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Escalator safety and premises liability

On Behalf of | Dec 5, 2018 | Premises Liability |

Just like stairs and elevators, escalators can cause accidents. The National Elevator Industry, Inc. has released tips for people riding escalators in West Virginia and across the country to help promote passenger safety. Where an escalator defect or other issue leads to an injury, the injured party might have claims for damages against the property owner.

As a person is getting on an escalator, he or she should step on with more care than normal walking requires. It’s important to pay attention to the movement of the escalator before stepping on and to take firm grip of the escalator handle for support. People should not step onto an escalator going the opposite direction and or attempt to carry heavy items like electric scooters, hand carts, strollers, wheelchairs or luggage carts onto the moving stairs with them. If a person is traveling with children, it’s a good idea to hold onto the child with one hand and hold the handrail with the other.

Once the person is on the escalator, it’s important to give enough clearance at the sides, to face forward toward the movement of the escalator and to keep loose clothing and other items clear of the sides and ends. Getting off of the moving staircase requires caution just as getting on, and escalator riders should step promptly off at the right time and immediately move away from the exit area to allow others room to step off.

People who are injured in escalator accidents might have claims for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses or other damages. An attorney with experience in personal injury law might be able to build a case for premises liability and file suit against the owner of the property or other parties. An attorney may work to negotiate a settlement or argue on the client’s behalf in civil court.