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Hidden dangers of wheelchair ramps

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2021 | Personal injury

Many people in the Wesley Chapel area rely on a wheelchair for mobility purposes. Those who are in a wheelchair also rely on businesses and community buildings to have legal wheelchair ramps that they can use. These ramps make these locations accessible to all. However improperly designed or maintained ramps can be a hazard.

Ramps that are too steep

A wheelchair ramp should have a minimum slope of 1:12 which means that if a ramp is to go up 1 foot it needs to be 12 feet long. If a ramp is too steep there is a risk of tipping backwards or cause serious falls.

Ramps without handrails

In most cases, a ramp that is over 6 feet in length must have handrails. A ramp can become slick and dangerous in the rain and without a handrail a user may not be able to catch themselves if they begin to fall.

Wooden ramp

Wood can rot over time causing a ramp to cave in. A wooden ramp can also be very slippery if it gets wet. A wooden ramp should also be coated in a slip-resistant paint so that it is less slippery for the user.

Legal remedies

If a person was injured on someone else’s property, they may want to speak with an attorney who specializes in premises liability. A bad fall can result in broken bones, a head injury, or other serious injury, which can lead to unexpected medical expenses.

An attorney can investigate what caused their client’s accident and help them understand what legal rights they are entitled to. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.