In many Texas premises cases, the fight isn’t about whether stairs are dangerous—they are. The real question is whether the property owner, manager, or business had a fair chance to fix the hazard or warn people about it.
That often comes down to notice:
- Had the issue been there long enough that a reasonable inspection should have found it?
- Were there prior complaints (about loose handrails, uneven steps, broken lighting, or debris)?
- Did the property respond after an earlier report—or ignore it?
In Selma, many buildings are older or have high resident turnover. That can mean maintenance schedules are inconsistent, shared spaces change hands, or contractors come and go—making documentation even more important.


