We take the safety of stairs for granted until faced with an injury that resulted from a defective stairway. Despite how common stairs are and the regulations and common construction practices dictating how they should be constructed, the number of personal injury cases involving staircases is surprisingly high (only second after road accidents). In the US alone there are close to 12,000 stairway accident deaths that occur every year.
While filing a personal injury claim is the best way to gain compensation for losses due to the accident, expert testimony is key to proving your case. Experts bring detailed knowledge that helps pinpoint the exact cause of the accident.
Without the insights of these experts, you will struggle to show who clearly and objectively. Let’s understand the ways how expert witnesses can help with defective staircase cases.
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Identifying Code Violations
One of the first things an expert will do is to check if the staircase follows building codes. These regulations cover everything – from the height of the steps to the placement of handrails. Violating these codes can directly lead to accidents. In such a case, only an expert will know exactly where to look.
Take, for example, a staircase with uneven steps. You might not think much of it at first. But uneven steps can be a serious safety hazard. Even a slight difference in step height can increase your risk of tripping. An expert in building safety can explain how the uneven steps violate safety codes and how this violation likely caused your fall. Their testimony can turn what seems like a small detail into a major point in your favor. If you are searching for such a witness for your injury you will need to find the best personal injury lawyers in Ellis County. Lawyers at Clay Hinds will help you in any of your personal injury cases.
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Spotting Design Defects
Code violations are one thing, but design defects can be just as dangerous. Sometimes, a staircase might meet building codes but still be unsafe. This is where expert witnesses can really make a difference. They can point out design flaws that aren’t immediately obvious.
Let’s say a staircase is made from a smooth yet slippery material. This might not technically break any codes, but it’s clearly a risk. Especially if the stairs are near a pool or outdoors. An expert in materials or safety design can testify that the choice of material wasn’t safe for the environment. They’ll explain how the slippery surface could easily lead to accidents, even if the construction met all the regulations. This kind of testimony can show that, while the staircase may have passed inspections, it was still a ticking time bomb for someone to get hurt. A good accident Lawyer in Ellis County will help you to find such an expert for your case.
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Assessing Maintenance and Repairs
Beyond the design, another important factor is the condition of the staircase when the accident happened. Was it properly maintained? Did the owner neglect repairs that should have been done? An expert witness can help you answer these questions. They’ll assess whether the property owner kept up with their responsibility to maintain the stairs.
For instance, if the handrail was loose or broken, an expert can testify about how long the problem existed. If the property owner knew about it and didn’t act, then they could be held responsible for your injuries.
Let’s say an expert in structural engineering examines the staircase and finds that the handrail had been deteriorating for months. It will then show that the defect wasn’t just an isolated incident. Instead, it was something that should have been addressed long before you got hurt. Lawyers at Clay Hinds Attorney at Law are experienced in hiring quality expert witnesses for personal injury cases.
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Proving Causation with Injury Reconstruction
Proving that the defect caused your injury is the crux of the case. You need to show that the staircase’s condition directly led to the accident. This is where injury reconstruction experts come in. They use detailed data from the accident scene. Such data could be measurements and witness statements. Their simulations make it easier for others to understand exactly how the defect caused your injury.
The property owner might argue that you weren’t paying attention or that the accident was your fault. But with an expert in accident reconstruction, you can prove otherwise. They can create a simulation that shows how the faulty step collapsed under normal pressure. This visual evidence is hard to refute. It demonstrates that the accident was due to the staircase’s failure, not because of anything you did. That’s the kind of testimony that can swing a case in your favor.
Conclusion
In defective staircase cases, expert testimony is often the deciding factor behind the direction of the verdict. By focusing on code violations, design defects, maintenance failures, and causation, the personal injury lawyers in Ellis County will build a strong case for you. If you wish to hire the best accident Lawyer in Ellis County, you should contact us. Our lawyers will leave no stone unturned to get you the justice you deserve.