Attorneys in Florida for slip and fall accidents in condominium stairways

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere at any time and can cause severe injury and distress. Something as small as debris or cracked cement can put you on your back for days, weeks, months, or even years. Condominium slip and fall accidents in condo buildings are among the more common accidents that occur, and the results can be severe. Typical injuries resulting from a condo stair slip and fall accident include damages to your shoulders, knees, elbows, head, back, neck, hips, etc.  

Suppose you are a victim of a slip and fall accident in a condo stairway. In that case, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other impacts resulting from a condominium’s negligent actions. However, to receive compensation, you must prove that your injuries directly resulted from the condo or HOA’s careless actions.

Proving negligence in Florida for condo slip and fall stairway accidents

When you reside in a condominium, you commit to paying a monthly fee for HOA dues as the condo owner or tenant. You expect that the HOA or association will stand true to their commitment and keep the property clean and safe environment for their residents and guests.  

Florida’s premises liability law says the association has a duty of care to protect the residents and guests by acting reasonably responsible and maintaining a safe environment. Failure to meet this duty, and someone was injured on the condo premise; the association can be held accountable for their negligent actions and pay for any damages caused.

No matter how unfair or blatant it may seem, the victim must prove negligence to recover compensation in Florida state. The injured will have to prove the condo association did not uphold their duty of care maintaining a safe environment, and as a result, an injury occurred. If this can be established, the association will have to pay for the damages.

Proving negligence in a stairway slip and fall accident is not particularly easy when dealing with premise liability negligence. However, there are key factors to focus on to help strengthen your case with the best slip and fall attorneys in Florida at Advocates USA.

How should a condominium association protect its’ residents and guests?

If you are a victim of a condo staircase slip and fall accident in Florida, you will want to build evidence around the condition of the staircase. Focus on:

• lighting
• handrails or lack of
• steps
• visibility
• the stairway in general

Obtaining as much evidence as possible will help our condo slip and fall injury attorneys to build a solid case. Therefore, we will use evidence to prove the condo association breached its duty of care and did not protect its residents or guest of the Florida condo premise.  

The condo association and its management companies are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for the residents and guests to prevent pool slip and fall accidents and stairway slip and fall accidents. We all know just how dangerous stairways can be, especially when there are hazards present. Below, Advocates USA has compiled a series of questions to ask yourself about the condition of the stairway.

Lighting:

Was the staircase well lit throughout the stairway from the base to the top?

If each step was individually illuminated, was there a missing light on one of the steps?

Railings in the stairway:

When it comes to handrails in stairways, they are legally required measurements

• If the staircase is 88 inches wide or more, there needs to be a secured handrail down the middle of the stairs.
• A staircase that is 44 inches wide or less is required to have a handrail.
• A staircase that is 44 inches wide or more is required to have handrails on both sides of the stairs.
• The handrails must be visible against the wall.
• Handrails must be a minimum of 34 inches from the floor.
• Handrails should be no more than 3.5 inches into the staircase.
• Handrails must extend at least 18 inches beyond the first and last step.
• Were the handrails damaged, cracked, or missing pieces?
• Was the handrail a non-slip grip?

Steps

• Were the steps slip-resistance?
• Were the steps uniform, or did they consist of irregularities?
• Was there another material used on the step? If so, was it secured down, and what about the condition of the material?
• Were the stairs slippery or wet?

Visibility

• Could each step be seen easily?
• If the staircase didn’t have sufficient lighting, were the steps painted with a contrasting color or marked differently?
• Were there distractions in the stairs, like posters or objects on the wall?
• Were warning signs posted in the stairwell, and were they easily visible?

The Stairway 

• In Florida, condominiums are legally required to comply with the Americans with Disability Act, which means the association must adhere to specific guidelines for stairs and stairwells. Is this true in your staircase slip and fall accident?

Reading the requirements and answering the above questions can help provide evidence into your slip and fall claim and whether or not the condo association can be held responsible. For example, did the association or managing company breach their duty of care to keep the residents and guests safe?

How can condo stairway slip and fall attorneys help you?

Suppose you were injured in a condo slip and fall accident, like a pool accident or staircase accident. In that case, you might be entitled to compensation for the damages you have suffered due to the condominium’s negligent actions. Call Advocates USA today at 1-800-872-4878.

Our personal injury attorneys specialize in slip and fall cases, and we can help you take the necessary steps to file a slip and fall lawsuit. These types of cases require patience on the victim’s part. At the same time, attorneys need to use precise strategy with many years of experience because condo associations typically have a defense team who know how to fight liability lawsuits.

Finding an experienced slip, trip, and fall lawyer to represent you through this legal process will be crucial in winning your case. Contact our condo slip and fall accident lawyers who are familiar with Florida premises liability law. We need you to focus on healing while our lawyers prove that the condo association acted with negligence and those actions led to your injuries. Advocates USA will help you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact Advocates USA today for your free consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with representation in the entire state of Florida. Call us today at 1-800-872-4878 to speak to a personal injury attorney.