It’s hard to escape using elevators and escalators in your everyday life. Especially if you live or work in a downtown area, you are probably using one or both of these machines on a daily basis. With all that time being spent on one or the other, there may be a concern about the possibility of being injured during one of your rides. If you do find yourself in a position of sustaining an injury while using one, here is what you need to know about elevator and escalator accident injury law.
Elevator and Escalator Accident Injury Law
Who is responsible?
Elevator and escalators are usually the responsibility of the property owner or the building owner. However, this may not always be the case. Some property owners rely on an elevator company or other maintenance company to service the machines on site. If there is an accident involving an elevator or escalator, it is important to determine who is actually responsible for the maintenance of the equipment. An experienced accident attorney will investigate the parties responsible for maintaining a dangerous device, and if necessary conduct detailed discovery regarding the at-fault party during litigation.
How do you prove it?
If you are going to pursue a personal injury claim against a building owner or elevator company, you will need to prove negligence. To do that, you will need to show that the owner or maintenance company failed to act reasonably by not addressing a dangerous condition that they either knew about or should have known about prior to your accident. While not all elevator or escalator accidents are caused by negligence, an owner who failed to properly maintain the device or did not fix known issue may be held liable.
Elevators and escalators sometimes malfunction without warning and despite reasonable care being taken. Under such circumstances, a diligent owner or operator may be free from responsibility for an accident or injury. However, those questions are best left to an experienced attorney who can evaluate your claim and investigate the responsible parties as needed.
Contacting Panter, Panter, and Sampedro for Accident Injury Claims
When you contact us at Panter, Panter, and Sampedro, we will look into your claim and work to determine who was at fault and hold them accountable.
Contact us for your complimentary one-time consultation on your claim. We can be reached at 305-662-6178.
