In many premises injury claims, it’s not enough to prove the stairs were dangerous. The key question becomes whether the property owner or manager knew (or should have known) about the hazard and still failed to fix it, warn people, or maintain safe conditions.
That “notice” can show up in New Orleans in practical ways:
- A prior tenant complaint about a loose handrail or uneven steps
- Maintenance work orders that didn’t address a known defect
- An incident report from earlier in the season (especially in multi-unit buildings)
- Lighting issues in stairwells or entries that are repeatedly described by occupants
When notice is supported by records, insurers are more likely to consider settlement. When it’s missing, claims often stall.


