you out of action for weeks, months, perhaps even permanently. Loss of income, wage-earning capacity, compounded by high medical and rehabilitation costs and the emotional trauma can wreak devastation in the lives of not just the victims but often their families too.

Consult an experienced and knowledgeable Belleville personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident. You may be entitled to compensation.

Staircases, Steps and Stairwells

Statistics reveal that nearly 35% of brain injuries are sustained after a slip/trip and fall accident. Falling from a height, even if it’s a small one can compound the impact and cause serious injury.

Clutter or debris left on stairs are a huge hazard and this happens when there are children in the house, or there’s some maintenance work going on at the spot. There may be tools, construction materials, etc left behind which can pose a risk. Liquid spills or wet surfaces are another danger.

Other dangerous aspects of stairs or steps include:

• Water dripping from air-conditioners, creating puddles on the steps
• Loose carpeting
• Improperly anchored staircase runners catching the heel
• Broken or badly-maintained steps
• Missing tiles, chipped concrete
• Ice or uncleared snow on entrance/exit steps
• Poor lighting/visibility
• Unmarked elevation changes
• Trash or clutter
• Tools, loose cables
• Failure to clean by maintenance staff
• Lack of warning signs
• Broken, loose, missing hand-rails
• Improper design which doesn’t conform to building standards

Who Is Liable?

According to the Ontario Occupier’s Liability Act, the property owner   has a responsibility to ensure that the premises are maintained in a state of reasonable safety for all legitimate visitors.

The property may be privately owned or it could be a government/municipality owned one.

One of the issues that people face when slip and fall accidents occur is that it happened in a friend or relative’s home. This makes claiming compensation awkward, hence few victims file personal injury suits against someone they know well. However, it’s the insurance company that makes the payment settlement, hence the financial liability belongs to them and not personally to the friend or relative.

A Belleville personal injury lawyer can evaluate your case and provide you with the right advice and assistance.