This chapter looks at examples of balcony falls involving adults. It relates these falls to building regulations, standards and codes of practice, and how these have been seen to govern the standard of care offered to the users of buildings, particularly public. Although falls from domestic balconies do occur, most accidents that involve litigation occur in public buildings or hotel where the victim is not familiar with the surroundings, the balcony or balustrade specifically. Victims are usually, but not always, tall and have often consumed at least a moderate amount of alcohol prior to the fall; some accidents happen late at night. Typical injuries are fractured skulls and spines with a number of victims left as para- or quadriplegics from spinal injuries. Falls in which victims are attempting to climb between balconies or otherwise behaving in a reckless fashion are not considered. Children's falls as a result of climbing over or falling through balustrades will also be excluded because the causes of the falls are behavioral rather than biochemical. Important cases will be highlighted and legislation, standards, and codes of practice cited.
Samenvatting