Typically, individuals who step into and onto elevators and escalators do not think they will be injured on the quick transportation to their destination. However, catastrophic and life-altering injuries may result due to the negligence of a property owner or manufacturer. If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, contact an experienced Washington, D.C. Elevator & Escalator Accident Lawyer who can help you prove your injuries were directly caused by negligence. Our firm is committed to helping our clients recover damages for their losses.
What are some common causes of elevator and escalator accidents in D.C.?
There are several ways individuals may be injured in an elevator or escalator accident. However, the leading causes are a lack of maintenance and negligence. Victims often suffer significant injuries that negatively impact their life. Depending on the circumstances, elevator and escalator accidents may happen because of:
Elevators
- Mis-leveling
- Faulty wiring
- High speeds
- Abrupt stops
- Defective sliding doors
- Pulley system malfunction
- Falls into elevator shafts
- Lack of maintenance and repairs
Escalators
- Missing or broken steps
- Missing parts and side panels
- Broken or loose handrails
- Sudden stops
- Defective “teeth” in the grates
- Lack of inspection, repairs, and maintenance
- Improper installation of parts
Who could be held liable for these types of accidents?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, property owners and manufacturers of the elevator or escalator may be held liable for damages. However, for premises liability, injured individuals must fulfill the burden of proof. Victims must prove that a property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the hazard and failed to remedy the condition resulting in injury. However, in some cases, property owners are not liable as this type of machinery may have defective parts. Oftentimes, manufacturers are responsible for damages as they produced the moving device that caused the injury. If the primary cause of the accident was a manufacturing issue, the circumstances of the case change to product liability.
In D.C., under the statute of limitations, victims have three years to file a claim against a negligent party. The same standards apply if the case changes to product liability. If a victim fails to file a claim against a negligent party within this period, they will be barred from ever doing so in the future. Victims need to meet this deadline to ensure they have an opportunity to recover economic and non-economic damages for their losses.
If you or someone you care about has been injured due to another person’s negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our dedicated and knowledgeable team members. We are on your side. Our firm is ready to fight on your behalf today.
