Tampa Staircase Injury Lawyers

A staircase accident can result in serious injuries that interrupt your life, such as by causing lost wages or a permanent disability. In Tampa, all property owners have a responsibility to ensure the reasonable safety of their stairways. If you suffer a staircase injury due to a hazardous property condition, you may be eligible for financial compensation. A premises liability lawyer in Tampa can help you seek justice.

What Are a Tampa Property Owner’s Duties of Care?

A duty of care refers to a legal responsibility or obligation imposed on a party based on the circumstances. In a personal injury claim, an accused party or defendant’s duty of care must be proven, as must a breach or violation of this duty of care. Premises liability laws state that property owners have a duty of care to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe and free of hazards. This includes properly maintaining all staircases.

Common Types of Staircase Hazards

If a property owner ignores premises inspection, inadequate maintenance, and repair responsibilities, a staircase could fall into a dangerous state of disrepair.

Staircase injuries can arise due to various defects and dangerous property conditions, including:

• Faulty staircase design
• Broken or uneven stairs
• Broken or missing railings
• Slippery or wet surfaces
• Debris, objects or clutter
• Inadequate lighting

A hazardous stairwell could lead to a visitor slipping or tripping and falling down the stairs, potentially suffering catastrophic injuries. Common injuries include broken bones, hip fractures, concussions traumatic brain injuries, back and neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries.

Who Is Responsible for Staircase Accidents and Injuries in Florida?

Property owners in Tampa can be made to pay for a visitor’s medical bills and other losses after a preventable staircase accident. Residential or commercial property insurance, homeowners’ insurance, or renters insurance may be available to pay for these accidents.

To qualify for financial compensation, a victim must prove the following elements:

1. The owner or controller of the property owed the victim a duty of care.
2. The property owner negligently breached his or her duty of care.
3. The breach of duty caused or contributed to the staircase accident.
4. The victim suffered damages, such as medical bills and lost wages, in the accident.

In general, there must be evidence that the owner of the property knew or had reason to know about the staircase defect but negligently failed to remedy the hazard in a timely manner. The burden of proof in a civil case is a “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning more likely to be true than not true.

How Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help?

If you suffer a staircase injury, you will have to prove your case to qualify for financial compensation from the owner of the property. This requires clear and convincing evidence of the property owner’s negligence. Hiring an attorney can make the legal process easier so that you can focus your energy on healing and moving forward.

An experienced personal injury lawyer in Tampa can investigate your staircase accident, search for witnesses and evidence, identify the responsible party or parties, file a claim on your behalf, and take over negotiations with insurance companies to seek maximum financial compensation on your behalf.

For more information about a recent staircase accident and injury in Tampa, contact Vanguard Attorneys to schedule a free legal consultation.