Window and Balcony Fall Injuries: What Parents Should Know

How Do Fall Injuries Happen to Children From Windows and Balconies?

Kids are natural explorers. Whether they’re checking out the view from a vacation rental or watching the world go by from your apartment, they’re always looking for the next exciting thing. But that curiosity can put them at risk for serious injury. When property owners and landlords fail to properly secure and maintain their windows and balconies, these everyday features can quickly turn into sites of devastating falls.

While we expect these places to be up to code, the reality is that management companies cut corners on routine maintenance to save a few dollars. When you step into a new rental or hotel room, watch for these common signs of property negligence:

Outdated or unsafe glass. Many older homes and rental units have windows made with annealed glass. This common material is less expensive, but it breaks easily. Children are at risk of suffering serious cuts that require stitches when this lesser quality material shatters upon contact.

Faulty window screens. While they may look sturdy, window screens are designed to keep bugs out. If an unsupervised child pushes or shoves a screen, even with very little pressure, the screen can fall out.

Low balcony railings. Children are curious, and when railings are too low, they may be tempted to climb or lean over—putting them at risk of falling from dangerous heights. That’s why balcony railings in apartments, hotels, and rental properties must meet safety code requirements. (Hotel balconies are a common location for these types of falls.)

Outdated railing designs. Many older apartment buildings and hotels have horizontal railings that children can climb or vertical bars spaced wider than current safety standards allow. Modern building codes typically require vertical guardrails with openings no greater than 4 inches to help prevent children from slipping through.

Unsecured windows. Over time, window locks can become worn and break, causing some windows to slide or swing open easier than you’d expect. A small push from a child can be enough force to fully open a window and lead to a fall incident.

Why Are Children at a Higher Risk of a Window or Balcony Fall Injury?

To understand why windows and balconies are incredibly dangerous, it’s important to look at these places the way a child does. For example, many toddlers start climbing even before they can properly walk. This kind of exploration is a normal and healthy part of childhood development. Climbing supports hand-eye coordination, engages multiple parts of the brain, and helps them build spatial awareness.

Little ones are curious and drawn to whatever catches their attention in the moment. Whether it’s a garbage truck backing up, a dog walking by, or a busy pool at a vacation rental, their instinct is to get as close to the action as possible. But their brain and depth perception are still developing, so they don’t understand safety risks. For example, they don’t know how high off the ground their hotel, apartment, or vacation rental is, or that a flimsy window screen isn’t a solid wall.

What Safety Measures Can Prevent Fall Injuries From Windows and Balconies?

The best way to prevent fall injuries is through proactive maintenance at hotels, apartments, vacation rentals, and rental properties. Whether this be from a management team, landlord, or property manager, they are responsible for conducting routine checks of the property, including windows and balconies. Maintenance teams should be looking for:

Balconies that are up to code regarding railing height and guardrail spacing.
Fully secured window screens in the frame.
Quality windows made of strong glass, like tempered glass, with no cracks, chips, or weak window frames.
Working locks on windows and balcony doors that lock tightly and prevent little hands from opening them.

When maintenance teams identify a window or balcony as unsafe, the issue should be addressed promptly. If you notice anything wrong with a window, balcony lock, railing, or door, report it to the property management team or ask for your family to be moved to a different location.

Lastly, if you rely on help from a kids club in a hotel or a babysitter hired from an app, they should properly supervise your child around windows and balconies.

Who Is Liable if My Child Suffers a Fall Injury From a Window or Balcony?

When a child is injured due to an unsafe window or balcony on someone else’s property, the case may fall under premises liability. This means your child’s injury was easily preventable because the property feature was unmaintained. In these cases, the property owner, landlord, manager, or business owner may be held responsible for your child’s fall injury.

If someone, such as a caregiver at a hotel, did not properly supervise your child when they fell through a window or from a balcony, it can be considered negligence. Check out this article to learn more about what you can do next if your child was injured by a fall from a window or balcony because of negligent care.

Your family has the right to take legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for your child’s fall injury. Hiring a lawyer is key to your child and family’s well-being after a traumatic incident. Contact The Button Law Firm with any questions. Our team is here to help.

Additional Free Resources to Help Guide You and Your Family

Still have questions about your child’s fall injury and want more free resources before you reach out to our child injury lawyers? Use these free resources:

My Child Was Injured Because of a Window or Balcony Fall. How Can The Button Law Firm Help My Family?

If your child suffered a fall injury from an unsafe window or balcony anywhere in Texas, contact our experienced child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers List, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Call us at 214-699-4409, email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com, or fill out a contact form for a free case evaluation.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you've suffered serious injuries due to the negligence of someone else, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We know how difficult getting through this can be. That’s why our experienced team wants to help guide you – as we have helped guide many of our clients within Dallas and the surrounding areas.

You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com. Feel free to contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation by filling out the form below or by starting a chat with a member of our team.

What Should I Know About Child Injuries From Window and Balcony Falls in Texas?