In this article in Remodeling magazine's sister publication, Professional Deck Builder, Bruce Barker, an ASHI home inspector, inspect decks every day. Most, he finds, have multiple defects, which is to be expected on older decks. But he also finds serious problems with stairs on recently built decks.
In this article, he focuses on the dangers of stairs, and how to build them right to not just avoid liability but more to the point: to avoid injuring anyone.