Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
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.