Stairwells are one of the most common locations for injuries from slips or trips, and falls to occur, as a simple loss of footing can quickly lead to a dangerous downward tumble. Unfortunately, taking legal action over stairwell accidents in Merrillville can be complicated, largely because the act of falling on someone else’s stairs is not enough on its own to warrant a lawsuit.
If you want to improve your chances of getting fair compensation after a preventable accident on a defective staircase, it is a good idea to seek help from The Law Offices of David W. Holub as soon as possible. Our seasoned slip and fall attorneys have years of experience helping people like you claim the restitution they deserve after these accidents, and we are prepared to provide you with custom-tailored support to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome from your settlement demand or lawsuit.
What Could Justify a Stairwell Injury Lawsuit?
In order to hold a landowner legally liable for an injury their stairwell caused, an injured person must show that the injury would likely never have happened if that landowner had not behaved negligently. This means they will need to demonstrate that an unreasonably dangerous hazard existing in the stairwell where they were hurt was the main and direct cause of their injury. They must also prove that the landowner had direct knowledge of or should have known about this hazard but failed to fix it, cordon it off, or warn them about it.
Examples of dangerous property conditions that could potentially serve as valid grounds for a stairwell accident injury claim in Merrillville include:
- Uneven riser heights
- Loose or broken steps
- Lack of sufficient lighting
- Loose, broken, or missing handrails
- Inconsistent depth of individual steps
- Lack of non-slip material on steps, particularly in outdoor stairwells
A member of our team could discuss an injured person’s circumstances and possible legal options with them in detail during a confidential consultation.
Seeking Fair Restitution Within Filing Deadlines
If an injured person can prove a landowner violated the duty of care they owe visitors and allowed them to get hurt as a result, they can hold the landowner liable for all the consequences their injuries will have. These can include objective economic losses such as medical bills and lost work income, as well as subjective personal losses such as physical pain, emotional trauma, and a decline in overall quality of life due to a long-lasting disability.
However, no matter how bad someone’s injuries resulting from a Merrillville staircase accident are, they have a limited amount of time to actually file suit over them. In fact, as per Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, waiting more than two years to sue after initially sustaining injury will almost certainly lead to a claim being thrown out of court for violating the applicable statute of limitations.
Speak With a Merrillville Attorney About a Stairwell Accident Claim
Holding landowners civilly liable for injuries and losses stemming from stairwell accidents in Merrillville can be deceptively difficult. Without support from capable legal counsel, you may have serious trouble obtaining the compensation you need.
The Law Offices of David W. Holub could help simplify and streamline the civil recovery process for you, improving your chances of success in your claim. Call us today to discuss your legal options.