Elevator and escalator accidents occur on a daily basis at various locations such as apartment, office buildings and retail environments. Proper maintenance is the key to an elevator’s or escalator's safe operation. Unfortunately, many elevators and escalators are not properly inspected or maintained, leading to significant personal injuries and death.
Often it is the building owner or management company that is responsible for making sure elevators and escalators are in proper working condition. If an elevator/escalator is not routinely inspected and maintained, the likelihood of failures increase.
Elevator failures include doors not properly opening and closing, elevator floor not properly lining up with the building floor resulting in a tripping hazard, open elevator shafts, and elevators missing stops or having sudden drops.
Every year, nearly 10,000 people are sent to the emergency room because of escalator accidents. Many are children. Some of the biggest hazards on escalators is where the moving steps meet the side, missing teeth where you step off at the top, and screws protruding from the escalators' sides.
Each of these types of problems can result in significant injury or even death. Building owners, management companies and elevator repair companies may each share in the liability for accidents. Having the right attorney who knows how to investigate and prosecute these cases is essential to your recovery of compensation for injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, contact us for a free consultation and to determine your rights. |