Staircase falls in Princeton often cluster around predictable situations:
- Seasonal debris and moisture: snow melt, salt, leaves, and tracking from outside can make stair treads slick—especially near entry stairs.
- High-turnover properties: rentals with frequent tenant changes, and student housing areas, can experience lapses in inspection or repairs.
- Visitor-heavy common spaces: apartment lobbies, entryways, and shared stairwells where deliveries and guests move through throughout the day.
- Lighting and wayfinding problems: dim stairwells or lighting that’s blocked by clutter can contribute to missteps.
These patterns matter legally because they help establish whether the hazard was foreseeable and whether reasonable maintenance was actually being performed.


