There are many people who use elevators and escalators every day. Most of the time, these machines are not usually thought of as dangerous. However, accidents can occur on either an elevator or an escalator. This may be the case if they malfunction or are not properly taken care of. In these situations, those who use them can sustain serious injuries such as crushed limbs, broken bones, and brain injuries. When this happens, victims often want to pursue legal action as justice for their suffering. This can be done with the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Common Accidents
Both elevators and escalators are complex machinery. If something goes wrong, it can cause a dangerous accident. Some of the most common accidents can include but are not limited to the following:
- Between-step entrapments
- Gaps and spaces
- Inadequate lighting
- Loose or missing screws
- Improperly working emergency buttons
- Faulty handrails
- Missing steps
- Electrical or mechanical malfunctions
- Design flaws
- Finger entrapments
Who is Liable?
When working to hold someone liable for elevator or escalator injuries, it is important to understand the difference between premises and product liability. There are some cases in which a property owner can be held responsible for an elevator or escalator injury if it occurred on their grounds. This is because, under premises liability law, property owners have an obligation to provide a safe premises for guests on their property. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable in the event that a person becomes injured due to their negligence. When a person wishes to prove negligence, they must show the property owner knew about, or should have known, about the hazard and did not fix it.
There are other cases in which a property owner may not be at fault for these accidents. Elevators and escalators have numerous moving parts that must be made correctly in order for the machines to function. If a mistake is made or a manufacturer is negligent during production, the machines can malfunction and cause significant injuries. If a manufacturer is negligent, they may be held responsible for injuries under product liability law.
Recovering Compensation
If successful in proving negligence, injured victims may be able to receive compensation. This may be for the following injuries:
- Concussions
- Cuts and bruises
- Torn ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Joint injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
