A fall caused by broken or unsafe stairs can leave you with a pile of medical bills, weeks of missed work, and an extensive recovery process. If the accident occured on someone else’s property, you may be wondering about your legal rights and options. Premises liability law governs these types of cases and determines when an owner can be held responsible for damages. If you’re wondering whether you can sue a property owner after falling on their broken stairs, continue reading and speak with a Washington, D.C. premises liability lawyer today.
What is Premises Liability Law in Washington, D.C.?
Premises liability law makes property owners legally responsible when someone is injured on their property. Property owners must take reasonable care to maintain their premises in a safe condition, including performing regular inspections and maintenance, taking prompt action to resolve hazards, and warning guests about potential danger by roping off the area, posting signs, or issuing verbal warnings.
In Washington, D.C., premises liability extends to three categories of visitors: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. A person invited onto the property for a purpose that benefits the owner is an invitee. This includes tenants, customers in a store, delivery drivers, and more. Property owners owe invitees the highest level of care.
Licensees are social guests, friends, family, and other people who are allowed on the property for reasons other than business purposes. They are owed a moderate level of protection. Trespassers, as in those who enter the property without permission, are owed the lowest duty of care, and the property owner’s only responsibility to them is to refrain from intentionally harming them.
Can I Sue a Property Owner for Broken Stairs in Washington, D.C.?
You may be able to sue a property owner for broken stairs in Washington, D.C. However, you must be able to demonstrate that they are liable for the accident and your injuries. If the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the broken stairs and failed to act, they can be held responsible for your damages. For example, if a landlord ignored complaints from tenants about loose handrails, you can sue if your accident resulted from the hazard.
If you were a trespasser, however, you may not be able to sue for your damages. Property owners have no legal obligation to warn intruders about potential danger. As long as they are not setting traps and intentionally harming trespassers, they have upheld their duty of care.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?
If you successfully sue a property owner after being injured on their broken stairs, you could recover a variety of types of compensation. Relevant damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
For more information and to obtain skilled representation during your claim or lawsuit, reach out to a skilled attorney at Trombly & Singer, PLLC today.