How Dangerous Are Escalators & Elevators?

People use escalators and elevators when they shop at the Cherry Hill Mall, visit professional offices, attend entertainment events, obtain medical care, stay in hotels, and for a variety of other reasons.

Anyone with the right to be on the premises of businesses and organizations has the right to expect that the escalators and elevators they use are safe. Escalator accidents can cause serious, permanent injuries, catastrophic injuries, and deaths.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are about 6,000 escalator injuries and more than 10,000 elevator injuries nationwide each year.

Why are elevators dangerous?

The different types of elevators include:

• Hydraulic e Many commercial properties (such as hotels and office buildings) use this type of elevator which uses “a hydraulic piston and fluid-driven system.” They generally require less maintenance than other types of elevators. Hydraulic elevators may not be suitable for taller buildings.
• Traction e These elevators use “ropes, pulleys, and counterweights for movement.” While they’re more suitable for taller buildings, they have higher maintenance costs.
• Machine room-less (MRL) e These elevators are similar to traction elevators though the cost of maintenance should be less than standard traction elevators.

Some of the factors that manufacturers and property owners need to consider for elevators include the height of the building, weight capacity, available space, maintenance requirements, speed, budget, and safety features (such as emergency brakes and backup power systems).

The types of common elevator accidents include:

• Falling down an elevator shaft
• Being struck by an elevator or elevator parts
• Being caught between floors
• Being caught between moving elevator parts
• Getting a hand, arm, or another body part stuck when the doors close
• Being stuck inside an elevator because there’s no emergency exit, no way to communicate with those who can help, or a failure of those who should help to act promptly

Some of the reasons escalators are dangerous include the following:

• Failing to warn riders of the weight limits
• Failing to conduct routine maintenance
• Failing to make necessary repairs
• Improper installation
• Defective elevator parts
• Failing to install barriers to prevent falls down elevator shafts
• Falls because elevators don’t stop even with the outside floor (known as mis-leveling)
• Continuing to operate elevators when they are out of service

Why are escalators dangerous?

According to Engineering Learn, the different types of escalators include:

• Parallel escalators, Here, the up and down escalators are side-by-side – one going up and the other going down. Multiple parallel escalators are near each other but not directly next to each other. Metro stations, malls, and public buildings often use parallel escalators. Spiral parallel escalators are a stylish type of parallel escalator.
• Crisscross escalators. These escalators “place the entrance and exit to its upper and lower end at the opposite ends of the escalator.” They’re popular in airports and department stores.
• Other types of escalators. These include curved escalators, step-type escalators, and wheelchair-accessible escalators.

Some of the reasons escalators are dangerous include the following:

• Mechanical problems. These can cause a user to lose their balance, such as when the escalator stops suddenly or there are loose steps.
• Faulty maintenance. Escalators need regular maintenance to ensure they work properly. Unsafe escalators should be taken out of service until they’re safe.
• Shoelaces, clothing, or the items people carry can cause a rider to become entangled/stuck in the escalator.
• Slip and fall accidents. Wet surfaces, uneven steps, and broken steps can cause a rider to suffer a slip and fall accident when they enter, exit, or use the escalator.
• Excess riders. Each rider should have their own step. Riders who are too close to each other may fall or be knocked about by other riders.

What types of injuries do elevator and escalator accident victims suffer?

Escalator and elevator users may suffer the following types of accidents, among others, when they use an escalator in Cherry Hill:

• Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma
• Spinal cord damage including paralysis
• Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
• Broken bones/fractures
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain
• Nerve damage and muscle damage
• Cuts, lacerations, and abrasions

Escalator and elevator accidents may be fatal.

Who is liable in Cherry Hill for elevator and escalator accidents?

At Ferrara & Gable, we conduct a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for an elevator or escalator accident. The defendants may include

• The property owner. Owners may be liable for failing to conduct regular inspections and order timely maintenance and repairs, failing to warn users that the escalator or elevator is out of service, failing to keep these movable transport devices clean of spills and debris, and failing to warn users of the maximum weight limits.
• Our Cherry Hill personal injury and wrongful death lawyers file product liability claims when defective elevators (and elevator parts) cause accidents. Defects include defective design, construction, instructions, and warnings.
• Maintenance and repair companies. Most premises owners contract with local maintenance and repair companies to keep their elevators and escalators safe. We hold these companies liable when they fail to perform their safety duties.

Our elevator and escalator lawyers will help you obtain compensation for all your medical bills, pain and suffering, income loss, scarring and disfigurement, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, and all other damages.

Elevator and escalator users can help prevent accidents by:

• Monitoring their children.
• Using extra caution if they’re seniors.
• Looking for gaps, unusual sounds, unusual movements, or missing or broken comb plates.
• Reading any warnings.

Many elevator and escalator accidents are life-changing or require extensive medical care. At Ferrara & Gable, we have 50 years of experience arguing cases before juries and negotiating settlements. We represent personal injury victims and the families of loved ones who die in accidents. We fight to obtain all the compensation you deserve. Call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle elevator and escalator cases on a contingency fee basis.