Escalators are handy devices to travel from one floor to the next when carrying bags, making them perfect for large retail stores and airports. There are over 30,000 escalators in the U.S., each handling an average of 3,000 people per hour.
Although escalators can reduce the strain of climbing stairs, they require powerful machinery with many moving parts that can be dangerous to their riders. Were you or a loved one injured in an escalator accident?
The premises liability attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, can ensure you receive financial compensation for your serious injuries. Let our premises liability lawyers protect your rights today.
Contact our Chicago escalator accident injury lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with your personal injury attorney remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Escalators have become integral to our lives since they are available in most public places, such as shopping malls and airports. Unfortunately, while they offer the convenience of quickly taking you from one floor to the other, escalators can also be dangerous.
Escalator-related injuries are not uncommon, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as broken bones or even death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an escalator accident, you should contact escalator accident lawyers to discuss your legal options. An escalator accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
What Causes Escalator Accidents?
Many factors can contribute to an escalator accident. In some cases, the escalator itself may be defective or poorly maintained. The defects can lead to sudden stops or changes in direction, which can cause users to fall and become injured.
In other cases, escalator accidents may be caused by the negligence of the building owner or operator. In simple words, human error is often the cause of the accident.
For example, an accident can occur if an escalator is not correctly marked with warnings or is not adequately supervised.
Some common causes of these accidents are:
- Design Flaws: Structural flaws in escalators include defects in the escalator’s handrails, steps, or other parts.
- Unexpected Reversing Direction: If an escalator unexpectedly changes direction, it can cause riders to fall and sustain serious injuries.
- Excessive Speed: If an escalator goes too fast, it can cause riders to lose their balance. Such a mechanical failure can injure many people at once.
Both elevators and escalators must be maintained regularly to prevent a mishap. The property owner can be held responsible for escalator-related accidents.
What Are the Common Injuries Sustained in an Escalator Accident?
An escalator accident could cause minor bruises to serious injuries such as amputations, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and bone fractures.
Some of the more common injuries [1] that have been associated with escalator accidents include:
Cuts and Lacerations
These can be caused by contact with the escalator steps or handrails or by clothing getting caught in the escalator’s moving parts.
Amputations
In some cases, an escalator accident can cause a person to lose a limb. It is most likely to occur if a person’s clothing or body part becomes caught in the escalator, and the person is pulled down into the machinery.
Fractures
An escalator accident can also cause bones to break, especially when a person falls from the escalator.
Head Injuries
A fall from an escalator could cause a head injury. The injury can range from mild concussions to serious traumatic brain injuries.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in an Escalator Accident?
Property owners, escalator companies, escalator manufacturers, and government agencies can all be liable for escalator accidents. However, the specific party or parties that will be held liable depends on the facts of each case.
The Premises Liability Law hold accountable those who own or manage a property and are responsible for the safety of the visitors on their premises.
Injured victims should hire a law firm or get a free case evaluation from a lawyer to determine if they can file a claim per this law. Most lawyers offer a free legal consultation to discuss your case.
In many cases, escalator accidents are caused by negligence by one or more of these parties. Personal injury lawyers can help accident victims and their families determine who is at fault and get the compensation they deserve.
Property Owners
Companies and individuals owning property are responsible for ensuring that the escalators on their premises are safe for use. It includes regularly maintaining and repairing the escalators, hiring qualified personnel, and using high-quality construction material.
Escalator Maintenance Companies
The company responsible for maintaining an escalator or elevator has to keep it in good working order. This means regularly inspecting and repairing the escalator and keeping accurate records of all maintenance work.
The company also has to ensure the escalator is properly installed. Lack of inspection can increase the risk for escalator riders.
Escalator-Related Injuries Statistics
According to the National Institutes of Health [2], 10,000 escalator accidents occur in the US annually. The common personal injury claims in these instances are:
- Loss of toes and fingers
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Brain trauma
- Crush injuries
These injuries resulting in accidents could disable or disfigure the victim for life. If you or a loved one has been injured in an escalator accident, you may be able to file personal injury claims to recover damages.
How an Escalator Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Chicago escalator accident lawyer can help you file an escalator injury claim. It’s imperative to have a legal team by your side since they can help you pursue the case or settle it out of court.
You can recover the following damages in personal injury cases involving escalators or elevators:
- Medical Care: Expensive medical bills may include hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and other treatments.
- Lost Wages: You could recover lost wages if the injuries you suffered prevent you from working. Personal injury lawyers can help you recover future earnings if your injuries are permanent.
- Pain and Suffering: You can also recover damages for the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, such as emotional anguish and distress. These are applicable in most injury cases, especially if a life-altering injury or trauma occurs.
- Wrongful Death: In some cases, a hazardous accident can result in death. Surviving family members can work with a lawyer to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Personal injury lawyers also ensure you meet the statute of limitations for injury cases in your state and file your claim in accordance with the property liability law. It’s important to work with reliable injury lawyers to create a confidential attorney-client relationship.
Hire a Chicago Escalator Injury Lawyer Compensation Claim
Are you an escalator accident victim? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, represent injured victims harmed by the negligence of others. Call us today at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
We accept all cases on a contingency fee agreement, meaning we don’t get paid until you do.
