Escalators can make life significantly easier and are a common sight in retail stores, airports, sporting arenas, and office buildings around the world. Though many are safe to ride, some can lead to dangerous accidents. The injuries caused by escalator accidents can be serious and debilitating, especially when an accident occurs at a high speed.
If you were injured in an escalator accident, you should get in touch with a DC escalator injury lawyer right away. If you do not take legal action early, it may be difficult to get the compensation you need to cover your medical and living expenses. Fortunately, a skilled attorney could provide you with the advice and guidance you need to win your case.
Escalator accidents can occur in a plethora of places, but there are just a few common factors that cause the vast majority of accidents. Some of these factors include:
If any of the factors above cause an accident, the owner or manufacturer of the escalator can be held liable by a local escalator injury attorney.
Escalator accident cases are often premises liability cases. Since it is the responsibility of a property owner to ensure the escalator in their possession is properly functioning and maintained, they can be held liable if an accident occurs. If a property owner is aware an escalator poses a threat to visitors, but refuses to remedy the situation or warn visitors, they can be held responsible for damages.
When evaluating a premises liability case, the court will examine what type of action could have been taken to prevent the accident. It will also determine what a reasonable property owner would have done under the same circumstances.
Some escalator accidents are caused by poorly manufactured escalators, whereas others are dangerous from the start. If they are sold or distributed, the manufacturer may be at fault, especially if they were aware of any potential flaws. Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe to use before they enter the market, and they should be rigorously tested and examined for any shortcomings before they are released to consumers.
If you were injured in an escalator accident, you may be wondering who you should hold liable. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim, and if you miss the deadline, the court may refuse to hear your case. An attorney can provide you with the guidance you need to make the right legal decisions. Call a DC escalator injury lawyer now to schedule a consultation and find out more.
