The Dangers of Faulty Handrails and Their Impact on Safety
When a handrail is loose or goes unrepaired, it can lead to serious falls and injuries. Handrails are present in numerous locations: stairways, walkways, elevators, and wheelchair inclines. These fixtures are crucial for helping us steady ourselves or pull ourselves up. When they fail, they pose a significant risk.
In some situations, an owner might remove a handrail, or perhaps one was never installed when it should have been. In both cases, if an individual requires a handrail that isn’t present or relies on one that is unstable, it can result in severe injuries.
When a handrail becomes dangerous—whether through disrepair or the absence of one—property owners may be held liable for any injuries that occur due to the hazard.
What Makes a Handrail Dangerous?
Handrails are intended to provide safety, especially on stairways or inclines, helping people maintain balance. However, when a handrail is defective, it transitions from a safety feature to a hazard.
Here are some common conditions that make a handrail dangerous:
- Loose Handrail: If a handrail is loose, it cannot offer the necessary support for individuals depending on it for stability.
- Rough Surface: A handrail should be smooth and free of splinters or rusted metal. Any irregularities could cause injury, or even lead to a fall if someone pulls back abruptly.
- Disrepair: A handrail needs to be sturdy and in good shape to ensure it supports individuals safely. Wood that has rotted, rusted metal, broken sections, and other forms of disrepair can compromise the handrail’s safety.
- Missing Handrail: In Pennsylvania, the building code mandates the installation of handrails on any stairway with more than two steps, or any porch or deck with a drop-off of 18 inches or more. If a handrail is missing where it should be, it becomes a hazard.
- Improper Handrail: According to the same code, the handrail should be positioned between 30 and 37 inches from the stairs, and must follow the incline/decline of the stairs. If it’s installed too high, too low, or not aligned correctly, it could be deemed a hazard.
Common Locations for Handrails
Handrails are crucial for safety, especially when they are installed in key places. In Philadelphia, common areas where handrails are typically found include:
- Apartment stairways
- Retail stores and businesses
- Fire escapes
- Public parks and exterior stairways
- Entertainment venues, such as Lincoln Financial Field or The Kimmel Center
- Hospitals
- Police stations
- Tourist attractions like Independence National Park and the Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Penitentiaries
- Schools and universities
Proving a Handrail Injury Claim
Proving that a handrail caused an injury might be straightforward, but establishing that the owner is responsible for the hazard can be more challenging. Pennsylvania law requires that the injured party prove the owner either knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it in a reasonable time frame. This includes the duty to regularly inspect the property and address potential problems promptly.
Another way to prove liability is if the injured person demonstrates that the handrail was improperly installed or repaired. In that case, the property owner could be found negligent and held responsible.
Common Types of Handrail Injuries
Handrail-related injuries typically result from falls caused by faulty or missing handrails, or from hazards on the surface of the handrail itself. Some common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Severe Concussions
- Broken Hips
- Broken Wrists
- Other Fractures
- Severe Sprains
- Deep Cuts or Splinters
If any of these injuries are caused by the negligence of the property owner or manager, the injured party may have grounds to pursue a claim for damages.
Defenses to a Handrail Slip and Fall Claim
One of the challenges in prosecuting a slip and fall case is proving the property owner’s liability. To defend against a claim, the owner may present several arguments, including:
- The owner was unaware of the loose handrail but had a routine inspection process in place, and the defect was recent.
- The owner knew about the loose bolt and was in the process of fixing it within a reasonable time frame, but the injury occurred before the repair could be made.
- If the claim involves improper installation or repair, the owner may provide evidence showing the handrail was correctly installed or fixed.
Contact a Philadelphia Handrail Injury Lawyer
After experiencing a significant injury, it’s important to consult with a slip and fall lawyer for a free case evaluation.
At The Pearce Law Firm, P.C., we have successfully handled numerous fall cases involving injuries that occurred on someone else’s property. Insurance companies are accustomed to dealing with these types of cases and will often try to minimize your compensation or even blame you for your injury.
Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation if you have been injured due to a faulty or missing handrail.
