Slip and Fall – Unlit Stairwell and Missing Railing Causes Spine Injuries
How It Happened
A woman was checking gas meters for leaks at local buildings in Haverhill, MA. While entering a building, she
couldn’t find a light switch to the stairwell leading down into the basement. Because she could not see clearly,
she fell off a platform and tumbled down the basement stairs. There was no railing at the top of this platform
and the railing to the stairs was also missing.
Our client suffered fractures to the L3 and L4 columns of her spine, abrasions to her face, and lower back pain.
She required months of physical therapy. In addition to these injuries, she suffered from post-concussive
symptom, which kept her out of work for several weeks.