Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers

Elevator and Escalator Accidents Injure Thousands Each Year

It’s second nature. You step onto the escalator or elevator and ride it to your destination without incident. But accidents can and do happen – often with serious consequences. In America, thousands of people are hurt in these accidents annually. If you’ve been injured in an elevator accident or an escalator accident, the Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC know you need a compassionate, results-driven attorney on your side.

Chances are Greater That You Will be Injured in an Escalator Accident Than an Elevator Accident

As of 2011, more than 30,000 escalators carried passengers from floor to floor in buildings throughout the United States. Although that number paled in comparison to the number of elevators, studies showed escalator riders were at greater risk of being injured. Escalator injuries typically happen when:

• A passenger falls on the escalator
• Clothing or limbs are caught between moving parts

Children, teens and the elderly were most likely to be injured as a result of escalator injuries. One study found that more than 20,000 children age 19 and younger ended up in the hospital as a result of escalator accidents between 1990 and 2002. Another one conducted a couple of years later, found that escalator accidents injured 40,000 “older” men and women between 1991 and 2005. Only a fraction of those people sought treatment in emergency rooms.

Some Facts You Should Know About Elevator Accidents and Injuries

Given the sheer number of elevators in the United States – and the number of people who ride them – elevator accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities are relatively rare.  Even so, more than 10,000 people are injured and less than 30 people are killed in elevator accidents each year. When elevator accidents do happen, equipment malfunctions or defects are sometimes to blame. Here are some examples:

• Bad wiring
• Defective doors
• Faulty pulley systems

Being a passenger in an elevator that is stuck between floors or otherwise disabled can be frightening. But if you know what to do, you can remain calm and reassure other passengers. You should:

• Stay inside the elevator
• Use the emergency call button to summon help
• Wait for help to arrive

You can also reduce your risk of injury by following some simple rules when you are boarding, riding and disembarking from an elevator. These include:

• Being aware of health conditions that could contribute to accidents
• Holding railings and standing next to the elevator wall while the elevator is in motion
• Keeping away from closing doors
• Waiting for the next car to arrive when one is full
• Watching your step as you leave the elevator

Contact Our Qualified Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers Now if You Have Suffered an Elevator or Escalator Injury

At McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC our Philadelphia premises liability lawyers are well-versed in all types of personal injury law. If you have been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, contact our team to arrange a free consultation today. We can be reached at 215-569-8488 or 302-888-1221. You can also contact us online.  We represent clients throughout Pennsylvania including Montgomery County, Delaware County and Chester County as well as in the states of Delaware and New Jersey.