Switch to ADA Accessible Theme
Close Menu
NYC Personal Injury Lawyers / Blog / Premises Liability / I Fell Down a Dark Stairwell in Manhattan: Can I Sue?

I Fell Down a Dark Stairwell in Manhattan: Can I Sue?

Slip_Stairs

When most people think about walking hazards, they envision puddles, debris, and exposed cables. However, lack of proper lighting can be one of the most dangerous walking hazards imaginable – particularly in stairwells. If you stumbled down a dark stairwell on someone else’s property, you might be wondering about your legal options. Is it possible to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue compensation for your injuries? Could a premises liability lawyer in Manhattan help?

Potential Injuries After a Stairwell Fall 

A tumble down a dark stairwell can cause all kinds of serious injuries. Some of these accidents have proven fatal. Even if victims survive after falling down staircases, they may struggle with life-altering consequences.

A common injury after an accident of this nature is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In total darkness, it may be particularly difficult to avoid striking your head on stairs, railings, walls, and other surfaces. Even if you outstretch your arms in an attempt to cushion your fall, it may be difficult to protect yourself in the dark.

A TBI can cause cognitive decline, brain damage, loss of motor control, personality changes, memory issues, speech impediments, and all kinds of other problems. It may be impossible to continue with your career after suffering a TBI, and you may face considerable medical expenses. An experienced premises liability lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation for these damages.

Fractures are also relatively common for those who fall down stairwells. Elderly individuals tend to have more fragile and brittle bones, making fractures even more likely. Hip fractures can rob seniors of their mobility, and they can become fatal with infections. Other common injuries include leg fractures, arm fractures, sprained ankles, torn ligaments, and much more.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Dark Stairwell Fall? 

If you fell down a dark stairwell, you may need to prove negligence in order to pursue compensation. In other words, you must establish that the property owner breached their “duty of care” by failing to provide adequate lighting in the stairwell.

Your lawyer can help you prove negligence with various types of evidence. This evidence might include maintenance records, witness testimony, photographs, and much more.

What if My Loved One Died After Falling Down a Dark Stairwell? 

If you lost a loved one to a stairwell accident in Manhattan, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This is when you sue on their behalf to pursue accountability, justice, and compensation. A wrongful death lawsuit can provide compensation for funeral expenses, the loss of future earnings, loss of consortium, and other damages.

Key Takeaways 

  • Fatal slips and falls can lead to wrongful death lawsuits
  • Property owners are required to provide adequate lighting in stairwells
  • Your personal injury lawyer can help you gather evidence after a fall

Can a Premises Liability Lawyer in Manhattan Help Me? 

If you fell down a dark stairwell, you may be eligible to pursue compensation alongside an experienced premises liability lawyer in Manhattan. Property owners and business owners are legally required to keep their premises safe – and this ensures maintaining proper lighting. To learn more about your legal options, schedule a consultation with Cohan Law, PLLC today.

Sources: 

up.codes/viewer/new_york_city/nyc-energy-conservation-code-2020/chapter/9/lighting

nyc.gov/assets/buildings/pdf/h2g4_le_2020_nycecc.pdf

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
+