Many of us use stairways on a regular basis, whether to enter retail establishments, to get to our offices, to get up to our apartments, and otherwise. Unfortunately, stairways aren’t always safe for everyone to use, and at times, people can sustain very serious injuries due to certain stairway hazards. If you were recently injured in a stairway accident, you should continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Manhattan premises liability lawyer from the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to learn more about these accidents and how we can help if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What steps should I take if I’m hurt in a stairway accident?

If you are hurt in a stairway accident, you should make it a point to document the incident and get medical treatment immediately. This can include taking pictures of the unsafe stairway conditions, notifying the property owner of your injury, asking witnesses for their contact information, and, of course, calling emergency medical services to the scene so you can be transported to a hospital for treatment. You should also speak with a personal injury lawyer who can help you gather and present all other information that may be useful in satisfying the burden of proof in your personal injury claim.

What damages can I recover?

As long as we can prove you were hurt due to no fault of your own, you should receive compensation to help you recuperate from the damages you’ve incurred. This can include the cost of medical bills and lost wages, as well as the “cost” of non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, a lower quality of life, emotional trauma, and more.

How long can I wait to file a personal injury claim in New York?

In New York State, accident victims are required to file their personal injury claim within a certain timeframe, known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, the statute of limitations is three years, however, there are exceptions to this, and in some cases, the statute of limitations may be way shorter. In any event, it is always best to simply bring your injury claim to the attention of a seasoned attorney as soon after your accident as you can.