Did you know there are more than 30,000 escalators in U.S. malls, hotels, department stores, airports and office buildings? Escalators have the capacity to move large numbers of people, they can be placed in the same physical space as a staircase, they may be weatherproofed for outdoor use, and they have no waiting intervals like elevators. However, there is a downside to escalator use -- they are responsible for sending as many as 10,000 people a year to emergency rooms.
The West Palm Beach, Florida personal injury attorneys of Gordon & Doner, P.A., can offer crucial advice if you've been injured in an escalator accident. Contact us online or call us at 800-659-1159 so that we may assess your case, for free. Our lawyers will determine who is at fault for your injury. If we find that you have a valid claim, we will work tirelessly to help you obtain the money you deserve for lost wages, medical bills, and your pain and suffering.
Escalator accidents occur despite the fact that escalators are subject to state safety code regulations. Improper installation, faulty parts, neglected inspections or improper maintenance may cause accidents.
The most common types of escalator accidents involve:
- Falls on the escalator;
- Entrapment at the top or bottom of the escalator;
- Shoes or clothes being “sucked” in between the stairs and the side wall;
- Clothes being caught on protruding screws.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 50 percent of the side entrapments on escalators involve children five years old or less. A child’s injuries are often caused when hands or footwear becomes caught in the plate at the top or bottom of the escalator, or in the space between moving stairs and the escalator sidewall.
Recently, there have been a notable amount of escalator injuries caused while children are wearing a certain type of shoe known as Crocs™ . These name-brand shoes and other soft-soled shoes are the most common footwear in escalator entrapments, according to the CPSC. The company responsible for manufacturing Crocs has faced legal action several times for escalator-related injuries, leading the company to add safety tips to the tags of its shoes.
When you are traveling on an escalator with a child, make sure to hold the handrail and the child’s hand. Also, try to stand near the middle of the step and keep your feet and clothing away from the sides of the escalator. If you are with more than one child, or have a baby stroller and a lot of packages, it is safer to take an elevator if available.
Escalator accidents can result in horrific injuries such as loss of skin, muscle and tissue damage, permanent scarring and bone fractures. Such accidents can also be fatal. Victims and their families may face lost wages, high medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an escalator accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Please contact Gordon & Doner, P.A. for our free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation. Complete our online contact form or call us toll free at 1-800-659-1159. We represent clients in West Palm Beach, Martin County, Stuart, Pembroke Pines, Miami and throughout Florida.
