Los Angeles Escalator Injury Lawyer
Taking an escalator at an airport, shopping mall, amusement park or elsewhere in Los Angeles should not result in serious injuries. Unfortunately, not all property owners take proper care of their escalators. If you or a loved one has suffered an escalator injury in Los Angeles County, an LA injury attorney can help you seek justice.
Why Do Escalator Injuries in Los Angeles Happen?
Escalators have hundreds of moving parts that must all work together correctly for the machine to function safely and properly. If just one of these parts malfunctions, it could cause a serious injury or even an escalator accident death, such as a severe fall.
Escalator accidents can occur for many reasons, including:
- Defective or missing parts
- Lost or missing screws
- Missing machine guards
- User entrapment
- Clothing getting caught in an escalator belt
- Missing or broken steps
- Electrical malfunctions
- Mechanical failures
- Improper maintenance
- Slip or trip and fall hazards
- Sudden stops or jerks
- Sudden direction reversals
- Gaps in escalator plates or combs
Common injuries suffered in escalator accidents include broken bones, pinched and lacerated skin, cuts and abrasions, impact injuries, soft-tissue injuries, head and brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and entrapment injuries (e.g., finger and toe amputations). Children are especially vulnerable to serious escalator injuries.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for an Escalator Injury in Los Angeles?
All property owners in California have a legal responsibility to ensure the reasonable safety of their premises. This includes the safety of machinery and equipment located on the property, such as escalators and elevators. The failure to uphold this duty of care could lead to a premises liability claim if a visitor is injured or killed as a result.
The legal doctrine of premises liability states that if a victim is injured on a property due to owner negligence, or the failure to adhere to the standard of care, the victim can take legal action against the property owner in pursuit of financial compensation. If you were injured in an escalator accident in LA, you could potentially hold the property owner liable for negligently failing to prevent or repair known escalator defects or hazards.
If an escalator accident takes place at Universal CityWalk or The Grove, for example, the company that owns these properties could be held liable for improper equipment maintenance. If an escalator accident occurs on public or city-owned property, such as the Venice Beach Boardwalk or the Los Angeles International Airport, the city government can be held responsible.
Product Liability Claims for Escalator Injuries in Los Angeles
An escalator accident case could also involve the doctrine of product liability if the escalator was defective. If one of the escalator parts or components contained a design, manufacturing or marketing defect and the defective part caused an injury, the manufacturer of the escalator could be held liable.
Why You Need to Hire an Escalator Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you suffer an escalator injury in Los Angeles, one or more parties may be financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Hiring an attorney to represent you during the claims process can improve the outcome of your case. Your attorney can help you prove your case with evidence and negotiate with insurance companies for maximum compensation on your behalf.
To request a free consultation regarding an escalator injury claim in Los Angeles, contact Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP.