Falls caused by defective or broken staircases can lead to serious injuries, sometimes even permanent disabilities, or death. If you or someone you love was seriously injured on stairs that were unsafe, damaged, or poorly maintained, you may be entitled to compensation under Georgia premises liability law.

At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., our attorneys have decades of experience helping injured people across Georgia hold negligent property owners accountable. With offices in Athens and Lake Oconee, we represent clients in premises liability and personal injury cases statewide. Contact us at 706-354-4000 or tell us more about your potential case using our online form. Consultations are free and you don’t pay us anything unless we recover money for you in your case.

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What Is Premises Liability in Georgia?

Premises liability refers to a property owner’s legal duty to keep their property safe for guests, customers, and others who are lawfully on the premises. When a person is injured due to unsafe property conditions, such as a broken or defective staircase, the property owner, manager, or another responsible party may be liable for the resulting damages.

Common Premises Liability Claims Involve:

  • Wet floors or spills without warning signs
  • Broken or missing handrails
  • Damaged or uneven stairs
  • Inadequate lighting on stairwells
  • Building code violations

Broken or Defective Staircases: A Hidden Hazard

Staircases in poor condition pose a serious risk in both public and private spaces. Property owners must regularly inspect and maintain staircases to ensure they are safe for use. If they fail to do so, they may be held liable when someone is hurt.

Common Staircase Defects That Lead to Injury:

  • Cracked or rotting steps
  • Loose or missing railings
  • Uneven stair heights or depths
  • Slippery surfaces or worn treads
  • Collapsing staircases or unstable support structures
  • Poor lighting in stairwells
  • Misplaced rugs or carpet defects

These hazards are especially dangerous in retail stores, hotels, apartment complexes, restaurants, stadiums, theme parks, concert venues, and event spaces, where large numbers of people are moving quickly and may not notice hidden dangers.

Who Is Liable for a Staircase Injury?

When someone is injured on a staircase, liability depends on who controls or maintains the area where the accident occurs. Depending on the circumstances, potential liable parties could include:

  • Property owners
  • Business operators
  • Landlords or management companies
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Event organizers
  • Municipal or government entities (in public buildings or parks)

Even if you’re not sure who is responsible, it’s critical to act quickly. Our experienced legal team can help investigate the cause of the incident, identify all responsible parties, and determine whether you have a valid premises liability case.

What If There Was a Warning Sign?

Warning signs can affect a case, but they do not automatically eliminate liability. If the warning was unclear, not easily visible, or failed to adequately alert you to the specific danger, you may still have a valid claim.

Under Georgia law, property owners are still responsible for correcting dangerous conditions, not just warning people about them.

Common Injuries from Falls on Broken Staircases

A fall down stairs can result in life-altering injuries, including:

In serious cases, injuries from defective staircases may require surgery, rehabilitation, or long-term care. Victims may miss work, lose income, and experience chronic pain or life-long disability.

How to Prove a Premises Liability Case in Georgia

To bring a successful claim, you must prove:

  1. A dangerous condition existed on the property (such as broken stairs)
  2. The property owner knew or should have known about the hazard
  3. The owner failed to fix it or warn about it
  4. That failure caused your injury
  5. You suffered damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.)

Our attorneys gather evidence, consult with building code experts, and reconstruct accident scenes when necessary to build strong cases for our clients. We work closely with medical experts and life care planners to establish a life care plan that can be used in expert witness preparation and cross-examination. Certified life care planners create documents based on comprehensive assessments, data analysis, and extensive research for people who need medical care for the rest of their lives because of a catastrophic injury. These documents provide insight into an individual’s future medical expenses and rehabilitation needs, which supports evidence regarding what a case is worth.

What Property Owners Should Be Doing

Under Georgia law, property owners have a duty to:

  • Inspect staircases regularly for damage or wear
  • Repair known hazards promptly
  • Comply with local building codes
  • Install proper lighting in stairwells
  • Maintain sturdy handrails
  • Warn guests of any known, temporary dangers

When property owners neglect these duties, injuries become inevitable, and they can be held legally and financially responsible.

Why Choose BBGA?

At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., we’ve built a reputation for excellence in complex premises liability and personal injury litigation across Georgia. We have the resources of a large firm, the personalized attention of a local team, and a proven track record of results.

We don’t back down from large corporations, insurance companies, or negligent landlords. Whether your injury happened in a big box store, at a concert venue, or at a vacation rental, we are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

A History of Results

We have an established track record of bringing our clients results they expect and deserve. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we know how to fight large corporations, private entities, and the insurance companies.

Speak with a Georgia Premises Liability Lawyer Today

BBGA attorney meets with a client.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured due to a defective or broken staircase, you don’t have to handle the legal aftermath alone. Let BBGA fight for your rights. Call us today at 706-354-4000 or contact us through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no charge unless we recover money for you in your case.