Injured in an Escalator Accident?
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Hold Negligent Property Owners and Maintenance Companies Accountable

Escalators are a common sight in shopping malls, airports, office buildings, and public transit stations across California. While they are designed for convenience, escalators can quickly become hazardous when they are not properly maintained or repaired. Many of these accidents result in serious injuries, particularly for children and older adults.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an escalator accident in Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, Benicia, or anywhere in the Bay Area, you may have the right to pursue compensation. At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, our experienced California escalator accident lawyers understand the complexities of escalator injury cases and know how to hold negligent companies accountable.

Common Causes of Escalator Accidents

Most escalator accidents are preventable and occur due to poor maintenance and negligent inspections. Unlike elevators, which typically have stricter safety regulations and require more frequent inspections, escalators often do not receive the same level of attention.

1. Sudden Stops and Mechanical Malfunctions

Escalators must be properly maintained and lubricated to ensure smooth operation. Failure to do so can cause:

• Abrupt stops that throw passengers off balance, leading to falls.
• Step misalignment that creates tripping hazards.
• Handrail malfunctions, making it impossible for passengers to steady themselves.

2. Entrapments

Entrapment occurs when a person’s foot, clothing, or object gets caught in the escalator’s moving parts. This can result in catastrophic injuries, including severe lacerations, amputations, and crushed limbs.

Common types of entrapment include:

• Step-to-step entrapment: A foot or hand gets caught between moving steps.
• Comb plate entrapment: A shoe, cane tip, or loose clothing gets pulled into the comb plate where the steps meet the platform.
• Side-of-step entrapment: The side gap widens beyond safety tolerances, allowing feet, shoelaces, or clothing to get caught.

Certain shoes, such as soft rubber footwear like Crocs, are especially vulnerable to getting pulled into an escalator’s mechanisms. When maintenance is neglected, gaps widen beyond safe limits, increasing the risk of these dangerous entrapments.

3. Inadequate Safety Inspections and Poor Maintenance

Escalators require regular inspections and maintenance to remain safe. However, many property owners and maintenance companies fail to:

• Keep up with required maintenance schedules.
• Document their maintenance activities.
• Fix known hazards reported by inspectors.

These failures can lead to accidents that should have been prevented, leaving victims with devastating injuries.

Who Is Liable for an Escalator Injury?

In California, liability in an escalator accident typically falls on one or more of the following parties:

1. Property Owners and Operators

Businesses, landlords, and public agencies that own and operate escalators have a legal duty to ensure they are safe for use. If they fail to inspect, repair, or properly maintain an escalator, they can be held responsible for injuries that occur.

2. Escalator Maintenance and Repair Companies

Escalators require regular maintenance from specialized service companies. If a maintenance provider fails to perform necessary repairs, skips routine inspections or does not document their work, they can be held liable for negligence.

3. Manufacturers of Defective Escalator Parts

If a defective escalator component (such as faulty brakes, handrails, or step mechanisms) contributed to an accident, the manufacturer may be responsible under product liability laws.

Determining liability often requires a thorough investigation, including reviewing inspection records, maintenance logs, and surveillance footage. An experienced California escalator accident lawyer can gather the necessary evidence to prove fault.

Common Injuries in Escalator Accidents

Escalator accidents can lead to serious and even life-threatening injuries, including:

• Fractures and broken bones (especially in the wrists, arms, and legs from falls).
• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from impact with hard surfaces.
• Lacerations and degloving injuries from entrapments.
• Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or permanent mobility issues.
• Amputations due to severe entrapment injuries.

These injuries often require long-term medical care, including surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy. Victims may also suffer from emotional trauma, particularly in cases involving young children who sustain disfiguring injuries.

What to Do After an Escalator Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured on an escalator, taking the right steps can help protect your legal rights:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor. Internal injuries and head trauma can worsen over time.
• Document the Scene – Take photos of the escalator, any visible defects, warning signs (or lack thereof), and your injuries.
• Get Witness Information – If others saw the accident, their statements could help strengthen your claim.
• Request an Incident Report – If the accident happened in a public place like a mall or airport, report it to management and request a copy of the report.
• Avoid Giving Statements to Insurance Companies – Insurance adjusters may try to downplay your injuries or shift blame onto you.
• Consult an Escalator Injury Lawyer – An experienced attorney can investigate the accident, determine liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Seeking Compensation for an Escalator Injury

Victims of escalator accidents may be entitled to financial compensation, including:

• Medical expenses (emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy).
• Lost wages if you are unable to work due to your injury.
• Pain and suffering for physical and emotional distress.
• Rehabilitation costs for long-term injuries.
• Wrongful death damages if a loved one was fatally injured.

Escalator accident claims can be complex, requiring expert testimony from engineers, medical professionals, and safety inspectors. At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, we work with leading experts to build strong cases for our clients.

Escalator Injury Settlements

Our firm secured a significant settlement for an escalator injury victim who suffered severe injuries due to a malfunctioning escalator in a Bay Area shopping center. The accident was caused by negligent maintenance and a failure to correct known safety violations.

This case shows the importance of holding negligent property owners and maintenance companies accountable for preventable injuries. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an escalator accident, you deserve justice—and we can help you get it.

Contact a California Escalator Injury Lawyer Today

Escalator accidents can result in life-changing injuries, but you don’t have to face this battle alone. At Clancy & Diaz, LLP, we fight for injury victims in Walnut Creek, Antioch, Pittsburg, Benicia, and throughout the Bay Area.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

“By far the best attorney! Helped me tremendously with my personal injury matter. Very attentive and good at what he does.” - D.A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