Escalators have been around since the late 1800s, and they’re not really considered very dangerous – but they probably should be.
Even though escalators are pretty ubiquitous in shopping malls, office buildings, airports and more, they’re actually a lot riskier to ride than most people realize. One of the few studies on the subject indicates that roughly 10,000 people end up in emergency rooms every year due to escalator accidents – many of them are seriously injured.
Common escalator dangers
Escalator-related injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe wounds, including brain injuries, amputations and more. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Trips and falls: Uneven steps, sudden stops and user missteps can lead to slips, trips and falls, causing injuries such as sprains, broken bones and head trauma. Often, the injuries are compounded when the escalator fails to stop moving after the victim tumbles.
- Clothing and body part entrapment: Loose clothing, untied shoelaces or dangling accessories can get caught in the moving parts of escalators, resulting in serious injuries or even amputations. Small children are particularly vulnerable to getting fingers and hands caught between the moving steps and the sidewalls, which can lead to devastating crush injuries and amputations.
- Mechanical malfunction: Sudden stops, reversals, collapses and other mechanical malfunctions can lead to severe traumatic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord damage and death.
In short, escalators aren’t nearly as benign as most people think. In many cases, property owners get lax about regular maintenance and repairs. In other cases, escalators themselves lack appropriate safety features, such as guards and emergency stop buttons that could mitigate potential injuries. That could make the property owner liable in the event of someone’s injuries.
If you have suffered an injury in an escalator accident, you may be facing a long recovery. Seeking experienced legal guidance can help you obtain the compensation you need to cover your losses.