According to the National Safety Council, over 1 million injuries occur each year due to stairway accidents. Staircase and stairway accidents account for the second leading cause of accidental injury, second to motor vehicle accidents. Stairway accidents result in 12,000 deaths each year. While some stairway falls are caused by imbalance or inattention, a significant amount of stairway falls are caused by property owner negligence. Examples of property owner negligence include:
Defects to the stairs, stairwell or stairway
Improper or inferior lighting
Dangerous stair risers
Damaged or faulty steps
Lose carpeting
Defective railings or handrails, including improper height of handrail