North County San Diego Injury Lawyers
While most of us do not think about the risks of getting hurt when we step into an elevator or onto an escalator in Escondido, it is important to know that escalators and elevators can actually cause serious and fatal injuries in many different circumstances. Elevator and escalator accidents can be caused by many different factors, and people can sustain various types of injuries. Depending upon the cause of the elevator or escalator accident, and whether or not the injured person was working at the time of the elevator or escalator accident, multiple parties may be liable for injuries and various routes to compensation may exist. What do you ultimately need to know about these types of accidents and injuries? The following are some of the top things to know about escalator and elevator injuries in Escondido.
Elevator and Escalator Accidents Have Many Different Causes
There are many different causes for elevator and escalator accidents and injuries, such as:
- Escalator track damage or defect;
- Loose escalator screws;
- Broken escalator steps;
- Escalator misalignment;
- Defective elevator pulley system;
- Defective or broken elevator doors;
- Elevator is improperly leveled with the floor;
- Electrical problems with elevators or escalators; and/or
- Negligent maintenance of elevators or escalators.
Many Different Types of Parties Can be Liable for Elevator and Escalator Injuries
Liability for an elevator or escalator accident will depend upon the facts of the case and the cause of the injury. In general, the following parties could be liable for an elevator or escalator accident and injury:
- Designer or manufacturer of a defective elevator or escalator part;
- Property owner or manager of the premises where the elevator or escalator exists;
- Mechanic responsible for performing maintenance on the elevator or escalator;
- Construction company responsible for installing the elevator or escalator; or
- Another passenger on an elevator or escalator.
You Will Need to File an Elevator or Escalator Injury Claim in a Timely Manner
California law requires most personal injury lawsuits to be filed within two years from the date of the injury, including most elevator and escalator accident injuries. However, if the injury occurred on government property, such as in a government building, you may need to file the claim much more quickly. A San Diego County personal injury lawyer can assess your case and discuss a timeline with you.
Escalator and Elevator Injuries are More Common Than You Might Expect
Ultimately, escalator and elevator accidents happen more often than you may think. Although you might not give a second thought to stepping onto an escalator or waiting for an elevator to reach your floor, both escalators and elevators can malfunction, and they can result in severe and deadly injuries. Indeed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elevators and escalators are responsible for approximately 30 deaths annually and approximately 17,000 nonfatal injuries every year. Between elevators and escalators, elevators are responsible for about 90% of all reported deaths and just over half of all reported nonfatal injuries.
Contact Our Escondido Personal Injury Attorneys
Were you injured in an escalator or elevator accident in Escondido or elsewhere in San Diego County? One of the experienced Escondido escalator and elevator accident lawyers at our firm can evaluate your case for you today and provide you with more information about filing a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the Walton Law Firm today for more information.
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