South Jersey Collapsing Stairs & Deck Lawyer
Being on or under a staircase or deck that collapses can be an unimaginably frightening experience. Injuries are likely to be severe if not fatal, and these collapses often involve mass casualty disasters. Stairs and decks that are properly constructed and maintained will last for years and decades without trouble, and they’ll get repaired or replaced as needed. In other words, if a stair or deck collapses, it is because somebody in charge was negligent and failed in their duty to make sure the structure was safe. If you were hurt in a New Jersey stair or deck collapse, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal collapsing deck or stair accident, call me, Joseph Monaco, South Jersey Pennsylvania premises liability lawyer. I have been helping wrongful death and personal injury victims and their families for decades get the compensation they need and are owed after being harmed by another’s negligence. My law firm will put that experience to work for you and take on the job of dealing with property owners and their insurance companies, negotiating a fair settlement, or taking them to court when necessary to get the best result. As an experienced trial lawyer, I never shirk from taking your case before a jury when it is in your best interest to do so. Call today for a free consultation and to get started recovering on your premises liability claim.
Collapsing Stairs and Decks Cause Serious Injuries
Victims of a stair collapse might have only seconds to try and break their fall and minimize the harm they suffer. Deck collapse victims typically have even less ability to mitigate the damage that is about to occur. Some of the most serious injuries are likely to result from being on or under a collapsing stair or deck. Some of the most common injuries victims suffer include:
- Broken Wrists
- Sprained Ankles
- Broken Arms and Legs
- Neck And Back Injuries
- Head And Brain Injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal Injuries
- PTSD/Psychological Trauma
- Wrongful Death
Stairs/Decks Must be Built and Maintained with Care
Decks and stairs must initially be designed, built and installed correctly, or they will collapse either soon or over time. New Jersey building codes can be very specific regarding stair widths, risers, treads, platforms and landings. If built outdoors, stairs and decks must be built with adequate drainage to prevent rot. Parties who fail to follow applicable regulations can be liable for injuries attributable to building code violations.
A staircase that is built, installed, or maintained improperly can separate from the wall and collapse or cave in. Deck collapses can occur due to cantilever failure, if the deck is improperly secured to the structure, or if substandard materials are used. In addition to construction defects like these, negligent maintenance can lead to water damage, rot, dry rot, and rust. Yet another cause of deck collapses is if they become overloaded or overcrowded. It is the responsibility of deck owners to know their weight limits, not to overload them with heavy equipment or furniture, and to post a notice of maximum occupancy where required.
Many Parties Can Be Liable for a Stair or Deck Collapse
Building and installing decks and stairs correctly is only one aspect of keeping them safe. They must also be regularly inspected and properly maintained, including making repairs as needed and putting up any warnings about hazards that have not yet been corrected. Stair or deck collapses might be the fault of negligent construction, maintenance, repair, or use, implicating half a dozen or more different parties. As an experienced premises liability lawyer, I conduct a thorough investigation to identify the responsible party, or more than one if applicable, and make sure all liable parties are brought into the claim or brought into court. This way, I help ensure you receive a maximum recovery for your injuries or the loss of a loved one.
- Hotel Owners
- Apartment Complexes
- Office Buildings
- Landlords
- Contractors
- Architects
- Engineers
- Building Inspector
Serving Atlantic City, Marlton, Cherry Hill, Vineland, Bridgeton, Millville, Camden, Trenton
As a personal injury lawyer with decades of experience in New Jersey and Pennsylvania premises liability cases, I understand what it takes to hold a party responsible for negligence in maintaining unsafe premises. Property owners and managers can be held liable for dangerous conditions they knew about or should have known about yet failed to fix, including a failure to inspect the premises as required by law or as was reasonable. Prior to a staircase or deck collapse, the danger could have been obvious from the structure’s age or physical appearance, or the property owner or landlord might have received complaints or had to make repairs in the past. I’ll bring in all relevant evidence to prove a case against a responsible party and hold them accountable for the harm they have caused.
Contact Experienced South Jersey Premises Liability Lawyer Joseph Monaco
Collapsing stairs and decks are disasters of great magnitude. People can be injured or killed if they are on or underneath a staircase or deck when it collapses, or if they were in the vicinity and got struck by debris. If you or a loved one was hurt in a New Jersey stair or deck collapse, call or text me, Joseph Monaco, premises liability lawyer, at 609-277-3166 or 215-56-3166 for a free consultation. My law firm handles cases throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania including in Marlton, Atlantic City, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Camden, Philadelphia and surrounding areas, and there is no fee until after we recover compensation for you.
