When an owner fails to keep their property safe and somebody suffers an injury as a result, then the property owner has breached their duty of care and can be held liable for financial, medical, and non-economic damages. A failure to maintain a safe environment is considered a premise liability and applies to victims injured by falling downstairs. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from falling down stairs in California, contact Maison Law today to ensure you are compensated to the fullest extent for your damages.
How Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help Me?
If you’ve suffered injuries from falling down the stairs on someone else’s property, determining liability can become a complex matter. Depending on the situation, several parties may be liable for your injuries. Common liable parties for premise liabilities include:
- A property owner
- A business owner
- The government
- A contractor or subcontractor
Finding the liable party can be tricky, which is why it is recommended to seek the counsel of a premises liability lawyer. A lawyer can assist you with the following after you’ve been injured on someone else’s property:
- Increase your initial settlement by letting the insurance adjuster know you intend to invoke your right to be fairly compensated
- Make you aware of the compensation you will need in order to treat your injuries and make a full recovery
- Help you understand what a fair settlement should be based on the details of your case
- Build a case by gathering evidence such as:
- Proof of the damages you’ve suffered
- Evidence that a person, or business, was liable for your injuries
- Evidence the accident was in no way your fault, nor could you have done anything to prevent it
- File a claim in court if a settlement cannot be reached and present your case in front of a jury
How Much is a Falling Down Stairs Claim Worth in California?
The compensation you receive for falling down stairs will largely be dependent upon the severity of your injuries. Stairway injuries happen to approximately 1 million Americans every year according to the National Library of Medicine. Falling down the stairs often results in serious injuries such as severe fractures, broken bones, and brain injuries.
With the broad spectrum of injuries suffered in falling down the stairs accidents, doctors have two ways to determine the severity of injuries using the Abbreviated Injury Scale. This system uses the symptoms of accident victims and assigns a grade. The grades for injuries go as follows:
- Grade I: minimal pain. Treatment may only require mild pain medication and rest.
- Grade II: Slight pain accompanied by a limited range of motion.
- Grade III: Moderate pain with a limited range of motion. Ligament damage and possible neurological symptoms.
- Grade IV: Moderate to severe pain with limited range of motion, neurological symptoms, damaged ligaments, and a fractured disc.
- Grade V: Constant severe pain where surgery is required to regain function.
Treatment for each grade will vary by each injured victim, however, the more severe the injury, the more your claim will typically be worth.
How Do You Know If You Have a TBI After Falling Down Stairs in California?
According to Medscape, TBIs are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States with nearly two million traumatic brain injuries occurring every year. For that reason, it is important to know how to identify a TBI if you’ve suffered any type of head injury after falling down stairs. Traumatic brain injuries fall into two distinct categories. These categories are known as:
- Penetrating TBI: penetrating TBI (pTBI) is a wound in which a projectile breaches the cranium, but does not exit it. Due to the serious nature of this injury, the mortality rate for penetrating head injuries is high. 50% of all trauma deaths are secondary to TBIs. These injuries are extremely obvious and require immediate treatment.
- Non-penetrating TBI: a non-penetrating TBI is also known as a “closed head injury” or a “blunt” TBI. This is caused when an external act causes the brain to move around within the skill. This injury can also be classified as a serious concussion. Common causes of non-penetrating TBIs include car accidents, rough falls, sports accidents, or blunt force trauma to the head. These injuries can lie dormant until a victim’s basic motor skills begin to decline.
If you’ve suffered either one of these TBIs, it is important to pay attention to symptoms that can alert you to serious neurological issues, even while you’re receiving treatment.
- Physical symptoms:
- Pupil dilation
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Nausea/vomiting
- Fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Cognitive Symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Disorientation
- Loss of consciousness
- Forgetfulness
- Persistent frustration and irritability
- Perception Symptoms
- Loss of balance
- Sensitivity to light
- Random mood swings
- Depression and anxiety
- Lack of energy
Contact a Falling Down Stairs Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after falling down stairs in California, the experienced accident attorneys at Maison Law can help you get medical treatment for your injuries, as well as compensation for your damages. At Maison Law, we advocate on behalf of accident victims whose lives have been upended by a preventable premise liability. Get the expert legal advice you need and contact Maison Law today for a free, no-risk case consultation. No upfront money is necessary for our services and we don’t get paid unless we win your case for you.
