This guide will explain when you could claim compensation after a fall because of defective stair lighting. A poorly lit staircase is a safety hazard because people may not be able to see the steps properly. Furthermore, if there are hazards on the staircase these may also not be visible. Therefore, people walking could fall on the staircase and suffer an injury. Staircase accidents can happen at work, car parks, or in other establishments where stairwells can be found.
Defective Stair Lighting Claims Guide
If poor stairwell lighting caused an accident which injured you, you could be entitled to claim compensation. One of the lawyers from our panel may be able to help you claim for your injuries. An advisor could connect you with legal representation if they feel you have a strong case.
Get in contact to see if you can claim:
- Call our helpline for free on 0161 696 9685
- Make an online enquiry about claiming
- Type a question for our team into our Live Support widget
Select A Section
- What Are Defective Stair Lighting Accident Claims?
- Why Do Defective Stair Lighting Accidents Happen?
- Injuries Caused By Bad Lighting
- Top Places Defective Stair Lighting Accidents Could Happen
- Calculating Settlements For Accidents Caused By Defective Stair Lighting
- Get Help From A Trip And Slip Solicitor
What Are Defective Stair Lighting Accident Claims?
Staircases should have sufficient lighting as poor or faulty lighting can mean members of the public or employees cannot see the stairs properly. Therefore they may miss a step or not see a slip or trip accident hazard which causes them to fall on the stairs and consequently suffer an injury.
Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, establishments owe the people that use their premises a duty of care. In other words, organisations are responsible for ensuring the reasonable safety of members of the public who use the space for the intended purpose. Inadequate lighting is a safety hazard on a walkway or staircase. If an establishment failed to carry out lighting repairs, they could be liable for any injuries that happen as a result of this.
Furthermore, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers owe their employees a duty of care. They need to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees. If they fail to do this and you’re injured as a result, you could claim.
Why Do Defective Stair Lighting Accidents Happen?
Defective stair lighting accidents can happen because someone cannot see the steps in front of them on a staircase clearly, or at all. This could cause a trip and fall accident.
In some cases, inadequate lighting can mean that a pedestrian cannot see a hazard on the stairs, meaning they’re unable to avoid it.
Here are some hazards that can injure someone on a stairwell that they may not be able to see because of defective lighting:
- A spillage on the stairs, which can cause a slipping accident
- Inability to see the markings on the edge of the steps, meaning that they lose their footing
- Broken handrails that come away under a person’s weight
- Wear and tear on lino or carpet, which causes a tripping accident
- Broken floorboards or nails sticking out a floorboard that pose a trip hazard
Someone in control of a space, whether it’s the party with control over a public space or an employer in a workplace, should take reasonable steps to ensure that defective lighting does not cause an accident. Otherwise, an avoidable accident on the staircase may happen.
If you would like free legal advice about the process of claiming compensation, then speak with a member of our team today. If you have a valid case, you could be connected with a lawyer.
Rates Of Accidents And Injuries On The Stairs
The Health and Safety Executive reports show that in 2020/21, falls from a height accounted for 8% of non-fatal injuries at work. Moreover, falls from a height caused 29 fatal injuries at work in 2020/21. Falls from a height can include accidents where a worker has fallen down the stairs.
The statistics are based on reports from employers under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
Injuries Caused By Bad Lighting
If hazardous conditions cause an accident on the stairs, a pedestrian may suffer from the following injuries:
- Head injuries or concussions
- Back injuries or spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains
- A disclosed shoulder
- Chest injuries, such as bruised ribs
- Cuts and lacerations, for example, if you fall onto a sharp object or jagged surface
- Spinal injuries, such as a broken back
If you would like free legal advice or an assessment of the validity of your claim, speak with an advisor today.
Top Places Defective Stair Lighting Could Happen
A staircase accident that leads to a claim could happen in any setting where there’s a staircase and a duty of care is breached, causing an injury. This could include:
- Shop accidents
- Restaurant accidents
- Accidents at work
- Shopping centre accidents
- Accidents in the communal areas of blocks of flats
- School, college or university accidents
There is normally a three-year time limit to start a personal injury claim. The limitation period generally starts on the date of the accident, or the date you became aware that your injuries were caused by negligence. The latter is called the date of knowledge.
