Santa Ana Elevator and Escalator Accident Attorneys
Legal Help After Your Santa Ana Elevator or Escalator Accident Injuries
You can never predict when an elevator or escalator accident will happen. According to data gathered by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, incidents that happen in elevators or on escalators have caused serious injuries to approximately 17,000 people per year. The same government agencies that highlighted serious injuries have also found that around 30 people a year have lost their lives due to an elevator accident.
Elevators and escalators are supposed to make life easier to get to where you need to be – whether you’re an employee who needs to get to your office space, a shopper spending a casual day at the mall, or a person dealing with a disability that affects your mobility. Property owners have the responsibility to keep premises safe for visitors, and you shouldn’t have to worry about whether you or a loved one will be seriously injured or killed. If you have been harmed in an elevator or escalator accident, our Santa Ana premises liability attorneys want to learn more about your case so that we can see how we can help you. Call HN Injury Lawyers for a free consultation at (657) 333-5726.
Possible Causes of Your Elevator or Escalator Accident
Both elevators and escalators require mechanical upkeep to continue to safely serve the public. And regardless of what causes it, an escalator or elevator accident can be serious enough to require medical treatment.
You could experience the following dangerous situations on an elevator:
- An elevator car not being even with the floor that it arrives at
- Untreated electrical problems that impact how an elevator operates
- Doors that don’t open correctly, possibly endangering you during an emergency
- A faulty pulley system that can cause unexpected drops
You can experience the following issues on an escalator:
- Electrical issues that can lead to the malfunction of an escalator
- Escalator steps that are unrepaired or not replaced
- Steps that may be uneven or improperly measured
- Handrails that may not be properly installed or measured
- Screws that are not secured in their proper place
- Hazards posed by missing teeth and gaps at the top and bottom that could lead to riders getting caught
Most Common Injuries You Can Experience
Injuries from escalator and elevator accidents can affect both members of the public and those responsible for maintaining these forms of transportation within a building. The accidents that can occur may include:
- Slips and falls
- Harm to soft tissue
- Severe head trauma, including brain bleeding
- Damage to the neck
- Fractures and broken bones
- Varying degrees of lacerations and cuts
- Dislocated joints
- Getting caught in parts that are moving
- Injuries to the lower parts of the body; including: hip, thighs, knees, legs, ankles, foot, toes
- Death
Obligations of Property Owners
Under premises liability law in the state of California, property owners are required to maintain their properties so that they are in safe condition for people who have the legal right to be there. For areas of a property that may contain a hazard that the owner should be reasonably aware of, there should be warnings that are communicated to those who are on the property, so that serious injuries or death can be avoided. When the owner of a premises fails in their duty of care to repair hazards or does not issue warnings for known dangers, injured parties can pursue various forms of compensation for resulting injuries.
An owner’s obligation to maintain their property for safety reasons also includes having the required inspections conducted for such features as elevators and escalators. According to the California regulations, inspections begin before they go into operation for use by the public. Following the initial inspection, these units of transportation within a building should be inspected at least once per year to ensure continued compliance. In addition, there is also a permit process that must be followed. These permits are issued by the California Department of Industrial Relations.
When Negligence Becomes a Factor
An elevator or escalator accident caused by negligence will hinge on whether or not the owner of the property took reasonable steps to ensure that the accident would not take place. Part of this may involve examining the record of inspections as to whether they were appropriately and regularly conducted. It may also involve revisiting whether the relevant permits were issued so that it could be determined that the elevator or escalator was operating legally.
Negligence and the compensation related to the injuries sustained as a result may also extend to other parties. They may include those in charge of maintaining and resolving mechanical issues related to the elevator. This can play out in terms of whether raised safety issues were appropriately resolved by those working on the elevator or escalator, according to the correct procedures. Another party that may be named in a personal injury claim can also be those who manufactured the parts used to assemble the elevator. If defective components were used in building the elevator and that led to serious injuries or the death of a loved one, then the companies behind those faulty parts may be held liable under California law.
Call a Santa Ana Premises Liability Attorney Today
After an elevator or escalator accident in Santa Ana, it is not wise to pursue compensation you may be entitled to all by yourself. The first step you need to take is to have your injuries examined by medical professionals who can begin your treatment immediately. Prioritize your health and obtain an official diagnosis for your injuries.
Next, contact our Santa Ana personal injury attorneys so that we can consider your case in more detail. Our team can determine what you’ll need to get the compensation you deserve. This includes the evidence you have and perhaps additional evidence we may be able to obtain on your behalf to help you. We can also track down all relevant parties who may be legally obligated to pay you compensation. This compensation can entail current and future medical expenses, missed time due to work, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and more. If we take your case, you only pay us if we win on your behalf. Call HN Injury Lawyers today for a free, no time limit consultation at (657) 333-5726.
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