People use escalators for convenience every day without the thought of being involved in an accident in doing so. However, these large pieces of machinery can be very dangerous in the event that they are not created or maintained properly. In these cases, escalators can cause dangerous accidents that lead to injuries such as broken bones, crushed limbs, serious brain injuries, and more. If you have been injured in an escalator accident, it is important to contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney for help with your case.
Common Types of Accidents
Escalators that are not taken care of can malfunction and put many people in danger. Some common types of accidents that can occur in these situations can include:
- Between-step entrapments
- Gaps and spaces
- Inadequate lighting
- Loose or missing screws
- Improperly working emergency buttons
- Faulty handrails
- Missing steps
- Electrical or mechanical malfunctions
- Design flaws
- Finger entrapments
What Causes Escalator Accidents?
Due to the fact that escalators are complex pieces of machinery, it is important that they are produced and maintained with great care. This puts a great deal of liability in the hands of the property owners where they are installed and the manufacturers that create them. If a manufacturer is negligent during production, mistakes can be made that can cause them to malfunction. In addition to this, if a property owner does not ensure the machine’s routine inspections and maintenance, its parts can stop working and cause an accident.
How Do I Recover Compensation?
Injured parties often want to pursue legal action in order to receive compensation for their suffering. If they are successful in proving negligence in their case, compensation may be awarded as coverage for the following damages:
- Concussions
- Cuts and bruises
- Torn ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Joint injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones
What is the Statute of Limitations?
When an injured party wishes to pursue compensation for their suffering, it is important to not wait long to do so. This is because there is a statute of limitations in place. A statute of limitations is the deadline an injured party must meet when filing a claim against the negligent party. In the state of New Jersey, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury.
Contact our Firm
If you have been injured as a result of a personal injury accident and wish to speak with an attorney, contact the Law Office of Christopher T. Howell, Esq. today.
