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For nearly 25 years, attorney Chris Davis and the team at Seattle-based Davis Law Group have been helping victims of escalator accidents across Washington state. Mr. Davis fights for every individual client to make sure they get the proper compensation for their injuries.
For a free case evaluation, call (206) 727-4000 today. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless you win your case.
Fault in an Escalator Accident
There are several potential liable parties after an escalator accident. The details of your specific case will determine who may be at fault.
- The rider. This may be you or another person on the escalator with you. Escalator companies must properly warn people of the hazards, and escalators must be designed in a way that won’t harm people. If you or someone else knowingly breaks the rules on the escalator or acts recklessly, the escalator company likely has no responsibility for injuries.
- The owner/operator of the escalator. For example, if an escalator is located in a shopping mall, the property owner may face a lawsuit if the escalator caused an injury. Those owners must schedule maintenance, conduct inspections, post signs, and properly maintain a safe environment.
- The escalator manufacturer. When an escalator breaks down and causes injury, the escalator manufacturer may be held liable. A design flaw, assembly mistake, or incorrect installation mistake could all be tracked back to the company that made the escalator.
Types of Escalator Accident Injuries
There are a variety of different injuries that victims may sustain in a serious escalator accident. The severity of the incident and the circumstances of the individual will determine the type and during of the treatment.
Potential injuries include:
- Broken bones from falls
- Severed fingers or limbs
- Broken or severed toes
- Serious injuries to skin or scalp
- Serious head injuries and/or brain injury
- Back, neck and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis and permanent loss of movement
- Death
Causes and Types of Escalator Accidents
There is a nearly limitless number of potential causes of escalator accidents.
Below are some of the most common:
- Poor maintenance can cause escalator malfunction
- Unexpected stops can through passengers forward or backward causing falls
- The escalator can have a sudden reversal causing falls
- Passengers can fall over the handrail
- Sandals, flip flops or other open-toed shoes get caught in the escalator
- Children's Crocs or other plastic/rubber shoes caught in the escalator
- Missing stairs on escalator
- Shoelaces caught in escalator
- Clothing caught in escalator
- Hair caught in escalator
- Purses or shopping bags caught in escalator
- Falls or tripping while getting on or off an escalator
- Multi-person falls or pileups on escalators
- Equipment fire
- Blocked egress
- Lack of proper signs during escalator maintenance
- Weather conditions can cause the metal surface of outdoor escalators stairs to become slippery
- Danger from baggage or strollers that fall from or get caught on escalators
- Accidental entrapment on shopping cart escalators
Common Escalator Accident Locations
Escalators are used around the world in places where elevators would be impractical. Escalators have the capacity to lift large numbers of people in a constant flow.
They are most commonly found in the following places:
- Department Stores
- Airport Moving Walkways
- Shopping Malls
- Subway or Bus Tunnels
- Office Buildings
- Museums
- Library and Public Buildings
The Right Escalator Accident Attorney
It is likely most people have or will ride on an escalator at some point in their lives. While accidents are generally rare, when they do occur, they can leave victims with devastating injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured while riding on an escalator please do not hesitate to contact Davis Law Group today. Call (206) 727-4000, use the contact form on this page or use the chat feature below to get started. We offer free case evaluations.