Sandy’s mix of residential properties and businesses means stair hazards can show up in predictable ways:
- Wet weather and tracked-in debris: Oregon rain can leave stair treads slick, especially on entry steps, exterior landings, and stairways near parking.
- Lighting that’s out of sync with early/late hours: Evening commutes and winter dusk can make poorly lit stairways harder to navigate.
- Multi-tenant maintenance gaps: Apartments and shared buildings sometimes shift responsibility between property managers, landlords, and maintenance contractors.
- Construction and remodeling transitions: Temporary repairs, uneven transitions, or “work-in-progress” handrails can create foreseeable risk.
When a fall happens around these conditions, the claim often turns on whether the property owner or business knew or should have known the hazard and whether they acted reasonably.


