Throughout the United States there are over 30,000 escalators in hotels, malls, stadiums, department stores, office buildings and airports. In fact, a study conducted by The Ohio State University College of medicine and Public Health indicated that there were around 26,000 escalator-related injuries reported among individuals under the age of 19 between 1990 to 2002.
Escalators are intended to move large numbers of individuals among different stories inside buildings and other structures. They are essentially a moving staircase with a motorized chain that moves a series of steps up and down tracks.
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys believe that if you or a loved one has been injured in an elevator accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their losses and damages, including; medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages and funeral expenses.
To learn more, simply complete the Free Case Evaluation form on this page – It’s 100% free.
THE CAUSES OF FRIGHTENING ESCALATOR ACCIDENTS
There are several components included in an elevator; therefore there may be many different causes of escalator accidents. These accidents can occur to individuals riding on the escalators or maintenance working on fixing or adjusting the escalator. In any case, our attorneys have gathered the most common causes of escalator accidents.
Some common causes of escalator accidents include:
- Defective escalator parts
- Escalator malfunctions
- Improper behavior on escalator
- Loose clothing getting stuck
- Poor escalator maintenance
- Slippery escalator surfaces
When an escalator accident occurs due to one of these factors or another, it will typically result in an injury. These injuries can range in severity depending on the number of factors involved.
ESCALATOR ACCIDENT INJURIES CAN BE SEVERE
In most cases, escalator accident injuries are caused when an elevator comes to an abrupt stop. Of course, there is one notable elevator accident, which occurred at King’s Cross in the London Underground. This incident was caused by improper elevator maintenance, which led to a fire and an explosion into the ticketing area killing 30 innocent people.
Some common types of escalator accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Bruises
- Concussions
- Dental injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Facial injuries
- Lacerations
- Loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrist injuries
If you or a member of your family has been injured while riding an escalator, it is important to seek immediate medical attention for these injuries. This will assure all injuries have been cared for while also providing you with necessary documents, which can be used to formulate a case against the injury-causing individual or entity.
HOW TO AVOID ESCALATOR ACCIDENT INJURIES
Essentially, an escalator can be considered to be a form of transportation. Many cities even dedicate entire weeks during the year to promote escalator safety due to the fact that negligence is often associated with escalator accidents.
Some tips to avoid escalator accident injuries include:
- Avoid taking excessive luggage, bags or cargo on escalator
- Do not take any wheelchairs, strollers or grocery carts on escalator
- Hold the handrail while riding
- Keep both feet planted on steps
- Pay attention to any loose clothing
- Supervise any children on escalator
Nearly all escalators are equipped with an emergency stop button in the case that something happens. It is also advised to call for help if an unfortunate incident happens to occur while you are riding on an escalator.
NEED HELP? REACH OUT TO US
At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, our attorneys understand the struggles following an injury; therefore we are focused on proving our clients with the compassion and determination while seeking the maximum compensation benefits available. Having won MILLIONS in successful verdicts and settlements for our customers, we have the skills and resources to achieve the justice you deserve.
We have offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Waterbury and New London, and serve clients throughout Connecticut.
To learn more about how our attorneys can help you during your time of need, or to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys, we invite you to contact us at 800-PERKINS today. Our attorneys all operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will not charge you for any of our services unless a winning verdict or settlement has been achieved and you get paid.
Begin now by completing the Free Case Evaluation form on this page – It’s that easy.