Building Standard Cases 

Concerning Negligent Stair Rails, Railings, Hand Railings, Stairways and Steps

As California personal injury lawyers who are also stairway, rail and hand rail injury lawyers we have had many cases involving trip and falls on stairways, whether caused by bad hand rails, stair railings, steps, incorrect height between steps, slipperiness, etc.

In most of these cases, we use experts and the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, which is also known as the California Building Standard Codes. We use these codes very effectively to show that a premises owner (whether commercial or residential) has not built the structure including the stairway and stair rails (etc.) according to state and national model code standards. The purpose of these regulations is to establish uniform safe standards for stairways, stair rails, handrails, and everything regarding staircases, including slipperiness, height, substances, etc.

We have succeeded in cases by proving that the stairway is less than the proper width, the stairway did not have the proper handrail or stair railing, did not have two handrails or stair railings when the code indicated it should and it only had one. We have proven that stairways having more than four risers must have stair railings or hand rails and therefore the owner is liable to our client who slipped or tripped on the stairs and did not have the benefit of a hand rail or stair railing.

We have used state and local building standards to prove our clients’ cases. Just on these types of cases alone we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of California plaintiffs.

We have won cases by showing that the top of stair railings, handrails, installed after April 3, 1997 must have a vertical height between 34 and 38 inches. We have shown where the height is less or greater and that therefore the property owner is liable.

If you or a loved one is injured due to a stairway, handrail, or stair railing, please contact us. Because of our success, we have grown to 13 offices throughout California. We have an office near you. We would like to help you. We are contingency lawyers, which means that our representation does not cost you anything unless and until we first obtain a recovery for you.

Please complete the email inquiry on the right or call us to speak with an intake specialist at 800-718-4658.