Falling down the stairs can lead to serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and a lengthy recovery time where you may be unable to work or earn an income. In New Jersey, property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. This includes ensuring that staircases and handrails are functioning properly. If you fell as a result of broken stairs or railings in NJ and have questions about your legal options, continue reading and speak with a Middlesex County stairway accident attorney today.
What is Premises Liability in New Jersey?
Premises liability is the legal responsibility that property owners have to keep their property safe for visitors. Under this law, property owners or occupants must take steps to protect guests and maintain the property at a reasonable level of safety. This includes frequent inspections of the premises, the performance of regular maintenance, prompt action to rectify any hazards, and verbal or visual warnings of potential danger.
This duty of care extends to stairs, railings, and walkways. Property owners must maintain these areas in a reasonably safe condition to prevent accidents.
What if I Fell As a Result of Broken Stairs or Railings in NJ?
If you fell and sustained an injury as a result of broken stairs or railings, you should seek medical attention right away. Even if your injuries seem minor, being medically evaluated is crucial for both your health and your legal rights.
Report the accident to the property owner, landlord, store manager, or whoever is in charge. If possible, request a written incident report. Also, gather evidence at the scene of the accident. Take photos of the broken stairs or railing, get witness contact information, and keep records of your injuries, expenses, and experience in the days and weeks following the accident.
You should also reach out to a personal injury attorney. Depending on the circumstances of the situation, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. A lawyer will be able to evaluate the situation and assess the validity of your claim before helping you navigate the legal process.
Can I Sue a Property Owner if I Fell on Their Stairs?
Depending on the details of your incident, you may be able to sue the property owner and hold them responsible for your injuries and resulting damages. In order to successfully take legal action against the property owner, you must be able to prove that they were negligent in maintaining their property.
If the property owner knew or should have known about the broken stairs or railing that caused your accident but failed to fix the hazard, you may have a valid claim. Part of premises liability law is the expectation that owners will take steps to fix hazards in a reasonable time frame. If the property owner was aware of the broken stairs but neglected to rectify them or warn you about the danger, they could be considered negligent. If the hazard was present for enough time that the owner should have identified the issue during an inspection of the property, but they did not, they can also be held liable.
If you have questions about your legal rights and options after an accident, reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney for experienced legal advice and representation.
