Escalators, Elevators, and Moving Walkway Injuries
Although made for customer convenience, escalators, elevators, and moving walkways can lead to devastating injuries. You may be eligible to seek compensation if you were injured using an escalator, moving walkway, or elevator. An attorney who handles personal injury cases can assist you in seeking the money you deserve after an accident.
What Causes Escalator Accidents?
Escalators can cause serious injuries. For example, you could trip and fall on an escalator if it malfunctions. Common escalator malfunctions include sudden and unexpected stops, abrupt reversed motion, or increased speed, all of which could result in you losing your balance and falling. Likewise, mechanical failures can result in injuries if the escalator is improperly maintained or if periodic inspections are not performed.
How Do Elevator Accidents Happen?
Elevator accidents can occur for several reasons, including:
- Maintenance issues – Elevators require regular maintenance to ensure proper operation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires elevators to be inspected monthly to ensure satisfactory operation.
- Door-related problems – An elevator door can malfunction by suddenly closing without warning. Or, the door sensors could fail, injuring someone trying to enter or exit the elevator.
- Falling – An elevator might unexpectedly drop or stop abruptly, injuring any passengers.
What Types Of Accidents Can Occur On A Moving Walkway?
Moving walkways are typically found in airports. Although they can help airline passengers move quickly between gates, they are hazardous and can result in severe injuries. You can be injured if you fall when entering or exiting the walkway or if the walkway experiences an unexpected mechanical failure. Like escalators and elevators, moving walkways require routine maintenance to keep users safe.
How Do You Prove Liability When You Are Injured?
Your attorney will carefully gather the evidence concerning your accident to determine the entity liable for your injuries, whether sustained on an escalator, moving walkway, or in an elevator. The evidence may include the premises owner’s incident report, photographs, video surveillance footage of the incident, and maintenance records.
Your attorney will carefully examine the evidence to determine who or what entity is responsible for your injuries and losses. For example, in a personal injury case related to a fall on an escalator at a mall, the mall owner, the property management company, or the maintenance company charged with periodically inspecting and maintaining the escalator could be at fault. With an attorney from Ainsman Levine, LLC, you can be confident they will pursue your maximum compensation from the parties who caused your injuries and financial losses.
What Compensation Can I Pursue If I’m Injured?
Every case is different, so you can expect your attorney to thoroughly evaluate your circumstances to determine what categories of compensation you can pursue. However, personal injury plaintiffs typically seek money for:
- Medical bills
- Prescription costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
The amount of money you can pursue generally depends on the nature and extent of your injuries. In other words, the more severe the injury, the more money you can demand, as life-altering injuries often mean significant medical expenses and a lengthy recovery period in which you are unable to work.
Call Ainsman Levine, LLC, Today
The personal injury attorneys at Ainsman Levine, LLC, are dedicated to helping accident victims seek the compensation they deserve after an accident. We understand that you may feel intimidated by the legal process, especially when you want to devote your time to your physical recovery. Rest assured, we will handle all aspects of your case, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.