Michigan Stairway and Steps Injury Lawyer

A Michigan stairway and steps injury lawyer represents clients who are injured in falls due to defective premises. These falls result in very serious injuries and can cause permanent harm.  In some cases, a fall can result in a tragic death.

A person injured in a fall due to a defective and dangerous condition on a property can sue the owner and other negligent parties.  These lawsuits often result in significant settlements to compensate the injury victims.

A top-rated personal injury attorney at The Buckfire Law Firm will investigate your claim and calculate the extent of your losses. We do not charge any upfront fees and only earn a fee if you win a settlement. Call us now for a free consultation.

• What Are Common Causes of Defective Step and Stairway Accidents?
• What Are Common Steps and Stairway Injuries?
• Who Can I Sue for a Fall on Defective Steps or Stairways?
• Get Legal Help From a Michigan Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

What Are Common Causes of Defective Steps & Stairway Injuries?

In 2022, approximately 8.5 million people were treated in emergency departments for fall-related injuries. Stairways and steps are more likely to have hazards caused by some conditions that the property owner should have fixed.

This might arise from any number of circumstances, including:

• Slippery steps due to snow and ice
• Broken stair railings
• Missing stair railings
• Broken or rotting wood stairs
• Cracked or chipped concrete
• Wet surfaces

When a person falls due to a dangerous condition, it is essential for an injured claimant to be able to document the hazard. While some of these dangers are apparent, others require the skill and experience of a Michigan stairway accident lawyer.

Common Defective Steps and Stairway Injuries

The most common steps & stairway injuries include:

• Sprains and strains
• Fractures or broken bones
• Lower extremity injuries, such as knee injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Lacerations or cuts
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Brain bleeds that can lead to death

What To Do After a Stairway or Steps Injury?

After a stairway or steps accident, it is vital to take immediate action to preserve your ability to file a claim and maximize your potential compensation. Property owners may quickly repair or clean up the hazard that caused your injury, making it difficult to prove negligence later.

Here’s what you should do immediately after your stairway or steps fall:

• Seek Medical Attention: It’s important to seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Not only does this ensure your health is protected, but it also creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident, which can be crucial in your legal case. Tell the EMS technicians and doctors exactly what caused your injury, as they often include this information in your medical records.
• Take Photographs and Video of the Scene: This is very important because the dangerous condition on the stairs or steps may be repaired shortly after your incident. Photos are the best way to prove that a hazard existed and caused your injury. If you are too injured to do it yourself, then ask a friend or even an eyewitness to do it for you.
• Fill Out an Incident Report: Notify the property owner or manager immediately and file an incident report. Incident reports provide written documentation of the incident and are sent to the liability insurance company for the property. Include all important facts, such as a description of the hazard, a summary of your injury, and the pain you felt after the fall. If possible, also take a photograph of your completed report so the business cannot later claim that you did not file one or that the incident never happened.
• Note Surveillance Cameras: It can be helpful to note any surveillance cameras or Ring doorbells nearby that may have captured the incident. These video cameras often show exactly how the injury occurred and the extent of the hazardous conditions. This can become strong evidence in your legal case and provide great proof of negligence and liability for the negligent maintenance of the stairs and steps.
• Gather Witness Information: Get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses are necessary if the case goes to court and provides evidence to help win your case.
• Consult a Michigan Stairway & Steps Injury Lawyer: Contact a stairway and steps injury lawyer at Buckfire Law as soon as possible. We will gather additional evidence, including video surveillance, and demand copies before they are erased after 30 days. We also hire private investigators and other experts to help prove your case.

Who Can I Sue For a Fall on Dangerous Stairs or Steps?

When a serious injury occurs on steps and stairs, there is a good chance that someone is liable.  On private property, for example, this at-fault party is usually the owner of the structure or a maintenance manager. On other properties, multiple parties may be at fault—such as the owner of a mall or its management company.

Many times, the property owner was negligent for not complying with state and local building codes and ordinances. A violation of these codes is a strong basis for a case and is used to prove liability. Our fall injury attorneys investigate all potential legal basis for holding the negligent person or business accountable for the injuries.

An injured person lawfully on the property has a legal right to seek compensation for injuries. If it can be demonstrated that a landowner should have been aware of dangerous conditions on a stairway, there are grounds for filing a claim with the help of an experienced Michigan injury lawyer.

How Much Are Michigan Stair Injury Settlements?

The amount of a settlement depends on several factors.  First, how solid is the liability claim.  Second, what is the nature and extent of the injuries and medical treatment. And third, how much are the medical bills, lost wages, and other economic harms.

You are entitled to money compensation for your physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, and economic losses.  Our attorneys will work hard to win you the maximum settlement for your case.

Dangerous Stairway Settlement Example

A renter in a large apartment complex started to descend the internal staircase in his unit. After two steps, the handrail broke away from the wall due to an old, worn and defective piece of hardware. The renter fell down steps and struck his head. He later died from a brain bleed directly caused by the fall.

Our attorney filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the landlord. The suit alleged the landlord failed to properly inspect the railing to ensure it was in safe condition for the tenant. Through extensive document reviews, he learned that the complex had a history of the failing hardware and despite this risk, did not replace them. The case settled the for $650,000.00.

Dangerous Steps Settlement Example

A truck driver completed a delivery to a loading dock in Pontiac, Michigan.  While descending a wooden steps, they collapsed and he fell ten feet to the ground.  He suffered a serious spinal cord injury that rendered him disabled from work.

Our lawyer filed a lawsuit alleging negligence by the property owner and proved the steps were in poor condition with rotted wood. We hired a wood scientist to establish liability and other experts to prove damages in the case. The case settled for $1,325,000.

Seeking Legal Help From a Michigan Injury Attorney

If you were injured due to a hazardous stairway or steps, you have the legal right to pursue a claim. You can receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.

To begin taking legal action, call a Michigan stairway accident attorney now. We will start working on your case immediately.

We charge no legal fees unless you win a settlement. It costs nothing to get started on your case.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY:

Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D., Lead Trial Attorney at Buckfire Law
Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D. has over 30 years of experience specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and attended Wayne State University School of Law. Lawrence has been named a Super Lawyer, U.S. News Best Lawyer, and in The National Trial Lawyers-Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
 Date of Review: June, 2025