The Scary Truth About Elevators and Escalators

 Posted on September 18, 2017 in Personal Injury

People take elevators and escalators on a daily basis, sometimes as much as two or three times a day. Most people do not give a second thought to the safety of these modes of transportation, but they should. According to the CDC, elevators and escalators kill approximately 30 people and seriously injure 17,000 on an annual basis. Elevators account for 90% of the deaths and 60% of the injuries. Nearly half of injuries and fatalities happen to individuals who are assigned to maintain or work on elevators or escalators.

Depending on the nature of the accident, escalator and elevator accidents can result in serious injuries, including but not limited to paralysis, amputation, or even death. If you were injured on your daily ride up or down an elevator or escalator, or if you lost a loved one to an elevator accident, reach out to the compassionate Dallas personal injury attorneys at Clark Law Group for immediate legal representation. We can review the circumstances surrounding the accident and discover the evidence necessary to build a solid case.

Determining Legal Liability in Elevator Accidents

Elevator and escalator accidents are almost always caused by faulty equipment or poor maintenance procedures, and are rarely ever the fault of the injured party. Elevator accidents typically occur because an elevator is misaligned and not level with the floor, an elevator door closes too quickly, or the elevator car suddenly drops. Escalator injuries typically happen because of wet or slippery surfaces, entrapment (when an article of clothing or accessory gets trapped in the moving mechanisms), or falls over the handrails or down the steps. If any of these situations sound familiar, and if you suffered an injury or loss because of one of these issues, you may be entitled to significant compensation. However, in order to win a sizeable settlement, you must be able to first establish fault.

When an accident does occur, OSHA is called in to investigate the cause of the accident, along with the building's insurance company and local law enforcement. It is their job to establish whether the owner, installer, manufacturer, or elevator maintenance crew is legally liable. Who is ultimately liable depends on the nature of the accident. For instance, if a malfunction occurred because of a defective component, the manufacturer can be held liable. On the other hand, if the owner of the building failed to keep an older elevator in a reasonably safe condition, the fault could fall to them. If the accident occurred because of an installation error, the installation team may be responsible.

Unfortunately, many of these investigations are cursory or delayed, which can make it difficult to establish cause and liability. At Clark Law Group, we partner with a number of experts who can perform the diligent investigation necessary to establish cause.

Let a Compassionate Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer be the Legal Support You Need

Elevator and escalator accidents can have serious repercussions on one's life, including but not limited to permanent disability, extensive medical bills, and even death. Beyond medical bills, a person's injuries can result in lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages that are incomprehensible for most people to think about. If you were injured in an elevator accident, or if you lost a loved one in an accident caused by faulty equipment, reach out to the Dallas personal injury lawyers at Clark Law Group today. We can be your guide during this difficult time in your life and ensure that you are justly compensated for your loses.

Call 469-906-2266 to schedule a consultation with an experienced and compassionate lawyer today.

(image courtesy of Miguel Sousa)