# Falls Down Stairs Can Result in Serious Injuries and Substantial Recovery for Victims | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. How Falls Down Stairs Happen 2. Common Injuries from Falling Down Stairs 3. Recovering Compensation for Falls Down Stairs 4. Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Falls down a flight of stairs can cause serious injuries and even death. Falls are [the leading cause of death](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm) in seniors. They are also a leading cause of emergency room visits for all age groups. Slip and fall accident victims might be able to seek substantial compensation for their injuries. But these victims will need to explain what the property owner or occupier could have done to prevent the fall. Here is some information about the injuries and compensation associated with falls down stairs. ## How Falls Down Stairs Happen Falls down a flight of stairs can happen in many ways, including: - Slick surfaces - Raised lips or thresholds - Loose carpet - Cracked pavement - Liquid spills - Poor lighting - Broken railing - Objects or debris on the stairs Most falls fit into two categories. ### Trip & Fall Accidents In a trip and fall accident, something on or near the staircase catches your foot or leg. Since you cannot move your leg forward to support your body, you fall forward. You might throw your hands out to catch your fall. ### Slip and Fall Accidents In a [slip and fall accident](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/slip-and-fall-accident-lawyer/), you lose traction on the floor surface. As your leg slips forward, you fall backward. You might twist as you fall to protect yourself. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Common Injuries from Falling Down Stairs When you trip, you fall forward. You tend to injure the front of your body. You might also suffer injuries to your upper extremities from trying to catch yourself.  Some common tripping injuries include: - Broken fingers, hands, wrists, and arms - Dislocated elbows and shoulders - Broken or knocked-out teeth - Fractured facial bones - Bruised chest - Broken ribs - Sprained or strained knees - Sprained or strained ankles - Broken or sprained foot - Broken or sprained toes When you slip, you tend to fall backward. You will usually injure the back of your body. You might also injure your side if you turned while you fell. Some common slipping injuries include: - Fractured hip - Fractured vertebra - Herniated disc - Strained or sprained back - Head trauma - Traumatic [brain injury](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/houston-tx/brain-injury-lawyer/) - Spinal cord injury The seriousness of these injuries will often depend on the surface and whether you can slow your fall. ### How Falling Down Stairs Amplifies Injuries If you fall while ascending a flight of stairs, you could fall forward into the staircase or back down the stairs. When you fall while descending a flight of stairs, you will tend to tumble down the stairs.  In either case, you will likely suffer greater injuries than you would if you fell on a level surface. When you fall down a flight of stairs, gravity will accelerate your body. You will also impact the stairs several times. Rather than a single fall, as you might experience on a level surface, you will experience several falls from a height as you tumble down the stairs. This can result in many more injuries. Rather than hitting your knee in a fall on a level surface, you might hit your knee, and then your shoulder or back. This can also result in [more severe injuries](https://www.healthline.com/health/fell-down-the-stairs). You could hit your head multiple times as you fall five or more feet each time. Finally, as you tumble, you might lose the ability to stop or slow your fall. This could result in a hard impact on the staircase landing. ## Recovering Compensation for Falls Down Stairs Your compensation after a fall should include your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are designed to cover the financial impact of your injuries and include items like: - Medical expenses - Lost income - Diminished earning capacity Since falls down stairs can cause more injuries of greater severity, you might have substantial medical expenses. You could also miss time from work for recovery and treatment. Finally, you might suffer permanent injuries that affect your ability to work at all. More serious injuries will also support greater non-economic damages. Your pain, suffering, and inconvenience will likely increase with the duration and severity of your injuries. This can result in greater non-economic compensation. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. [Avvo](https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/77098-tx-brian-white-74113.html) / [Justia](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-elliott-white-201630) / [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/attorney-brian-white-378410166) / [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBrianWhiteLawFirm%2F/) / [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDdkDcGkbY2GFTzpeTWypFQ) / [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fattorneybrianwhite%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle/) / [Yelp](https://www.yelp.com/biz/brian-white-and-associates-houston) / Call or Text [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) or Complete a [Case Evaluation Form](/contact-us/) Slip And Fall Accidents Blog Posts: [![Slip and Fall Injuries at Clear Lake Marinas and Waterfront Businesses](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Slip-and-Fall-Injuries-at-Clear-Lake-Marinas-and-Waterfront-Businesses-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/slip-and-fall-injuries-at-clear-lake-marinas-and-waterfront-businesses/) [Slip and Fall Injuries at Clear Lake Marinas and Waterfront Businesses](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/slip-and-fall-injuries-at-clear-lake-marinas-and-waterfront-businesses/) Clear Lake, TX, draws boaters, tourists, and locals to its popular marinas and waterfront dining spots. But amid the [![Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Houston, TX](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Common-Causes-of-Slip-and-Fall-Accidents-in-Houston-TX-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-causes-of-slip-and-fall-accidents-in-houston-tx/) [Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Houston, TX](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/common-causes-of-slip-and-fall-accidents-in-houston-tx/) A slip and fall accident can happen quickly and without warning, but the effects of your injuries may be felt for a [![Houston Texas Lawyer](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Construction-Worker-Falling-Off-Ladder-And-Injuring-Leg-515046929_1255x837-1-1-300x200.jpeg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-challenges-of-slip-and-fall-cases/) [The Challenges of Slip and Fall Cases](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/the-challenges-of-slip-and-fall-cases/) When it comes to slip and fall or trip and fall accidents, a case can come down to the nitpicky details. This makes [![Difference Between Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall Accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Difference-Between-Slip-Fall-and-Trip-Fall-Accidents-300x200.jpg)](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/difference-between-slip-and-fall-and-trip-and-fall-accidents/) [Difference Between Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Accidents](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/difference-between-slip-and-fall-and-trip-and-fall-accidents/) When you are injured on another party's property, you could be entitled to compensation under premises liability laws. --- Source: https://attorneybrianwhite.com/blog/falls-down-stairs-can-result-in-serious-injuries-and-substantial-recovery-for-victims/