Slip and Fall Accidents on Indoor Staircases in Commercial Establishments

Florida law requires businesses to keep their property safe for their customers and public use. If they do not address a known safety hazard, the business or property owner may be liable to pay for any resulting personal injury or property damage. Staircases are common locations for slip and fall accidents in commercial buildings.

If you are injured in a slip and fall on commercial property, contact our team at Law Offices Cytryn & Velazquez, P.A. We protect the rights of victims in all types of personal injury cases. Our personal injury case results are a testament to our dedication to maximizing the settlement or jury award for our clients.

Learn more in a free case evaluation. Schedule by reaching out online or calling (954) 833-1440.

Slip and Fall Accidents on Restaurant Stairs

According to a report published by CNA, more than 1 million guests are injured annually from restaurant slips and falls.

Restaurants are one place where conditions on stairs can be potential fall-down hazards.

A fall down the stairs can cause serious injuries:

• Broken Bones
• Concussions
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Hip Fractures
• Lacerations

There are many different reasons why people slip and fall down a set of stairs, many of which are not their fault. Restaurants are particularly susceptible to having water or spilled liquids as well as dropped food on stairs and walkways.

Click here for more information about slip and fall accidents in Florida restaurants.

Inherent Danger of Stairs

Stairs are somewhat dangerous even when there is not anything on the stairs. Strict building codes require handrails on true staircases with very few exceptions. Even on a perfectly constructed staircase, everyone must be extremely cautious when walking down the stairs. When liquid or another slippery substance is present, stairs become a super hazard. Add a woman wearing high heels, and the stairs become even more dangerous.

Even when the construction of the stairs is compliant with building codes, business establishments are still obligated to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Maintenance includes tactics to limit spills. When a spill or other hazard does occur, clean-up should be performed immediately.

A restaurant employee notified of a dangerous condition on the stairs should immediately come to the scene and stand guard while another employee gets the appropriate equipment.

Compounding the slip-factor of liquid on stairs is how the stair is finished. Indoor stairs should be finished with a non-slip coat or constructed to be non-slip stairs.

Investigating Slip and Fall Accidents

Restaurant operators know that customers can fall down their stairs and sustain serious injury. The restaurant must keep all stairs and stairways that customers use as non-slip as possible.

There are specific maximum heights and minimum heights for stair risers, and maximum and minimum depths for stair treads. There are minimum widths for a stair. Handrails are usually required, depending upon where the stair is, the building classification, and rating under the building codes. Handrails have minimum requirements, such as being within a certain height of the stairs so people can comfortably hold them while traversing the stairs. Multiple building codes apply to a staircase. If we find a violation, your case is stronger.

We analyze the following when we investigate slip and fall cases:

• Measure the riser, tread, and other elements of the stairs
• Determine whether handrails are properly constructed
• Analyze whether the stairs and surrounding area meet all city, county, and state building codes
• Examine if disability, fire, and other appropriate codes are met

Free Case Evaluations for Slips and Falls on Commercial Staircases

If you have been injured going up or down a staircase on a commercial property, call our experienced personal injury team. We are available whether your slip and fall occurred in Coral Springs, Broward County, or any other county in Florida. We also take on cases where the injury occurs outside the Sunshine State. More of our cases come from South Florida, but we also handle personal injury claims in other areas of the state and throughout the U.S.

Feel free to call us for a free consultation to see if you have a case at (954) 833-1440. All cases are handled on a contingency basis. You will pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.