If you rent a new or newly renovated home in Sharswood, Philadelphia, do not assume the stairs are safe just because they are new. A staircase can be dangerous from the day it is finished if the step heights vary, the treads are too narrow, or the handrail ends too soon. If a building defect such as this caused your slip and fall accident, the landlord or builder may be legally responsible.
At Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer, we represent Sharswood tenants and visitors injured in slip and fall accidents on new or renovated stairs. This discussion explains the common construction mistakes that cause these falls and what steps to take after an injury.
New Rentals Have Gone Up on Once-Vacant Lots in Sharswood, Philadelphia
Renting has a long history in Sharswood. In 1937, a federal housing survey put the homeownership rate in the neighborhood and nearby areas below 10%. In 2015, more than 1,300 structures in the greater Sharswood area received condemnation notices under a large redevelopment plan, and demolition followed.
Since 2020, small, privately built rental buildings have gone up on formerly vacant lots on blocks such as the 2100 blocks of Master Street and Seybert Street. These buildings belong to private owners rather than a public agency.
Older homes nearby have also been renovated and rented out again. Two examples are century-old rowhouses on the 2400 block of Sharswood Street and the 2200 block of Seybert Street, both with active rental licenses. Renovation permits in the neighborhood often include replacing an entire staircase.
Why Can One Uneven Step Cause a Serious Fall?
A single uneven step can cause a severe fall because your brain expects every step to match the previous one. Once you get used to a staircase, you usually stop looking directly at your feet. A step that is even slightly higher or lower than the rest can catch your toe going up or cause you to lose your footing coming down.
Narrow treads create a similar hazard. When the flat surface of a step is too narrow to support your full foot, part of your foot hangs over the edge, making a slip much more likely. These flaws usually stem from rushed work or poor measurements during construction. Falling on a full flight of stairs can cause severe injuries, including broken bones, hip fractures, and traumatic brain injuries.
What Happens When a Handrail Stops Short or Is Missing?
Without a handrail to hold onto, a minor trip can quickly turn into a fall down the entire staircase. On newly constructed stairs, workers might omit the rail entirely or stop it a few steps early, leaving you with nothing to hold at the top or bottom. This risk increases significantly when carrying groceries or guiding a child.
Falls are especially dangerous for older adults. CDC data shows that in 2021, Pennsylvania’s fatal fall rate among adults 65 and older reached 92.1 per 100,000 people, exceeding the national average.
What Makes an Unfinished Landing a Fall Risk in Philadelphia’s Sharswood?
Unfinished work on a stair landing creates a major tripping hazard where people turn or change direction. The landing might only have exposed subflooring, or a piece of metal trim might be missing along the edge. Even a minor ridge between flooring surfaces can catch a shoe. Additionally, if builders fail to connect the light fixture over the landing, residents must navigate the stairs in the dark.
Leftover construction materials create another serious hazard in buildings occupied before work is complete. Paint cans or scrap wood left on landing areas force residents to step around debris without a clear view of the next step.
What Risks Exist With Stairs in a Renovated Sharswood, Philadelphia, Rowhouse?
Renovations can make an old staircase look brand-new without addressing structural defects underneath. Fresh carpet or paint often hides steps that have settled unevenly over time as the wooden frame shifted. If contractors only replace select treads, the new steps may not match the height or depth of the existing ones.
Adding new flooring at the top or bottom of a flight can also make the first or last step a different height than the rest. Other critical work may be left incomplete; for instance, workers might remove a handrail to paint and fail to reinstall it.
What Rules Must New and Rehabbed Stairs Meet in Philadelphia?
New and renovated staircases must comply with Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code, the statewide building safety standard. Basic code requirements demand consistent step heights, deep treads for proper footing, and sturdy handrails. In Philadelphia, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issues building permits and enforces these regulations.
Permit records reveal which contractor completed the work and when. Showing that a staircase violated building codes helps prove the work was completed carelessly, providing strong evidence for your personal injury claim.
What Proof Should You Gather After a Stairway Fall in Sharswood?
Photos of the hazardous stairs and your official medical records are critical evidence, so seek medical attention immediately after a fall. Before anyone repairs the damage, photograph the exact step where you fell and the surrounding area. Hold a tape measure or ruler against the steps in the photos to document unequal step heights. Notify your landlord of the fall in writing, and save all text messages or email exchanges regarding stair conditions.
Act quickly: Once a property owner repairs the stairs, proving what caused your fall becomes much harder. Our Sharswood, Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyers investigate permit records, maintenance requests, and physical stair measurements to demonstrate how a dangerous condition was created.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Rental Stair Falls in Sharswood, Philadelphia
- Can Someone Other Than My Landlord Be Held Responsible for a Fall on New Stairs?
Yes. A builder or general contractor whose crew constructed or renovated the stairs can be held liable if their faulty work caused the defect, even after tenants moved in. Because your landlord may also share responsibility, a single claim can name multiple negligent parties.
- Can I Still Recover if I Was Not Holding the Handrail When I Fell?
Yes, provided your share of fault is determined to be 50% or less. Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law, your financial recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Although insurance adjusters may argue you should have used the handrail, that argument carries little weight if the handrail was missing, loose, or ended prematurely.
- Do I Have a Case if New Stairs in My Sharswood Rental Caused My Fall?
Quite possibly. A successful case generally requires documented injuries requiring medical treatment and an identifiable hazard created or left unaddressed by another party, such as uneven step heights. Our attorneys can evaluate your photos, medical records, and accident details during a free consultation.
Hurt on the Stairs of a New Rental? Contact Our Sharswood, Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer
If you fell on new or newly rehabbed stairs in a Sharswood rental, reach out to our Sharswood, Philadelphia slip and fall accident lawyers at Rand Spear – The Accident Lawyer. Call 215-985-0138 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Located in Philadelphia, as well as Cherry Hill and Marlton, NJ, we assist clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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