Elevator & Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators are two great modern inventions. They save us time and help us be more efficient. Most of us probably use elevators and escalators without a second thought – in apartment buildings, at work, shopping, traveling, etc.
Unfortunately, elevators and escalators can also cause serious injuries or even be fatal, especially if they are defective. What starts out as a normal day could end in tragedy.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 17,000 Americans are injured every year in accidents involving escalators and elevators. Defects cause many of these accidents.
If you, or your child, were a victim of an elevator or escalator accident, contact Edgar Snyder & Associates today to find out if you have a case.
Elevator Defects
Elevators travel from floor to floor via electric motors. Just like any machine, there are many parts and processes that make elevators work the way they should. Millions of people use elevators every day, and both human error and defective products can cause injuries. Some of these elevator defects include:
- Design flaws
- Mechanical failure
- Service brake defects
- Faulty controls or regulators
- Other malfunctions
- Misleveling – the floor of the elevator stops and isn’t level with the floor of the building
- Doors close too quickly and trap clothing, bags, and even hair
- Abrupt stops and starts
- Lack of lighting – which poses a tripping hazard
Every accident is different, but many injuries happen when a malfunction occurs and the elevator plummets, when the elevator’s brakes don’t work correctly, and when the doors close on people or trap clothing or other personal belongings between them.
Escalator Defects
Even without defects, escalators can cause injuries to children or the elderly, who may react more slowly when getting on or off an escalator. About 10,000 people are injured on an escalator every year.
A faulty escalator may stop or start without warning, or it may have defective side rails. The moving platforms you stand on may be loose and catch your shoelace or cause you to fall. Or, other design flaws could trap body parts, causing broken bones or scars.
How Edgar Snyder & Associates Can Help
Proving that a faulty elevator or escalator caused your injuries can be tricky, and you need a law firm with experienced attorneys who know how to prove these types of cases.
At Edgar Snyder & Associates, we can help you by:
- Knowing the details about elevator equipment
- Gathering necessary evidence, like photos of the elevator or escalator, its parts, and the control room
- Hiring experts, such as an engineer or elevator expert, mechanics, a human factors engineer, or a professional building management expert
- Collecting maintenance and repair records before someone loses or destroys them
- Reviewing contracts between elevator companies and building owners
- And more
If human error caused your injuries – like if a property owner violated safety codes or didn’t maintain the elevator or escalator, you may have a case relating to what’s called “premises liability.” We handle those types of cases as well.
Rest assured, we will work hard and use decades of experience to get you the money you deserve for your injuries. If we don’t win your case or get a settlement in your favor, you won’t owe us a penny. There really is “Never a fee unless we get money for you.”
Get a Free Legal Evaluation Now – Before It’s Too Late
After an elevator or escalator accident, time is very important. Evidence disappears quickly, and it’s critical to prove your case.
Call 1-866-9-4EDGAR (1-866-943-3427), or fill out the form at the top right of this webpage to get started today with a free legal evaluation. You tell us about your accident, and we’ll tell you if we think you have a case. There’s no obligation to use our services, so you have nothing to lose. We’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve.
