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Escalator Malfunction

New York Escalator Accident Lawyer

Escalators are everywhere in New York — in office buildings, MTA subway stations, retail stores, movie theatres, airports, supermarkets, and countless other public places. Although escalators can provide a convenient way to move between floors, they can also present many hazards. Despite how many precautions you may take when riding an escalator, accidents can occur due to mechanical failures, defective machinery, poor maintenance, and other dangerous conditions.

Escalator accidents can be serious and result in substantial injuries, or even fatality. Providing unwavering counsel and skillful representation, the personal injury lawyers at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. are committed to helping escalator accident victims secure the maximum amount of compensation for their damages.

Causes of Escalator Accidents

Accidents involving escalators can arise due to a wide range of issues related to design defects and construction or installation of the unit. However, they also frequently occur due to inadequate maintenance and use. Some common causes of escalator accidents can include:

  • Broken handrails
  • Electrical malfunctions
  • Unexpected acceleration
  • Abrupt stops or jerking
  • Sudden change in direction
  • Missing teeth
  • Gaps in between steps
  • Debris

Liability in an escalator accident can be complex — and a lawsuit may be commenced under a theory of premises liability or product liability. Not only might a property owner or a municipality be held accountable for injuries sustained by another due to a dangerous condition they failed to remedy, but the escalator manufacturer may be to blame if the accident was caused by defective machinery or an equipment malfunction.

Additionally, you must be able to establish that the property owner, elevator manufacturer, or another responsible party knew, or should have known, about the hazard that caused your injuries. If they failed to remedy the condition within a reasonable amount of time — or warn about it — they may be held liable for negligence.

The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has 30 years of experience litigating escalator accidents on behalf of those who have suffered serious injuries due to negligence. We will carefully investigate your claim to the fullest extent and work diligently to ensure the responsible party is held accountable.

Escalator Accident Injuries

Depending on the facts and circumstances of your escalator accident, the resulting injuries can be severe. A defective step or sudden reverse movement can cause you to fall down dozens of steps and sustain injuries such as chipped teeth, lacerations, fractures, sprains, strains, nerve damage, paralysis, disfigurement, and traumatic brain injury. In severe cases where clothing or a limb becomes entrapped in the machinery, an escalator accident victim can suffer amputation or fatality.

After an escalator accident, it’s essential to seek medical assistance immediately. Even if your injuries are minor or you don’t think you were hurt, it’s best to be examined by a doctor to make sure you haven’t sustained internal bleeding or other injuries that may not be readily apparent.

In many escalator accident cases, a doctor may order X-rays, MRIs, CAT scans, EMG-NCVs, and any other tests they might think may be necessary to render a diagnosis. The doctor may recommend pain medication, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and any other course of treatment to help your injuries heal — surgery may also be necessary in some cases.

The personal injury lawyers at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. know what a scary and overwhelming time the aftermath of an escalator accident can be. When you work with our firm, you can be confident in knowing that you have an attorney on your side who will fight for the full monetary recovery you’re eligible to receive for your injuries.

Reliable Representation On Your Side Pursuing the Monetary Recovery You’re Entitled

If you sustained injuries in an escalator accident that occurred due to another’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover for your economic and non-economic damages. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover your monetary losses in connection with the accident, including unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs related to your medical treatment. You might also be awarded compensation for your pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment of life you suffered due to your injuries.

At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., we understand the impact your escalator accident has had on you, your family, and your livelihood. Our attorneys provide unyielding advocacy to make sure you obtain the compensation you deserve for the physical, financial, and emotional toll your escalator accident has taken on your life.

Contact a Proficient New York Escalator Accident Lawyer

Escalator accidents can happen to anyone, at any time. If you were hurt or lost a loved one due to a malfunctioning escalator, it’s crucial to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Critically, there are strict statutes of limitation that apply to escalator accidents — and even shorter ones when a municipality should be a party to the action. For over three decades, The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been assisting clients who have been injured in escalator accidents, and obtaining exceptional results.

The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Contact us for a consultation.