Escalators are part of daily life for many New Yorkers. From the train station to a department store, escalators are used all around the city in order to move people from one level to another. However, escalators can be extremely dangerous.
Accidents on escalators are all too common, especially if the machine is in disrepair. When a person falls on an escalator, he or she may suffer serious and debilitating injuries. At Hill & Moin, we want to help anyone who has become a victim of an elevator or escalator accident. We are there for our clients. With us, it’s like having a “lawyer in your family.”
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with an escalator accident lawyer to find out your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ.
New York Escalator Laws
In New York City, the law requires every elevator and escalator to be properly installed and maintained. In fact, there is an entire division of the Department of Buildings dedicated to keeping elevators and escalators maintained in accordance with the NYC Building Code’s standards. In addition to being inspected upon installation, escalators must be inspected periodically in order to remain in compliance with our state’s legal standards.
The reason for these strict regulations is because property owners and government entities alike have a legal obligation to keep their buildings and machinery in good repair and with low-risk of injury. Oftentimes, property owners hire specialized companies to install and service their escalators. In turn, that company has a duty to keep the escalator running smoothly and free of hazards.
If the escalator is not properly maintained or repaired, however, the property owner and/or the escalator service company may be held liable under premises liability law. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York escalator accident, you need professional and considerate help from a dedicated personal injury attorney.
Causes of Escalator Accidents
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, “about 25,000 people in the general public were treated at hospitals due to elevator- or escalator-related injuries in 2017, and the number jumped by 30 percent in the last decade.” Many of these injuries were likely caused by a malfunctioning or poorly repaired escalator.
For example, an escalator may cause accident or injury if it:
- Starts or stops unexpectedly
- Runs at incorrect speeds
- Has structural issues
- Is missing “teeth” on the track
- Has loose or missing screws
- Has broken or missing steps
These signs indicate a lack of proper maintenance or even serious mechanical or structural problems.
Accidents that may result from escalator malfunction include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents – especially with elderly passengers
- Between-step entrapment
- Lodged personal effects such as hair, clothing, or shoes
- Finger entrapment – particularly with children
- Comb plate entrapment
These escalator-related accidents may lead to serious bodily harm such as broken bones, bruising and lacerations, traumatic brain injuries, joint injuries, and spinal cord injuries. The resulting pain and suffering can be extremely difficult for families to deal with. What’s more, your family may end up facing extensive medical bills.
You do not have to go through this alone. At Hill & Moin LLC, our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to getting our clients the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Contact us today to talk about your escalator case with a highly experienced accident lawyer.
After an Escalator Injury
Property owners have the responsibility to keep every elevator and escalator in good repair. If they fail to do so and you or your loved one is injured, they may be held liable for damages that you incur. Damages may include compensation for medical bills, lost income, home care, and rehabilitation in the case of severe injury.
After an elevator or escalator accident, you must seek legal help as soon as possible. This will allow your escalator accident lawyer to investigate the case – to examine the maintenance and inspection reports on the escalator, to look at security camera footage to find a record of the accident, and to seek out any witnesses to the incident.
At Hill & Moin, our escalator accident attorneys treat our clients like family. We are there from start to finish to walk our clients through each step of your personal injury case. You need to talk to an escalator accident lawyer as soon as possible, as New York does require these lawsuits to be filed within a limited amount of time.
How to Stay Safe on an Escalator in the Future
Since escalators are a part of daily life for many New Yorkers, it is important to be able to face escalators after an accident or injury. There are some steps we can take in order to avoid escalator accidents.
These are tips for escalator safety according to New York City’s government website:
- Step on and off carefully
- Hold the handrail
- Help young children and seniors
- Always face forward
- Don’t touch the sides below the handrail
- Never ride with an open stroller
- Make sure your shoelaces are tied
Following these steps can help to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Premises Liability Lawyers Who Care
Everyone has the right to be safe when they enter any building or train station. Sadly, though, due to human negligence, thousands of escalator accidents happen every year. At Hill & Moin LLC, our premises liability lawyers believe that our clients deserve compensation for their injuries caused by the action or inaction of others.
Our New York personal injury law firm passionately defends our clients, and we have obtained over $200 million dollars in awards and settlements for our clients in their personal injury cases. Overall, we have more than 40 years of experience in handling personal injury lawsuits – experience that you may find invaluable.
Don’t wonder about your rights! Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ.
