It is common for people to wind up with severe injuries from stairwell accidents in Orland Park—especially when improper maintenance turns those stairs into a hazard zone. No matter how you wound up in a stairwell accident, you deserve reimbursement to cover the expenses from your injuries.
That is why MJB Law exists. We are here to use our nearly 40 years of experience in litigation to secure you the highest possible compensation available. Call today to speak with an experienced slip and fall attorney.
Causes of Stairway Accidents and Common Injuries
Defective, broken, worn down, or improperly constructed stairs frequently cause trip-and-fall incidents—as do slippery surfaces from rain, snow, or ice. Property owners are expected to address these problems as soon as possible to prevent injuries.
Obstructions from items left in the stairwell create tripping hazards, which can worsen if the area has inadequate lighting. Because of this, property owners should ensure all stairs remain clear and well lit.
Finally, building code violations, such as absent handrails or incorrect step dimensions, are evidence of negligence sufficient to win a premises liability case. Injuries can vary just as much as the unsafe conditions in stairwells, including the following:
- Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, wrists, and ankles
- Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Dislocated joints
- Severe knee injuries, which can require surgery or long-term physical therapy
- Broken hips
- Spinal cord injuries, fractures, herniated discs, or even paralysis or sensation loss in the limbs
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries from falling backward or hitting one’s head on the stairs or other surface
- Death
If the injuries are severe, they can impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities, work, and live a normal life. Overall, the worse the injuries, the more likely they will need long-term medical treatment and higher compensation. A lawyer could help calculate short and long-term losses to include in a damage reward.
Types of Compensation for Stairwell Accidents
Injured parties can collect damages for out-of-pocket expenses and experiential harm. Customers, property owners, tenants, guests, employees, and others who were lawfully present on the property with the stairwell can also file claims.
Economic damages cover all financial losses, such as medical care, lost wages, property damage, and, in severe cases, lost earning potential. Non-economic damages encompass harm, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of enjoyment of life. Illinois law does not limit the amount of economic or non-economic damages a person can claim.
In rare intentional harm or gross negligence cases, courts could levy punitive damages to punish the property owner and deter similar conduct. Similarly, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim if the individual dies during the accident or later from their injuries. Survivors are compensated in wrongful death claims for funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship.
Call an Orland Park Attorney Today to Discuss a Stairwell Accident Case
When a landowner’s negligence leads to you being harmed on a stairway, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Hiring a lawyer with deep experience in litigation and premises liability could improve your chances at obtaining an appropriate settlement.
Learn how the right personal injury attorney can make your recovery much more manageable. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your stairwell accident in Orland Park.
