Escalator Safety

As a child you may have been scolded for nearly stepping on an escalator with untied shoelaces. Like many things our parents told us, untied shoelaces really are a serious danger on escalators: many people have been seriously injured or killed after shoelaces and other clothing became trapped in an escalator. This risk is so well-known, in fact, that modern escalator designs should take this risk into consideration to reduce the chance of an accident.

Falling is another potential risk of using an escalator. The handrails are designed to prevent people from losing their balance and falling over, but many are nonetheless open to one or both sides. If someone falls backward, other pedestrians may be injured as well. When two escalators pass side by side, there is often a gap between the two. Some escalator designs shield this space, but it is still possible for someone to fall through. A child falling out of a parent's arms is at particular risk.

Escalators have also been known to collapse. In 1982, a collapsed escalator in Moscow killed eight people and seriously injured thirty others. Collapse of a normal staircase is very dangerous: in addition to the fall, the broken pieces of the staircase also pose a threat. An escalator adds steel and electricity to this threat, potentially causing lacerations, crushing, electrocution, and fire. Escalator designs should take pedestrian traffic into account to avoid such unfortunate accidents.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured by an escalator, and think a manufacturing fault, lack of maintenance, or a design flaw may be responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to damages. You should not have to suffer because of someone else's negligence. The compassionate Milwaukee personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier can help you win compensation for your medical bills and undue pain and suffering. To discuss your case with a lawyer, contact 800-242-2874 today