Elevator and Escalator Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

The Facts About Elevator and Escalator Accident Litigation

Most of us don’t give the act of stepping into an escalator, or riding on an escalator, a second thought. If we are at a mall, hotel, or even inside of an office building, it’s second nature. In fact, according to ConsumerWatch.com, Americans take 18 billion elevator trips, and another 105 billion escalator trips, every year.  Fortunately, most of these trips are utterly uneventful and routine.

However, you may be surprised to hear that escalators and elevators are responsible for a significant number of serious injuries each year.

According to the statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, roughly 30 people are killed and another 17,000 are injured every year while riding escalators and elevators.

Sadly, many of these deaths and injuries are preventable, because they are the result of negligent behavior on the part of property owners and managers.

How the Law Protects Consumers

Elevators and escalators are required by law to be in safe working order. This means they must be professionally installed, maintained and repaired by licensed personnel and inspected regularly.

Should they not meet inspection requirements, owner/operators are typically required to correct any deficiencies before they are placed back in use.

Those who fail to keep escalators or elevators in safe working condition and/or make timely repairs can be held liable under state laws — and may have to pay fair compensation to those who are injured as the result of any negligence.

Let’s take a closer look at how people typically suffer such injuries when traveling on escalators and elevators.

Common Injury Scenarios

There are a variety of ways one can become seriously injured when traveling on elevators and escalators. These include the following:

• Tripping and falling over broken or missing escalator steps
• Falling off an escalator due to poor design or broken parts
• Not having working handrails
• Sudden stops or reversals or escalators or elevators
• Violent elevator drops/falls
• Being trapped inside an elevator
• Electrocution from faulty wiring
• Getting pants or shoelaces stuck in escalator steps

Such scenarios can lead to broken bones, cuts and abrasions, concussions, crushed arms and legs, neck and back injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries and even death.

In these cases, the help of an experienced attorney is vitally important.

Handling Complex Injury Litigation

Injuries or deaths associated with elevators and escalators often require complex legal cases in order to establish liability. These cases may include claims filed under premises liability, product liability or negligence statutes.

Because these cases often require specialist knowledge, it is critically important to work with partners who have specific experience within this field. Those who have been injured may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and many others areas. 

Finding the Right Attorney

Choosing an attorney to represent you in an elevator or escalator injury case is an important decision. At Mansell Mansell Ayala + Villaneda, we have the necessary experience to handle even the most complex cases. Contact us today for a fast and free consultation.