Stairways are among the most dangerous areas in modern buildings. Even when the stairs themselves conform to rules regarding traction and slope, people can lose their balance or slip. They could then be at risk of falling quite a distance.
Handrails are critical for safety, even when a stairway only contains a few steps. Unfortunately, property owners may not maintain handrails as they should, which may result in them failing at the worst moment possible.
If a person attempted to grab a handrail and fell due to the handrail being loose or unable to bear weight, there may be grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.
Ignoring weak handrails is negligent
Building codes and accessibility rules both require handrails in stairways. The type of the building and the use of the stairway may influence exactly how much weight the handrail should support.
Handrails should be solid, firmly attached to the wall, and generally capable of supporting a person’s weight if they slip and reach out to steady themselves. Loose or aging handrails may not provide the support necessary to prevent a stairway fall.
If a handrail comes loose or if there is no handrail in the stairway where a person falls, the injured person may have grounds to claim that the property owner was negligent. Most people recognize the importance of a handrail to overall public safety, and building maintenance standards also require secure, strong handrails.
Pursuing a premises liability claim can help injured people hold negligent property owners accountable. A lawsuit or successful insurance claim can help people who fall due to dangerous stair conditions pay for their medical expenses and cover their lost wages.