Property owners are liable for staircase and stairwell injuries when stairs are defectively designed, poorly maintained, or lack required safety features like handrails or proper lighting. If you fall on poorly maintained stairs, photograph the hazard and obtain building maintenance records. Expert testimony on stair safety codes helps establish negligence.

Staircase and Stairwell Accidents in Illinois: Premises Liability Claims

Staircase falls are among the most dangerous premises liability incidents. Unlike a slip on a flat surface, a staircase fall involves tumbling across multiple steps, often landing on hard surfaces at the bottom. The injuries are frequently severe — broken hips, spinal fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and in some cases, death. And unlike most slip-and-fall cases, staircase accidents often point to structural or maintenance defects that the property owner had clear responsibility to address.

This article is part of our complete guide to premises liability claims in Illinois.

Common Causes of Staircase Accidents

• Missing or broken handrails. Building codes require handrails on staircases for a reason. A missing, loose, or broken handrail eliminates the primary safety device people rely on to prevent falls.
• Poor lighting. Inadequate lighting in stairwells prevents people from seeing steps, edges, and hazards. Poor lighting is a recurring issue in parking structures, apartment buildings, and commercial properties.
• Uneven or damaged steps. Cracked, chipped, or uneven steps create tripping hazards. Steps with inconsistent rise heights (the vertical distance between steps) are particularly dangerous because they disrupt the walker’s rhythm.
• Wet or slippery surfaces. Water, ice, cleaning solution, or worn-smooth surfaces on stairs dramatically increase fall risk. Outdoor staircases exposed to weather and indoor stairs near building entrances are common problem areas.
• Missing or worn nosing. Step nosing (the front edge of each step) provides visual contrast and traction. When nosing is worn away or missing, it becomes difficult to judge where one step ends and the next begins.
• Building code violations. Staircase dimensions, handrail specifications, lighting requirements, and material standards are all governed by building codes. Violations create strong evidence of negligence.

Building Code Standards

Illinois municipalities adopt the International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments. Key staircase requirements include: minimum width of 36 inches for residential and 44 inches for commercial, maximum riser height of 7.75 inches, minimum tread depth of 10 inches, handrails required on both sides for stairs wider than 44 inches, adequate lighting at all landings, and slip-resistant surfaces. Building code violations do not automatically establish liability, but they are powerful evidence that the property owner failed to meet the minimum standard of care.

Proving the Property Owner Knew About the Hazard

As with all premises liability cases, you must show the property owner had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Staircase defects like broken handrails and uneven steps are often long-standing conditions that the property owner clearly knew about or should have discovered through routine inspection. This makes constructive notice easier to establish than in cases involving temporary hazards like spills.

Landlord Responsibility for Stairwells

Landlords bear particular responsibility for common-area stairwells in apartment buildings and multi-unit residences. Stairwells are shared spaces that tenants must use — they cannot simply avoid a dangerous staircase. Courts hold landlords to a higher standard for maintaining common areas, and regular inspection of stairwell conditions is expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a landlord if I fall on a broken staircase in my apartment building?

Yes. Landlords are responsible for maintaining common-area staircases in a reasonably safe condition. If the staircase had a broken handrail, inadequate lighting, damaged steps, or other hazardous conditions that the landlord knew about or should have discovered, you may have a premises liability claim.

Does a building code violation prove the property owner was negligent?

A building code violation is strong evidence of negligence but does not automatically prove liability. You still need to show the violation caused or contributed to your fall and injuries. However, juries view code violations seriously as evidence that the property owner failed to meet basic safety standards.

What evidence should I collect after a staircase accident?

Photograph the staircase — the specific step where you fell, the condition of handrails, the lighting, and any visible defects. Note whether handrails were present and functional. Get contact information from any witnesses. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report. Seek medical attention immediately.

Talk to a Peoria Premises Liability Lawyer

Call (309) 672-9000 or contact us online for a free consultation. At Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law, we handle premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Stairwell accidents can result in serious head, back, and spinal injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a staircase fall due to negligent maintenance, the Peoria personal injury lawyers at Parker & Parker are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

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