Escalators and elevators are mechanical systems that, when they malfunction, can cause serious injuries. Property owners and maintenance companies share responsibility for keeping these systems safe for users.
Escalator Accident Types
Sudden stops or reversals throw passengers off balance, causing falls. Mechanical failures or safety sensor malfunctions can trigger unexpected stops.
Entrapment injuries occur when clothing, shoes, or body parts become caught in escalator mechanisms—particularly at step edges, side panels, and comb plates.
Missing or broken parts including missing comb teeth, broken handrails, and damaged steps create hazards that should be identified through inspection.
Speed variations where escalators run too fast or at inconsistent speeds disrupt passenger balance.
Wet or slippery steps from water intrusion or cleaning create slip hazards on the moving surface.
Elevator Accident Types
Door malfunctions cause injuries when doors close on passengers or fail to open properly. Door sensors should prevent closure on people.
Leveling failures where elevators stop above or below floor level create trip hazards at the threshold.
Free falls and sudden stops cause injuries from impact with the floor, walls, or ceiling during uncontrolled movement.
Entrapment in stalled elevators can cause panic, physical injury from attempted escape, and health emergencies for vulnerable passengers.
Liability for Mechanical Transportation
Multiple parties may bear responsibility for escalator and elevator accidents:
Property owners have duties to maintain equipment safely and ensure regular inspections and maintenance.
Maintenance companies contracted to service equipment may be liable for negligent maintenance, missed inspections, or failed repairs.
Manufacturers may face product liability claims for design defects, manufacturing errors, or inadequate warnings.
Inspection and Maintenance Requirements
Escalators and elevators must be inspected regularly—typically annually—by licensed inspectors. Jurisdictions require inspection certificates to be displayed. Failure to maintain current inspections violates code and establishes negligence.
Maintenance logs document servicing history. Patterns of problems or deferred repairs support negligence claims.
Building Code Standards
The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) establishes safety codes for elevators and escalators. Violations of ASME codes or local building codes support premises liability claims.
Codes specify requirements for safety devices, maintenance intervals, and emergency features.
Res Ipsa Loquitur
The doctrine of res ipsa loquitur ("the thing speaks for itself") may help prove negligence in mechanical transportation cases. When properly maintained elevators and escalators don't malfunction, the malfunction itself suggests negligent maintenance.
This doctrine can shift the burden to defendants to explain what happened.
Evidence in Mechanical Transportation Cases
Important evidence includes inspection and maintenance records, incident reports documenting prior malfunctions, surveillance footage of the accident, expert analysis of what caused the malfunction, and testimony from other passengers who experienced problems.
Request inspection certificates and maintenance logs through discovery. These documents reveal the maintenance history and whether required servicing was performed.
What to Do After an Escalator or Elevator Accident
Report the incident to property management immediately. Note the specific equipment (location, identifying numbers). Document your injuries and seek medical attention. Get contact information from witnesses. Photograph any visible problems.
The equipment will likely be inspected after your incident—request copies of any post-accident inspection reports.
Pursuing Your Claim
Escalator and elevator cases require technical investigation of what caused the malfunction. Expert witnesses may be needed to analyze mechanical systems. An experienced premises liability attorney can identify responsible parties, obtain maintenance records, and pursue claims against property owners and maintenance companies.