Practice Areas Premises Liability Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Banafshe Law Firm's Lawyers are Here After an Elevator or Escalator Accident in California

Perhaps due to their ubiquity, many of us are unaware of just how dangerous elevators and escalators can be. When they malfunction, it can cause a serious accident that results in severe injuries and even death. Because of these hazards, property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their elevators and escalators are well-maintained and in good working order. If you have been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, you should discuss your case with a premises liability attorney to understand your rights. 

Common Elevator Accidents

Elevators are complicated pieces of machinery with many parts that can fail. Here are some of the most common elevator accidents:

• Motion malfunctions such as sudden drops, stops, or accelerations
• Door malfunctions including when people or extremities become trapped in a door
• Free falls 
• Door leveling issues where the elevator car does not stop level with the floor
• Electrical failures and fires

These accidents are often the result of negligent maintenance by the property owner, but can also be caused by the defective design or manufacture of the elevator. An experienced elevator accident attorney will be able to identify the cause of your accident. 

The Hazards of Escalators

Escalators are also complicated pieces of machinery, but unlike elevators, a significant portion of their moving parts are exposed to the rider. Any issue with the escalator that can cause a fall or clothing to become caught can result in serious injuries. Here are some of the most common accidents associated with escalators:

• Damaged or missing steps
• Gaps between the comb plate at the top and bottom of the escalator
• Loss handrails
• Wet or slippery surfaces
• Sudden stops or accelerations that can lead to falls

Escalator accidents may be due to the property owner’s failure to conduct regular inspections of the equipment or keep up with necessary repairs. Property owners may also be liable for escalator injuries if they failed to warn riders of potential hazards. Escalator accidents can be complex, but an escalator accident attorney can gather the evidence you need to pursue your claim. 

Child Injuries and Escalators

Children are especially at risk of suffering a severe injury in an elevator accident. For example: 

• Their feet can easily get stuck in the gap between the escalator and the comb plate
• Their clothing is more likely to get caught in the escalator
• They are likely to get crushed when adults fall on them if the escalator suddenly stops or accelerates

Escalators are designed to serve adults. Children may not be able to easily reach the handrail or may have difficulty navigating the steps. These challenges become hazards if these components are loose or damaged. 

Injured in an Elevator or Escalator Accident? Contact a Premises Liability Attorney Today

Elevator and escalator accident cases are complicated and very difficult for non-lawyers to pursue. To get fair compensation for your injuries, we recommend that you work with an elevator or escalator accident lawyer with experience in handling elevator and escalator claims. Contact the Banafshe Law Firm, PC at 800-789-8840 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help.