Fort Lauderdale Slippery Steps Lawyer

Slippery steps are a hazard wherever they are found. Too many people can suffer multiple, long-lasting injuries when they tumble end over end down a flight of stairs. At Spencer Morgan Law, we can review who had responsibility for keeping the stairs safe and whether they need to pay compensation to anyone who fell. Many slippery step cases involve apartment buildings and property management companies, so the legal issues are somewhat complex. Call our Fort Lauderdale slippery steps lawyer today to initiate a review of whether you can seek compensation.

Who is Responsible for Slippery Steps?

Generally, the person or business which owns the property must maintain it to protect visitors and people who live on the premises:

• A landlord should keep the steps safe for tenants who go up and down every day.
• The owner should maintain the steps for people invited onto the property, such as business customers.
• An owner should keep stairs safe if they know children run up and down the stairs, regardless of whether the children live on the premises or are trespassing.

Many people slip on the steps to their apartment building. The landlord typically is responsible for maintaining common areas, including stairwells and outside steps. Even if they hire a property management company, the owner typically has ultimate liability for any property related accident.

There are many reasons stairs become slippery: rain, wet leaves, spilled liquids, polish, and excessive wear. A property owner might need to take sensible measures to ensure the steps are safe, such as installing mats or tracks, or else regularly cleaning and inspecting the stairs. The owner cannot bury their head in the sand and simply ignore a problem.

Injuries from Falls

Falling down a flight of stairs is more dangerous than simply flipping onto your back. Injured victims can suffer a direct traumatic blow with each strike against the steps. Someone falling down a flight of 12 stairs could sustain dozens of blows on their body and struggle with back injuries, broken bones, and other serious bodily injuries.

Following the accident, try to document why you fell. That can be difficult, if you are too injured to climb back up to the top of the steps and inspect the area which caused you to lose balance. There is no reason to fall a second time.

However, any photograph is useful. Alternatively, you can speak to a witness. Someone might have rushed to your assistance after watching you fall. Try to get their name so your lawyer can talk with them. They can possibly testify the steps were too slippery.

We Negotiate Compensation for Injured Clients

Hiring a lawyer quickly protects your rights. Some landlords or owners might quickly fix the hazard, such as by installing mats on the steps. They then deny any liability and suggest you fell because you were not paying sufficient attention or were running too fast up or down the stairs. Contact Spencer Morgan Law to talk with our Fort Lauderdale slippery steps lawyer in a free consultation.