Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Elevators and escalators are used in many types of buildings, from malls to parking structures to grocery stores. Unfortunately, along with the convenience of these machines comes the potential for harm. When accidents are caused by an individual’s or entity’s carelessness in Miami or the surrounding cities, the premises liabilitys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can help try to hold liable those who were responsible. We can assert the rights of accident victims throughout South Florida.

Nationally, approximately 21,000 people are injured each year due to an elevator or escalator accident, with some of these events proving fatal. Elevators and escalators are subject to safety code regulations, and a failure to adhere to these requirements can result in serious injuries. A property owner’s negligence, a faulty part, an inadequate maintenance or installation, or another unsafe condition can lead to an elevator or escalator accident. Some common types of these accidents include:

• Sudden drops or speeding up of an elevator;
• An elevator getting stuck between floors;
• An elevator’s doors failing to open or close;
• Falls exiting from, on, or embarking on an escalator;
• Being entrapped at the bottom or top of an escalator; or
• Having shoes or clothing get stuck between escalator stairs and the sidewall.

Injuries sustained in these accidents may include broken or fractured bones, brain trauma, and spinal cord injuries. Because of the severity of some of these injuries, the financial hardships can also become significant. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney who can help you determine the parties responsible for your injuries may be vital to ensure you protect your right to the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Depending on the type of and reason for an accident, several parties may be liable for the injuries sustained. These may include the manufacturer of an elevator or escalator, the manufacturer of its components, any company in charge of conducting regular safety inspections, and the owner of the property where the elevator or escalator operates. Businesses, where many escalators and elevators are located, must maintain a safe environment for visitors, which includes fixing or warning of any hazards, as well as conducting regular inspections of the premises.

As a result, a property owner that fails to maintain an elevator or escalator in a reasonably safe condition, resulting in an accident, can potentially be held financially accountable for the injuries that occur. A victim bringing a negligence claim against the entity would need to prove that it failed to correct or warn of a hazard of which it knew or reasonably should have known. There also must be a direct causal connection from that breach of the duty of care to the accident. An injured individual who succeeds in a premises liability claim may be able to receive damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, and loss of earning capacity, as well as other forms of harm.

If you have been involved in an accident in the Miami area, the injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon have the experience and knowledge to make sure your legal rights are properly preserved and asserted. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims seek the financial support that they deserve, while they focus on recovery. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. We also represent injured individuals in Miami and other cities throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.