There are few things worse than being involved in a serious accident. At times, these can occur on escalators because of unsafe conditions. Please continue reading and reach out to an experienced Manhattan slip and fall lawyer to learn more about escalator accidents and how we can help if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What are the most common causes of escalator accidents?

Escalator accidents can occur for a wide variety of reasons, though unfortunately, they are most commonly caused by negligence–meaning they could have been avoided. Some of the most common causes of escalator accidents are as follows:

• Between-step entrapments
• Gaps and spaces
• Missing steps
• Clothing/limbs getting snagged by machinery
• Inadequate escalator lighting
• Missing comb plates
• Missing foot brushes
• Loose screws
• Escalators reversing direction, resulting in a pileup
• Finger entrapments 
• Broken emergency shut-off buttons
• Faulty handrails
• Overcrowded escalators
• Electrical or mechanical malfunctions
• Escalator design flaws

Who is responsible for escalator accidents?

When someone is injured in an accident, it is critical that they hire an experienced New York City personal injury attorney who can assess the accident and determine the party responsible. For example, in many cases, escalator accidents are caused because of defective escalator parts (due to negligence on the part of the escalator designer/manufacturer). In this case, you will most likely file a product liability claim. That being said, if we can prove that the property owner either knew or should have known about the unsafe escalator conditions, failed to fix it timely, and you were injured and incurred damages as a result, we will most likely file a premises liability claim.

What is the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York?

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in NYS is generally three years. This means that you are granted three years from the date of your accident to take legal action against the party responsible for your injuries. That being said, the sooner you file your claim, the better off you will be. Our legal team is here to assist you today.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CITY FIRM

Our entire legal team is dedicated to providing the advice you need and the personalized attention you deserve. If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, call (212) 421-0300 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a New York City personal injury lawyer. You may be entitled to financial compensation, which can help you on your road to recovery.