Have you ever tried going downstairs that has a railing that is broken or damaged or, worse yet, doesn’t have a railing at all? Suddenly, this everyday task becomes perilous!
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain their stairs’ railings and failing to do so can result in an injury and lead to an emotional and expensive lawsuit.
Read on to find out more about injuries caused by damaged staircases and what you should do if you become injured due to a property owner’s neglectful behavior.
Requirements for Safety Railings
It is a property owner’s responsibility to follow the standard requirements for safety railings. These are as follows:
- If there is an open-sided walkway or stairway where the drop-off is at least 30”, a guardrail is required
- All non-spiral, non-residential stairways at least 30” tall must have handrails on both sides
- Railings are required on the outer edge of all spiral staircases
- Guardrails that are next to a drop-off must be at least 42” high
- If there is no drop-off, railings must be 34-38” high.
- Guardrails must provide continuous, easy to grasp support
- Railings must support at least 200 lbs.
There may be additional requirements that apply to areas designed for employee traffic in commercial buildings.
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Staircase Railing Accident
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain his or her staircase railings according to the standard requirements. Not doing so can result in injuries like hip fractures, shoulder fractures, leg and ankle fractures, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries and more.
If you sustained an injury because a property owner failed to comply with these requirements, you must prove that your injuries were due to the owner’s negligent behavior. This can be more complicated than it seems and it’s a good idea to have a reliable lawyer on your side.
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers has a team of reliable premises liability lawyers with years of experience in the areas of personal injury and premises liability. Their caring attorneys are known for their honest evaluations and aggressive representation. Call them first to get the compensation you deserve.
