Proving Fault In Elevator & Escalator Accident Claims

These Accidents Are More Common Than You Think!

The Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks the incidents of elevator and escalator accidents, and all states require those who install these devices to have them regularly inspected for safety. Despite these precautions, however, there are still thousands of injuries every year, including those caused by plummeting elevator cars, closing doors, loose escalator steps and side wall defects.

Who is Responsible?

Elevators are boxes or cars that operate by being hoisted up and down with a pulley system. Escalators are moving stairs that take people up and down from one floor to another. Elevators and escalators are common in department stores, office buildings, government buildings and other large establishments.

Under Florida law, all property owners must maintain their premises in a safe condition. Since most escalators and elevators are located in public buildings such as stores or offices, this usually means that the building owners or government agencies are responsible for the safety of elevators and escalators. However, in some cases third parties may also be liable if escalators or elevators are not maintained in a safe manner.

In order to show that escalators or elevators are safe, Florida requires regular inspection by state agents. These inspections are required in order for the building owner to receive an operating permit. Building owners are also required to maintain inspection logs, records of maintenance and other documents that must be produced on demand by licensed authorities. Those who do repair work on elevators and escalators are also required to be licensed and must show that they are competent to make repairs if necessary.

What Happens When Someone is injured by an Escalator or Elevator?

In many cases in which someone is injured in an accident involving an escalator or elevator, a fall is involved. The victim may fall down or up the escalator steps due to faulty design or construction, or may fall due to the sudden unexpected movement of an elevator car. In other cases, a victim’s clothing or shoes may be caught in the mechanism of the escalator, or the doors of an elevator may close on a victim’s body.

When someone has been injured in an escalator or elevator accident, the victim should immediately seek medical attention. If the injuries are shown to have been caused by the negligence of the building’s owner, the victim may have a claim for damages.

Getting Help With Your Case

Once the victim’s injuries have been established, the next step is to review the maintenance and inspection records for the device. Unfortunately, many victims do not know how to go about finding this information. The elevator and escalator accident attorneys at David & Philpot, P.L. help victims recover compensation for their injuries, including payment of medical bills, pain and suffering and even lost wages due to the accident. Contact one of our experienced attorneys today for a free, no obligations consultation of your case.