Reviewing Tampa Building Code Requirements for Staircases After a Fall

If you have suffered injuries after falling down a set of stairs in Tampa, it might be necessary to review the Building Code. This is a set of rules that all builders must follow when constructing staircases in the City of Tampa. Often, property owners fail to adhere to building codes – leading to safety issues that can lead to serious accidents. Can these violations lead to slip-and-fall lawsuits in Tampa? Can a lawyer help you recover meaningful compensation?

A Summary of Florida’s Staircase Rules 

First, there are specific rules about the “rise” and “run” of individual steps on a staircase. Each step must not be too steep or narrow for obvious safety reasons. There are also specific rules about the “headroom clearance” of staircases in Tampa. This ensures that taller individuals do not strike their heads while trying to navigate stairs – and it also decreases the likelihood of falls.

Handrails and guardrails are required whenever staircases have four or more risers. This provides a valuable source of assistance for those who have difficulty balancing. It also prevents people from falling long distances. If handrails are present, they must be capable of withstanding at least 200 pounds of pressure. This ensures that most people can put their full weight on handrails if necessary. Finally, handrails must be a certain height.

There are many other details to consider when it comes to Florida’s Building Code. Your lawyer can help you review the specific dimensions associated with these regulations. If it becomes clear that you slipped and fell on a staircase that was not to code, it may be possible to pursue compensation.

Lighting Requirements for Staircases 

Although not strictly related to staircases, Florida also has strict lighting requirements in its Building Code. If you slipped down a dimly lit staircase, the property owner might be to blame. If you slipped down an outdoor staircase at night and there was insufficient lighting, this might also lead to a slip-and-fall lawsuit.

Examples of Accidents Caused by Building Code Violations 

Building code violations can lead to accidents in various ways. Perhaps you were walking down a set of staircases with steps that were not long enough for your feet. You might have put your foot onto a step with your toes protruding over the edge, causing you to fall forward and suffer a traumatic head injury.

Perhaps there was no handrail on a staircase far above the ground, and you plummeted two stories before suffering multiple fractures. Maybe you were going up a step of stairs that was too steep, and you fell backward before suffering a neck injury. These could all potentially lead to valid claims.

Can a Tampa Lawyer Help You Recover Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall? 

A Tampa slip-and-fall lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation after a staircase accident. Property owners should make reasonable efforts to keep their staircases as safe as possible. If they fail in this duty of care, you may be able to hold them accountable. To learn more, consider speaking with Anderson & Anderson today.

Sources:

 talgov.com/Uploads/Public/Documents/growth/forms/in-res-stair-handrail-req.pdf

tampahomessold.com/top-10-building-code-violations/