When a Chair Breaks and Causes Injury: What You Need to Know About Your Rights

Chairs seem simple and safe—something you sit in every day without a second thought. But when a chair collapses unexpectedly at a restaurant, office, store, event venue, or rental property, the injuries can be serious. Broken chair accidents fall under premises liability and defective product law, and in Colorado, victims may be entitled to compensation when a property owner or manufacturer is responsible.

If you’ve been hurt because a chair broke underneath you, here’s what you need to know about the causes, common injuries, and how Chris Parks Law helps people protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.

How and Why Chairs Break

Chairs fail for several reasons, and understanding the cause helps determine who may be legally responsible. Common causes include:

1. Structural Weakness or Wear

Over time, chairs—especially in commercial settings—become loose, weakened, or unstable. Businesses are required to regularly inspect and maintain their furniture. When they fail to do that, they may be liable for injuries.

2. Defective Manufacturing or Design

Sometimes the chair was unsafe from the beginning due to poor design, weak materials, or faulty assembly. In those cases, the manufacturer or distributor may be responsible under Colorado product liability laws.

3. Improper Repairs or Modifications

A business or property owner may attempt a makeshift repair using glue, tape, screws, or other shortcuts instead of replacing the chair. When a repair fails and causes injury, the property owner can be held accountable.

4. Unsafe Placement or Use

If a chair is used incorrectly due to missing safety warnings, improper stacking, or being placed on an unsafe surface, liability may fall on the business or property owner.

Common Injuries Caused by Breaking Chairs

A collapsing chair often results in a sudden, forceful fall that can lead to serious physical harm. Victims commonly experience:

• Back and spine injuries
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Neck injuries (whiplash, strain, fractures)
• Broken wrists, elbows, or arms from trying to catch oneself
• Hip and pelvic fractures, especially for older adults
• Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Bruising, lacerations, and muscle tears

Many victims assume the injury will heal on its own, but back, spine, and joint injuries from a chair collapse often worsen over time and may require long-term treatment, physical therapy, or even surgery.

Who Is Responsible When a Chair Breaks?

Every case is different, but generally, responsibility falls into one of these categories:

1. Business or Property Owner Negligence

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. This includes:

• Inspecting furniture regularly
• Replacing broken or worn-out chairs
• Removing wobbly or unstable seating
• Providing safe alternatives if something is damaged

If they knew or should have known the chair was unsafe, they can be held liable.

2. Manufacturer Liability for Defective Chairs

If the chair failed due to a defect in design, materials, or construction, the manufacturer or seller may be responsible for damages. Product liability claims often involve expert analysis to determine what went wrong.

3. Third-Party Responsibility

Repair companies, event rental companies, maintenance crews, or cleaning services may be partially responsible if their negligence contributed to the failure.

At Chris Parks Law, we investigate all potential sources of liability to build the strongest possible case for you.

What You Should Do After a Chair Collapse Injury

If a chair breaks beneath you, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention immediately, even if the injury seems minor.
2. Report the incident to a manager, property owner, or supervisor.
3. Take photos of the broken chair, the scene, and your injuries.
4. Collect witness names and statements, if possible.
5. Do not throw the chair away or allow the business to discard it—this is critical evidence.
6. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters until you speak with an attorney.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the easier it is top reserve evidence and prove liability.

How Chris Parks Law Helps Victims of Broken Chair Injuries

A collapsing chair may seem minor to others—but the fallout can be life-changing. At Chris Parks Law, we understand that these cases require careful investigation and strong legal strategy. Here’s how we help:

• We investigate the cause of the chair failure, including structural issues, defects, and maintenance history.
• We gather evidence such as surveillance footage, incident reports, witness statements, and the broken chair itself.
• We work with engineers, medical experts, and safety specialists to support your claim.
• We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies that try to minimize or deny your injuries.
• We fight for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs.
• We prepare every case as if it could go to trial, giving you maximum leverage.

When a chair breaks, the injuries can be far more significant than people expect. You deserve a law firm that takes your case seriously and fights for the full compensation you’re owed.

Injured by a Broken Chair in Colorado? We’re Here to Help.

If you’ve been hurt because a chair collapsed or broke unexpectedly, you may have a valid premises liability or product defect claim. Chris Parks Law represents clients throughout Colorado who want accountability and a fair recovery.

Contact Chris Parks Law today for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.

‍