Elevator and Escalator Accidents In St. Louis

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St. Louis residents and visitors rely on elevators and escalators throughout the city’s malls, shopping centers, apartment buildings, businesses, and hotels. Elevators and escalators are not only convenient and time-saving, especially in high-rise buildings where taking the stairs to upper floors is impractical, but they are also essential for individuals with disabilities and the elderly.

Although we rarely give stepping onto an elevator or escalator a second thought, accidents on these vertical transportation devices are not as uncommon as you might think. A St. Louis injury attorney can protect your rights after an accident involving an elevator or escalator.

elevator and escalator injuries

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 41 elevator-associated deaths between 2018 and 2021 alone, and an astonishing 117,100 recalls. Studies also reveal that around 10,000 escalator injuries requiring emergency room treatment are reported each year in the United States.

Understanding the Common Causes of Elevator Accidents

Elevator accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere sometimes occur as workplace injuries to repair personnel and maintenance workers. In other cases, elevator injuries occur to passengers during normal usage in the course of an otherwise typical day. Common causes of elevator accidents include the following:

Elevator door defects are the most common cause of elevator accidents, resulting in entrapment or accidents caused by operating with an open door.

What Types of Injuries Occur In Elevator Accidents?

Elevator injuries range from mild, inconvenient injuries to severe injuries that cause disability, impairment, or death. Common types of injuries in elevator accident claims include the following:

Sadly, children are the second-most common demographic for elevator accident injuries after maintenance and repair workers.

What Are the Common Causes of Escalator Accidents In St. Louis?

Escalators are moving staircases, typically in pairs, with one taking riders up to the next floor level and another for descending to the lower level. Escalators are convenient and easy to use, but the open-air design and continual mechanical function can also cause serious injuries. The most common causes of escalator accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere include the following:

Falls and entrapments are the most common causes of escalator injuries in St. Louis and elsewhere, often causing serious injuries and sometimes fatalities.

What Types of Injuries Occur In St. Louis Escalator Accidents?

Insufficient maintenance and mechanical or electrical problems are the most common causes of escalator accidents. Although children and the elderly are at the highest risk of escalator accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere, accidents and injuries occur to riders of all ages. The most common types of escalator accident injuries include:

A significant study indicates that more than 50% of escalator accidents occur in public transportation facilities such as airports and train stations, and 33% occur in shopping malls.

Who Is Liable for Elevator and Escalator Accident Damages In St. Louis?

Elevator and escalator accidents often result from insufficient maintenance, defective parts, or faulty repairs. They can result in painful injuries and expensive medical bills. Even worse, some injuries caused by mechanical malfunctions and failures on these devices cause permanent disability, scarring, or even death. An injury claim for damages after an elevator or escalator accident is a type of premises liability claim. Recovering compensation for injury losses requires first identifying the liable party and proving their liability. In most cases, a negligent property owner is liable for a premises liability case, including after a St. Louis elevator or escalator accident. If the accident occurs in a city, state, or federal facility, the government entity is liable for damages; however, different filing requirements and timelines may apply when filing a claim against a government entity. To prove liability in a premises accident claim, an injury victim must demonstrate the following:

Compensation in elevator and escalator accident claims typically comes from the property owner’s liability insurance.

What Compensation Can I Recover In an Elevator or Escalator Accident Claim In St. Louis?

Injuries are costly as well as painful, with medical expenses due at the same time that the injury victim may be missing work days or unable to return to work at all. When a property owner fails to maintain or promptly repair an escalator or elevator, it can result in severe harm to those using the devices, even when they are using them correctly and responsibly. A successful claim recovers compensation for damages such as the following:

Although a successful claim cannot erase the injury, it provides relief from related financial hardship and gives an injury victim a sense of justice for their preventable injury.

How Can an Elevator and Escalator Accident Attorney In St. Louis Help Me?

Premises liability insurance companies are in the business of making profits. Despite their compassionate tones, they are not truly on your side and are more than happy to prioritize company profits over your interests. A successful claim requires compelling evidence and a carefully calculated list of your economic and non-economic damages. Call the escalator and elevator accident attorneys in St. Louis at Miller & Hine today for experienced representation in your premises liability injury case.