What If I Was Injured on a Staircase in an Evansville Building?

The 420 Building, formerly known as the Old National Bank Building, is the tallest building in in Evansville. It is 18 stories and 248 feet tall. This building is followed by the Fifth Third Center, which rises 226 feet for a total of 16 stories. Trailing in third place is the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. It rises 216 feet and has five stories.

All three of these buildings were built prior to 1985. In fact, the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse was built in 1891.

Like all buildings of a certain age, these Evansville landmarks have required a decent amount of maintenance over the years. In particular, staircases in older buildings with multiple stories should receive regular maintenance. Although these buildings offer elevators, staircases need to be maintained in case of emergencies. With a cultural push toward exercise, it’s even more important for staircases to be up to code as more and more people choose to “get their steps in” and take the stairs.

If you choose to use the stairs instead of the elevator in most buildings, there are a few essential hazards to look out for in order to avoid a possible personal injury.

Loose Railings

Many people depend on the railing for stability when going up or down stairs. There should be regular checks to ensure that no railings are loose or at risk of falling. Many people place a significant amount of pressure on the railings when going up and down the stairs, and it is the building owner’s responsibility to ensure that the railings are up to code in order to support whatever amount of pressure a pedestrian may place on it.

Trip Hazards

Although many modern buildings utilize concrete stairwells, some older buildings preserve wooden staircases. In some cases, the floorboards of the staircase may become creaky or loose. This could pose a potential slip and fall injury risk. If the floor board is creaking, this could indicate that it may become loose in the near future.

Even if the floorboards are covered in carpet, you may still encounter a trip hazard. Carpeting can loosen and bunch in unexpected places. If the stairs are covered with a rug, the rug may slip and lay incorrectly on the stairs.

Even if the stairs are concrete, trip hazards may still appear over time. Grips placed on each stair can begin to wear and may catch your feet if not placed correctly.

Slip Hazards

Keeping floors dry is an important task, but keeping staircases dry is perhaps even more important. When it’s raining or snowing, visitors can track water, mud, and snow into the stairwell. Maintenance crews should keep an eye on stairwells during poor weather conditions and make sure to mop up any water that presents a slip hazard.

Help from an Evansville Personal Injury Attorney

You should not be punished for choosing the healthier option when visiting a multi-storied building. If choosing the stairs resulted in a personal injury, you could be entitled to compensation. Call Hensley Legal Group today or contact us online, and let one of our experienced premises liability attorneys fight on your side.