Though it may seem like everyone takes a tumble down the stairs at some point in their life, these accidents are often avoidable. It’s important to understand that if you have fallen down the stairs, you can experience severe injuries. Unfortunately, these accidents are often the result of negligence. As such, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages you have suffered. Read on to learn more about stairwell accidents in Florida and what to do if an injury occurs.

What Causes Stairwell Accidents in Florida?

Though it may not seem like it, the majority of stairwell accidents in Florida are the result of preventable hazards that property owners fail to remedy.

Under Florida premises liability law, property owners are expected to uphold a reasonable standard of care to maintain their property, including stairwells, for those legally on the premises. A property owner’s failure to inspect, remedy, or warn those on the premises about a dangerous condition can result in civil liability for injuries.

Common Structural and Maintenance Hazards

  • Insufficient lighting in stairwells
  • Uneven riser height or tread depth
  • Broken, loose, or missing handrails
  • Loose carpeting or treads
  • Lack of slip-resistant material
  • Slippery surfaces from leaks, cleaning, or spills

Security and Environmental Factors

  • Lack of security cameras
  • Failure to monitor dangerous conditions
  • Inadequate and irregular building inspections
  • Failure to repair hazards
  • Code violations

In Panama City, Marianna, and other communities throughout Bay County, stairwell accidents commonly occur in apartment complexes, hotels, parking garages, and commercial buildings that fail to ensure the safety of their premises for lawful visitors.

Can You Recover Compensation After a Stairwell Accident in Florida?

In Florida, property owners are responsible for keeping their property maintained at all times. As such, if negligence causes your injury, you may be eligible to pursue compensation, though you must be able to prove knowledge and causation related to your injuries.

Knowledge of the Hazard

  • The unsafe condition was present long enough that the property owner should have known about it
  • The property owner did know about the condition and failed to remedy it
  • Prior complaints were raised regarding the same issue
  • Maintenance records show ignored repairs

In short, an injured party must be able to show that the property owner knew about or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to take steps to fix the hazard.

Causation and Injury

  • An unsafe stairwell directly caused your injuries
  • Medical records are consistent and link injuries to the accident
  • Surveillance footage supports your claims
  • Witness statements strengthen claims

What Injuries Commonly Result From Stairwell Falls?

Falls in stairwells are often the result of significant force, multiple impacts, and blunt force, which can make these injuries even more severe.

Physical Injuries

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Herniated discs
  • Shoulder dislocations
  • Internal bleeding
  • Broken bones

Long-Term Medical Consequences

  • Chronic pain
  • Permanent disability
  • Need for ongoing medical care
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Reduced mobility

What Should You Do Immediately After a Stairwell Accident?

If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, you will have to prove that this negligence occurred to cause your accident. As such, it’s imperative to take the proper steps to not only protect your health and well-being but also to help preserve and strengthen your legal claim.

Step 1. Seek Medical Attention

  • Go to an emergency room or urgent care facility
  • Document all symptoms, even those that seem minor
  • Follow up with specialists as instructed by the treating physician
  • Obtain copies of medical records and diagnostic imaging

Step 2.  Document the Scene

  • Take photos and videos of the stairwell and hazardous conditions, including:
    • Poor lighting
    • Missing or broken handrails
    • Damages or cracked rewards
    • Uneven steps
  • Obtain the contact information of witnesses present at the time of your injury

Step 3. Report the Incident

  • Contact the building or property manager where the accident occurred
  • Request a copy of the incident report
  • Keep the clothing and shoes you wore during the fall

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for a personal injury accident is generally two years from the date of the accident. This may sound like a long time, but failing to file within two years will mean losing your opportunity to recover the compensation you deserve. If you are recovering from a serious accident, it can be difficult to take action.

What Compensation May Be Available for Stairwell Injury Victims in Panama City?

In Florida stairwell accident claims, compensation is designed to restore injured victims to the financial position they were in prior to the accident. In the event your premises liability claim is successful, you may be entitled to certain damages in accordance with Florida law, including both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages reflect the actual, calculable losses that someone has suffered as a result of an injury. This commonly includes the following:

  • Emergency medical care
  • Follow up doctor’s appointments
  • Medications
  • Medical equipment
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more difficult to calculate because they represent subjective losses. As such, careful documentation is necessary to prove these losses, which include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Permanent impairment

Contact Our Experienced Florida Firm

If you have suffered a stairwell injury in Panama City or anywhere in the Florida Panhandle, our firm is ready to represent you. Here at Manuel & Thompson, P.A., we understand the potentially devastating effect that an injury can have on an individual and their family, which is why we are dedicated to helping all those who’ve been injured due to no fault of their own. Our firm also proudly handles insurance disputes, hurricane claims, fire loss claims, commercial litigation, and construction law matters. To discuss your case with our experienced Panama City personal injury attorneys, contact our firm today for your free consultation.