Elevator and Escalator Injuries Can Be Life-Changing
Elevator injuries can occur when an elevator is not properly maintained, when there is a problem with the elevator design, or when an elevator is installed incorrectly. A victim of an elevator injury could become stuck inside an elevator or could be crushed by elevator doors. Victims could fall down an elevator shaft or the entire elevator could fall and take the victim with it.
Brain damage, spinal cord injury, broken bones, other serious injuries, or death can occur when the:
- Elevator doors open without an elevator present
- Cables fail
- Elevator doors open between floors or
- Doors do not work properly
Escalators can also be deadly when problems arise due to lack of maintenance, poor design, installation failures, or incorrect installation. Children and adults could become trapped in an escalator, causing devastating injuries including loss of limbs or permanent disfigurement. Falling down an escalator is also a common cause of serious or deadly injuries.
Victims may need costly medical treatment and the injuries sustained may render them unable to continue working after an incident on either an elevator or an escalator. The pain and diminished quality of life that result can also affect victims of elevator and escalator injuries, sometimes for the rest of their lives. When an elevator or escalator accident is fatal, surviving family members of the deceased can also experience financial hardship and lost companionship.
The Rights of Victims After Escalator or Elevator Injuries
When an elevator or an escalator injury occurs, victims may be able to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim. A victim or surviving family members could take action against the company that manufactured or designed the elevator or escalator if there was a defect that caused harm. In many cases, however, the problem is with the maintenance of the elevator or escalator. When there is an issue with how the elevator or escalator was operated or maintained, premises liability laws could give victims the right to pursue a claim against the property owner or renter responsible for maintenance.
Victims should be fully compensated for all economic and non-financial losses caused by an incident involving an escalator or elevator. It will be important to identify all responsible parties and to make a strong case against those who are at fault for injuries.
Our Firm Can Help You Immediately
A Charlotte premises liability lawyer can help victims harmed by an elevator or escalator incident. Call Brown Moore & Associates, PLLC at 800-948-0577 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can assist you.