Stairs Without Handrails are Dangerous and Lead to Serious Injuries

In Chicago and everywhere, most homes have stairs.  When stairs lack proper safety features like handrails, they become a hidden hazard. Missing, defective, or wobbly handrails are not just inconvenient. They are a serious safety concern that can result in devastating injuries. In Chicago and in Illinois, property owners have a legal duty to ensure that stairways comply with safety standards, including the installation of handrails. When they fail to do so, and someone falls on the stairs, the owner would likely be responsible for the injuries.

The Critical Role of Handrails: Insights from Research and Case Law
Research shows that handrails play a crucial role in preventing falls. A study by Maki et al. demonstrated that handrails allow individuals to quickly stabilize themselves, reducing the likelihood of a fall. In cases where people lost their balance, those who grabbed a handrail could generate stabilizing forces equal to 60% of their body weight within seconds, a response that dramatically reduced the risk of serious personal injury.

The importance of handrails is not just theoretical. It was starkly demonstrated in the Illinois case of McCarthy v. Kunicki, 355 Ill.App.3d 957. In this case, a 13-year-old girl fell on an outdoor stairway leading to a basement that lacked a handrail. She broke her leg in multiple places, requiring months of medical treatment, including several casts and reliance on crutches and a wheelchair. The court in McCarthy found that the absence of a handrail violated the Chicago Municipal Code, which requires handrails on stairways, even in older buildings. The court determined that these requirements apply retroactively to existing structures, emphasizing the need for all property owners to prioritize safety.

The details of this case highlight the dangers of missing handrails:

The Dangerous Stairs: The defendants owned a home with an outdoor stairway leading to the basement. The stairs lacked a handrail, and snow had accumulated on them at the time of the fall.
The Fall: The girl, directed to use the basement stairs to place a stray kitten in a safe area, slipped on the icy surface. With no handrail to grab for support, she tumbled down the stairs, breaking her leg.
The Court Ruling: The court ruled that the lack of a handrail constituted a statutory public nuisance and violated municipal building codes. The absence of a handrail deprived the girl of a critical safety feature that could have prevented her injury.

This case underscores the legal and moral responsibility of property owners to ensure stairways are equipped with handrails. When they fail, victims often suffer preventable injuries.  Under the Illinois Building Code and Chicago Building Code, handrails are not optional.  Illinois law requires that stairways meet specific safety standards. Handrails are a vital part of these regulations and must:

  • Be installed on both sides of the stairway, unless the stairs are less than 44 inches wide.
  • Be at a height that allows for easy and secure grasping.
  • Be sturdy, continuous, and free of obstructions.

The Chicago Municipal Code explicitly mandates handrails for all stairways, including retroactive application to older buildings, as shown in McCarthy v. Kunicki. Falls caused by missing handrails often result in serious injuries, including:

  • Fractures: Victims frequently suffer broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and hips.
  • Spinal Injuries: A fall down stairs can lead to significant spinal trauma, sometimes resulting in long-term disability.
  • Head Injuries: Without a handrail to prevent a fall, victims risk hitting their head on steps or the ground, leading to concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
  • Soft Tissue Damage: Strains, sprains, and tears can cause lasting pain and limit mobility.
  • Beyond the physical harm, victims often face financial strain from medical bills and lost income, as well as emotional distress from their injuries.

What Injured People Should Do?

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a missing handrail, you can pursue compensation. Under Illinois law, property owners can be held liable for injuries caused by unsafe stairways. Victims may recover damages for:

Medical expenses
Pain and suffering
Lost wages
Loss of a normal life

How the personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. can help?
At Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., we have handled many personal injury cases involving unsafe stairways. Our attorneys deeply understand Chicago and Illinois building codes and premises liability law. We know how to argue cases like McCarthy v. Kunicki to demonstrate negligence and secure the compensation our clients deserve.

We investigate every case, gathering evidence such as photos of the stairway, building permits, and expert opinions. We understand the devastating impact a fall can have, and we fight to hold negligent property owners accountable.

If you have been injured because of a missing or defective handrail, do not wait. Contact Zneimer & Zneimer P.C., a well-regarded personal injury law firm in Chicago, for a free consultation. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

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