Incidents involving elevators and escalators injure about 17,000 people each year in the United States, and cause the death of approximately 30 others, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC also reports that a majority of escalator injuries happen to children.

The most common injuries from escalators are related to falls or entrapment. Although most elevator injuries involve the people who work on and maintain elevators, passengers can get hurt too, the most common injuries resulting from elevator doors closing on a finger, hand or arm, and the most serious injuries resulting from falls into empty elevator shafts.

Elevator and escalator accidents are a form of premises liability claims. In evaluating an elevator or escalator accident case, a preliminary inquiry involves determining the responsible defendant. The primary defendant will typically be the owner of the building where the device is located. Other potential defendants may be the maintenance company that services the device, and in some instances the manufacturer if the equipment is relatively new.

We have extensive experience evaluating and litigating cases involving elevator and escalator injuries. We work with experts who are trained to perform inspections, and educated in the applicable safety codes. Contact us for a free no-obligation consultation.