Injured As A Result Of A Defective Or Dangerous Escalators?

Escalators are everywhere, especially in a major city like New York. We use them each and every day, at the subway station, local mall, in our office buildings’, schools’ and sometimes even in our apartment buildings. Even though we use escalators on a daily basis, be it as part of our daily commute or venture to the local mall, we can tend to overlook the fact that they can be incredibly complex and dangerous pieces of machinery when they aren’t maintained properly.

Incidents involving escalators seriously injure over 6,000 people each year in the United States, according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

It’s because of these statistics and the complexity of the machinery involved that there are local ordinances and state laws that dictate the manner in which escalators are maintained and serviced. Escalators have to be regularly maintained, serviced and must pass regular inspections to prevent accidents and consequently, serious injury. The majority of escalator accidents are simply caused by improper maintenance and lacklustre servicing of the escalator and its parts.

Things like

• broken or missing steps
• Faulty wiring
• gaps between the “comb plate” and the step at the bottom or top of the escalator
• unsecure handrail
• clothing caught in the steps, side panels and skirt guard of the escalator
• improper calibration of the escalator leading to sudden stops, “jolts” or changes in the speed of the escalator
• Debris caught in the steps or comb plate

The above are just examples of what can occur when an escalator is improperly serviced, maintained or repaired and it’s these situations that can lead to serious injuries on escalators.

Building owners have what is called a “Non Delegable duty” to keep its premises and it’s parts in a reasonably safe condition and that includes it’s escalators and this means that they can’t simply pawn off responsibility for the escalator’s condition on a 3rd party. In a lot of cases, there will also be an escalator maintenance company, hired by the building pursuant to a contract who are responsible for the inspection, upkeep and maintenance of the escalator. That is where, an experienced escalator attorney like the attorneys from the Law Offices of Darren Moore PC step in and take care of everything. At the Law Offices of Darren T Moore PC, our escalator attorneys’ will conduct a thorough and diligent investigation which includes:

• Visiting the location and taking pictures
• Speaking to witnesses
• Obtaining surveillance footage
• Requesting all complaints, notices of violation, inspections and reports from the New York City Department of Buildings
• Requesting that the escalators control system data is maintained
• Reviewing all service contracts and 3rd party contracts to identify who else may be responsible

If a building owner fails in it’s NON-DELEGABLE duty to provide a reasonable safe premises which includes it’s escalators and as a result, you or a loved one has been injured, you may be entitled to compensation and should pick up the phone and call our office for a FREE CONSULTATION. A severe injury can keep you or a loved one from working and even lead to permanent disability.  At the Law Offices of Darren T. Moore our firm and escalator accident attorneys will work thoroughly to investigate your accident and seek any benefits that you are entitled to. It is important that you begin working on a claim without any delay. Personal injury claims can be complex and time-consuming and that is why you should seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney to help you with your case. Call our office and we will happily guide you through the process.

If you or a loved one has been injured while using an escalator, you should reach out to the Law Offices of Darren T. Moore for a free consultation. Our professional and highly trained escalator injury attorneys will help you every step of the way with your case and help you seek the justice you deserve. Our motto is “MOOREJUSTICE!”

Call us today at (917)809-7014