Hattiesburg has a mix of older housing stock, rental properties, and active commercial areas where foot traffic increases during peak seasons and community events. In those environments, stair hazards often come down to maintenance gaps that can be hard to see until someone is injured—like:
- Worn or uneven steps from heavy use
- Handrails that are loose, missing, or installed inconsistently
- Poor lighting on stairwells and entry steps
- Loose rugs, debris, or clutter near landings
- Weather-related problems in entryways (tracking moisture and grit onto steps)
When these conditions exist in places where people reasonably expect safe footing—like apartment stairwells, duplex entry stairs, or storefront access points—liability may be on the party responsible for keeping the premises safe.


