Seeking Damages for Slip and Fall Accidents and Escalators
Escalators make it easy to move from floor to floor in shopping malls, airports, and subway stations. But when escalators are poorly maintained, they can lead to serious injuries. A premises liability attorney can help victims of escalator accidents recover compensation for their injuries and other damages.
At Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP, our team of premises liability attorneys represent victims of slip and fall accidents and escalators in and around White Plains, NY. If you have been injured in an escalator accident, you are encouraged to contact our attorneys to learn more about legal remedies that may be available to you.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents on Escalators
In most cases, slip and fall accidents on an escalator are the result of improper maintenance. Poorly maintained escalators may have broken steps, loose screws, or gaps between steps and the sides of the escalator. Common accidents caused by faulty escalators include:
- Unexpected stops: Poor escalator maintenance may also cause an escalator to abruptly stop, which may result in a person losing their balance and falling.
- Slippery guardrail: If a guardrail is not properly maintained, it could cause someone to slip and fall by failing to provide adequate support as the person steps onto the moving escalator.
A slip and fall can also occur if someone runs down an escalator and loses their footing. This can cause a domino effect if there are others on the escalator, potentially causing injuries for everyone involved.
Types of Injuries in Slip and Fall Accidents on Escalators
Slipping and falling on an escalator may result in minor to severe injuries, depending on the situation. There are many possible injuries that someone may experience in a slip and fall accident on an escalator. Some common ones include:
- Skin lacerations
- Broken bones
- Neck injury
- Back injury
- Sprains
- Head trauma
- Amputations
Sharp teeth on the edge of escalator stairs can cause lacerations. If clothing, hair, or a finger or limb gets caught on an escalator stair, it can pull the person as the escalator moves, potentially severing a finger or causing some other serious injury.
Seeking Damages in an Escalator Slip and Fall Accident
When an escalator accident in Whites Plains is the result of poor maintenance, the property owner responsible for maintaining the escalator may be held liable for injuries. Under premises liability laws, property owners have an obligation to keep visitors and guests of their property reasonably safe. This means escalators should be properly maintained through routine inspections and necessary upkeep.
Those who have been injured in an escalator slip and fall accident as a result of a property owner's negligence may be entitled to damages for their injuries including compensation for hospital expenses and lost wages.
Contact the Attorneys of Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP
If you live in or around White Plains and believe you're entitled to damages for your injuries, please call (914) 686-3700 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys. Our premises liability attorneys can review the details of your case to help determine the best course of action for your situation.