INJURIES FROM FALLING DOWN STAIRS IN CHICAGO

Falling Down Stairs Injuries in Chicago, IL

Fall-related injuries are the number one cause of accidental injury and account for over 20% of emergency room visits every year–almost twice as many as those caused by motor vehicle accidents. Falls are preventable with stair safety and proper maintenance. Falling down the stairs injuries can be life-changing and result in an extensive recovery. If someone else’s negligence caused your stair-related fall injury, they should be financially liable for your injuries.

Our experienced Chicago slip-and-fall lawyer at Curcio Law Firm can help you fight for what you deserve while you focus on healing. Call us today at (312) 321-1111 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

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Common Injuries from Falling Down Stairs

There are more than 1 million stair-related injuries treated in the ER every year in the United States, according to a study conducted by The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. Injuries sustained after falling down the stairs can be severe and can require immediate medical attention. Sometimes, fall injuries are obvious. Broken bones and head wounds need a trip to the emergency room, but sometimes, it can be difficult to know when an injury needs medical treatment. The most common injuries are minor injuries like sprains and strains. More severe injuries include back injuries and internal injuries.

Contact our Chicago back injury attorney if you sustained a back injury because of a negligent property owner.

Minor Injuries From Falling Down Stairs in Chicago

Minor injuries associated with stairway accidents include soft tissue injuries like bruises, minor cuts, sprains, and strains (such as intercostal muscle strain). These injuries often don’t need immediate medical treatment, but they may require a few days off work. These common injuries are uncomfortable but not life-threatening.

Serious Injuries From Falling Down Stairs in Chicago

A fall down the stairs can even result in death. In 2019, more than 2,500 people died after falling on or down the stairs. A fall down the stairs can be more serious than falling on a flat surface. Stairway accidents can cause deep lacerations and internal bleeding. Stair falls can also result in serious spinal cord injuries or head injuries, both of which can cause life-long issues. If you believe you have sustained a serious injury from a fall down the stairs, seek medical attention immediately, then contact our Chicago spinal cord injury attorney.

Falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injuries. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a debilitating injury that has an expensive and lengthy recovery. Even seemingly ‘minor’ concussions can cause lasting issues with balance, memory, and concentration. Serious falls can cause severe headaches, blurry vision, and even amnesia.

Contact our Chicago TBI lawyer for more information.

A spinal cord injury is when the nerves in the spine that communicate between the brain and the rest of the body are damaged. Spinal cord damage can result in paralysis and loss of function in parts of the body, depending on where the injury is located. Slipped or herniated disks in the back can cause extreme pain and need extensive physical therapy.

If you’re paralyzed because of a stair injury, contact our Chicago paralysis lawyer immediately.

Broken bones are common injuries, making up nearly 20% of all stair-related injuries. The most frequently affected areas are the lower extremities: feet, ankles, and legs. The average cost of a broken bone can add up. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys want to help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Common Causes of Falling Down Stairs in Chicago

A stairway accident is a relatively common occurrence. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that the number of injuries caused by falling down stairs is second only to those caused by car accidents. When a person falls down the stairs, it could be caused by improper stair safety and be their own fault. Sometimes stair falls occur when a property owner fails to install or maintain stair safety products.

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Some common causes of falling down the stairs include:

  • Slippery stair nosing (the rounded edge of stair treads)
  • Missing or broken handrails
  • Broken stair treads
  • Broken or rotting wood
  • Lack of uniformity in stair tread length or height of steps
  • Fall hazards on the steps (objects, snow, ice, wet leaves)

Stair users have a responsibility to look out for fall hazards in their way, but not all falls can be prevented this way. If your accident occurs on someone else’s property, they can be liable for your injuries.

Where Do Most Stair Falls Take Place?

The majority (60%) of stair fall accidents take place in a home, but this doesn’t mean you can’t recover compensation for your injuries. Landlords have a duty to their tenants to maintain the safety of the home, including any staircases. Poor maintenance can lead to falls and other accidents that can result in multiple injuries. Workplace accidents and nursing home accidents can both result in severe injuries. Business owners and municipalities have to create and maintain safe conditions for their customers. If you or a loved one becomes a fall victim due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced attorneys at Curcio & Casciato. Our legal team can support you through this process and explore all legal options.

If your loved one fell at a nursing home, our Chicago nursing home falls attorney has extensive experience litigating Chicago nursing home abuse claims.

Fall Risk in Chicago, IL

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Younger children and older adults are likely to suffer more serious injuries during stairway falls. Children under 10 are more likely to suffer head and neck injuries, while adults are more likely to sustain a fracture. Pregnant women have a fall risk as well, since their center of gravity changes during pregnancy. People with mobility issues are also at a higher risk of falling.

Children under 3 and older adults over 85 have the highest rate of injury, but 67% of the injuries happen to people between 11 and 62 years old. 

If your loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the facility should fill out a risk fall assessment for nursing homes in Chicago.

Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for Falling Down Stairs Injuries?

Property owners have a responsibility to maintain their property and keep it safe. This includes business owners, landlords, and even city governments. When property owners fail to keep stairs safe, severe injuries can occur. You and your legal team must prove that the negligence of another party caused your injury and that those injuries caused financial losses. The setting of your injury can greatly impact your personal injury claim. Staff and managers can be held responsible for nursing home falls, and workers’ compensation can cover injuries at work. You may have a valid premises liability claim if you were injured due to poor maintenance.

A personal injury lawsuit can be a complex issue to navigate alone. Trust the knowledgeable Chicago personal injury attorneys at Curcio & Casciato to guide you through the process.

What Compensation is Available to Stair Fall Victims in Illinois?

Stair-related fall injuries can cause lasting damage and have a lengthy recovery. Fall injuries can even result in catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you have a legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries. At Curcio & Casciato, our Chicago personal injury attorneys fight for every type of compensation you deserve, including economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. 

Economic and Non-Economic Damages for Stair Injuries in Chicago

Economic damages are financial losses associated with the injury. Compensation is meant to return someone to the same financial status they had prior to the accident. These often have receipts, bills, or invoices to show the financial consequences of the injury. Economic damages include:

Non-economic damages are awarded if the injury caused a non-financial loss. This type of compensation does not often have a specific cost. The court awards non-economic compensation based on the details of the case. This compensation often includes:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium for the surviving spouse
  • Loss of enjoyment in life

Our Chicago emotional distress lawyers can show you how to calculate pain and suffering and help you calculate lost wages.

Punitive Damages for Stair Injuries in Chicago

Courts award punitive damages if the negligent party acted with blatant disregard for other human lives. This compensation is meant to punish the responsible party. For example, if you are injured from a fall on a staircase with no railing that your landlord has repeatedly failed to address, you can receive punitive damages.

Experienced Chicago Premises Liability Attorney for Falling Down Stair Injuries

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Stair falls can result in serious injuries that include lengthy recovery periods and a mountain of debt. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney at Curcio & Casciato can help. The team at Curcio & Casciato has been representing clients across Chicagoland for more than 65 years. We know the intense consequences that can stem from an injury, including the physical, emotional, and financial toll. Our personal injury lawyers can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (312) 321-1111 for a free case review.