Illinois escalator injury lawyers are not surprised by escalator accident statistics.  According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), there were approximately 11,000 injuries reported because of escalator accidents in 2007.  Unfortunately, a large number of these cases involve children. The most common causes of escalator accidents were falls and entrapment of the hands, shoes, or articles of clothing.  People who are hurt in escalator accidents may have the right to recover damages for their injuries.

Who is Legally Responsible for Escalator Accidents?

Liability depends on the cause of the accident.  Generally, the manufacturer, property owner, or another escalator rider could be liable.

A manufacturer is typically liable for damages if the escalator was defective.  The plaintiff will argue, under a products liability theory of law, that:

  • the escalator’s design was dangerous, that there was a problem in the manufacturing process, or that the escalator manufacturer failed to warn people of known dangers;
  • the design defect, manufacturing defect, or failure to warn created a dangerous condition; and
  • the victim suffered a physical injury as a result of the escalator’s dangerous condition.

A property owner or operator may also be liable for damages.  Generally, a plaintiff may bring either a premises liability or negligence lawsuit against the property owner or operator alleging that:

  • the property owner knew, or should have known, about a dangerous condition;
  • the dangerous condition presented an unreasonable risk of harm; and
  • the victim was hurt because of the dangerous condition.

A plaintiff may present evidence that the property owner failed to follow city ordinances or obtain proper maintenance on the escalator.

Another escalator rider may also be liable for damages if the escalator rider’s negligence caused the victim’s injuries.  An escalator rider may be negligent if he failed to exercise the care that a reasonable person would on an escalator and if a victim suffers damages as a result of his or her actions.  For example, if a person pushes another person, or prevents a person from being able to get off an escalator, he or she may be liable for damages.

The injuries caused by escalators can be significant – especially for children.  Dolan Law Offices is representing a 7 year old boy in a lawsuit against the City of Chicago for injuries sustained on an escalator at Midway Airport.  The boy suffered catastrophic injuries to his foot when his shoe became trapped in the machine.  The injuries may have been avoided if the machine had been equipped with proper safety features.

Contact the Chicago Escalator Accident Lawyer Martin Dolan if You’ve Been Hurt

If you or a loved one have been hurt in an Illinois escalator accident, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages you incurred as a result of your injuries.  Your financial recovery can be important to your physical and emotional recovery — and to your future.  Please contact the Illinois escalator accident lawyers of Dolan Law Offices today online or at 312-676-7600 for a free consultation.

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The personal injury lawyers at Dolan Law Offices represent escalator accident victims throughout Illinois and the greater Chicagoland area, including Aurora, Chicago Heights, Bloomingdale, Wooddale, Joliet,  Plainfield, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Rolling Meadows, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Arlington Heights,  Hanover Park, Streamwood, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Inverness, Elgin, Bartlett, Itasca, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County.