So please get in touch with our team to enquire about claiming compensation for an accident caused by defective stair lighting. If you have a valid claim, you could be provided with a solicitor from our panel.
Calculating Settlements For Accidents Caused By Defective Stair Lighting
If you receive compensation for a defective stair lighting injury claim, your payment can include up to two types of damages.
- General damages will compensate you for the mental or physical pain and suffering your injuries caused and the impact on your quality of life.
- A special damages payment will repay you for the costs associated with your injuries. This could include travel costs to and from medical appointments
The compensation table can be used to estimate what your general damages payment could be. The table is based on the Judicial College guidelines (the latest edition of which was published in 2022), which lists potential injuries and their associated guideline brackets. Special damage payments vary based on circumstances, so they are not included in the table.
| Injuries | Severity | Injury Notes | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head And Brain Injuries | Moderately Severe | Injuries which result in serious degrees of disability. Those affected may be left with paralysis in the limbs or cognitive problems. | £219,070 to £282,010 |
| Head And Brain Injuries | Moderate (i) | The injury has altered the personality and could result in intellectual deficit. The person is at significant risk of epilepsy. | £150,110 to £219,070 |
| Hand Injuries | Effective Or Total Loss Of Both Hands | Injuries which are severe enough to result in the almost complete loss of function in the hands. | £140,660 to £210,490 |
| Wrist Injuries | (a) | Injuries leading to total loss of the wrists use. | £47,620 to £59,860 |
| Foot Injuries | Serious (e) | The person will be left with continuing pain. There could be traumatic arthritis as well as the risk of further arthritis in the future. | £24,990 to £39,200 |
| Elbow Injuries | (b) Less Severe | Injuries to the elbow impairing its function. Surgery will not be required. | £15,650 to £32,010 |
| Elbow Injuries | (c) Moderate to Minor | Simple fractures, lacerations, tennis elbow for example. | Up to £12,590 |
| Knee Injuries | Moderate - (b) (i) | An injury where the knee joint is dislocated, cartilage torn or other injuries causing instability. | £14,840 to £26,190 |
| Knee Injuries | Moderate (b) (ii) | A twisting injury, bruising or laceration. | Up to £13,740 |
| Modest Foot Injury | Modest - (g) | Straightforward injuries such as lacerations and fractures could fit into this bracket. | Up to £13,740 |
The compensation brackets in the table are not guaranteed compensation payments. So, please call our helpline; an advisor can value your claim accurately.
Get Help From A Trip And Slip Solicitor
Legal Helpline works with a panel of knowledgeable personal injury solicitors. If you are eligible to claim, a solicitor from our panel may be appointed to your case. A kind of No Win No Fee agreement, called a Conditional Fee Agreement, could allow you to access the work of a lawyer, typically without requiring any upfront or ongoing fees.
This generally means you will not have to pay a legal fee before work begins on the case, nor will you have to pay as your claim is ongoing. Instead, you will pay a success fee if you win your claim.
What’s more, you will usually not pay your solicitor for their services if you win your claim. The success fee is capped, so most of the compensation goes to you.
Please get in touch with Legal Expert today to see if you can claim compensation:
- Call the team at 0161 696 9685
- Begin your online enquiry
- Or use the web chat widget to ask a question
Learn More About Accident Claims
Please read these guides to find out more about making accident claims.
£80,000 Compensation Payout For A Broken Foot Accident At Work
£75,000 Compensation Payout For A Broken Leg In An Accident At Work
Wrist Injury Claims – How Much Compensation Can I Claim?
An NHS guide to paralysis
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) guidance on safer stairs
An HSE guide to reducing the risk of falls on stairs
If you have questions on whether you could claim if injured by defective stair lighting, please get in touch.
Written by HC
Edited by FS