Escalator and elevator injuries at shopping malls
Escalators and elevators move thousands of shoppers every day. When they malfunction or are poorly maintained, injuries can be serious, especially for children and older adults.
Common causes of escalator injuries
- Sudden stops or speed changes that throw riders off balance
- Clothing, shoelaces, or fingers caught at the comb plate or side panels
- Broken, missing, or uneven steps
- Handrails moving at a different speed than the steps
- Missing emergency stop access, signage, or barriers
Elevator incidents
Elevator injuries can involve doors closing on passengers, misleveling (the car stopping above or below the floor and creating a trip hazard), or sudden drops.
Who may be responsible
Potentially responsible parties may include the mall owner or operator, the escalator or elevator maintenance company, and the equipment manufacturer if a defect was involved. In California, escalators and elevators are subject to state inspection and permit requirements; inspection and maintenance records can be important evidence.
What to do
- Get medical care and report the incident to mall security.
- Photograph the escalator or elevator, including any ID number on the unit, and the area where you were hurt.
- Get witness contact information.
- Ask in writing that video and maintenance records be preserved.
Have questions about your situation? An attorney can review the facts with you for free and with no obligation.
General information only, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and no particular outcome is guaranteed.
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- Child injured at a mall play area, kiddie ride, or carousel in California
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