When broken stairs cause a slip and fall accident, it can result in significant injuries, unexpected medical bills, and weeks, if not months, of recovery. In Kentucky, property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for visitors. If you fell and were injured due to broken stairs, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. For more information and to obtain skilled legal counsel during your case, read on and work with an experienced Pike County, KY stairway accident lawyer.
What Should I Do Immediately After Falling on Broken Stairs?
If you fell because of broken stairs, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine or your injuries seem minor, getting evaluated is crucial. Some symptoms do not appear right away, so you may mistakenly believe you are not seriously harmed. A medical professional can accurately identify and treat any issues. This will also create a record to establish a connection between the accident and your injuries.
Next, report the accident. Notify the homeowner, store manager, landlord, or whoever is in charge of the property. You may also choose to file a police report. Request a copy of any incident reports, particularly if the accident occurred in a commercial or business setting.
If you are able to, this is also a good time to begin gathering evidence. Take photos of the broken stairs, the surrounding areas, your visible injuries, and any other relevant conditions that could have contributed to the accident. If any witnesses saw your fall, collect their names and contact information as well.
Who is Legally Responsible for My Fall?
Under premises liability law, Kentucky requires property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions for guests and customers. This responsibility applies to homeowners, business owners, store managers, and other occupants of a space.
If you were lawfully on the property, as in you were an invited guest, a customer during operational hours, or a tenant, for example, premises liability is applicable and the property owner owes you a duty of care.
The standard for providing an environment reasonably free from hazardous conditions requires that property owners perform regular inspections of the premises, repair known issues in a timely manner, use verbal warnings or signs to inform guests of potential danger, and more. If the property owner was negligent in their efforts to keep their property safe, they can be held liable for your damages.
How Can I Recover Compensation?
In order to recover compensation after falling on a broken staircase, you can file either a claim or a lawsuit against the property owner. You must demonstrate their negligence by proving that they were aware of the broken stair but did not take action, or that they should have been aware of the danger but were careless in their maintenance.
For legal assistance during your premises liability case, work with a skilled personal injury attorney.
