If you live in the City, there is a good chance you take an escalator every day. Everybody rides escalators, at least from time to time, and they are very rarely thought of as a potential safety hazard. Unfortunately, the truth is, they can be. Escalators have hundreds of working parts, and if they are not sufficiently manufactured or maintained, accidents can happen. If you were injured in an escalator accident, you are most likely looking into recovering financial compensation to help cover the cost of your medical bills, in-home care, lost wages, and more. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some of the questions you may have:
What most frequently causes escalator accidents?
Some of the most common causes of escalator accidents are as follows:
- Finger entrapments
- Missing foot brushes
- Gaps and spaces
- Missing steps
- Escalator design flaws
- Clothing or limbs getting snagged by machinery
- Escalators reversing direction
- Inadequate escalator lighting
- Loose or missing screws
- Faulty emergency shut-off buttons
- Faulty handrails
- Electrical or mechanical malfunctions
What injuries can an escalator accident cause?
Some of the injuries sustained in escalator accidents include, though are not limited to:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Concussions
- Torn ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
How do I recover financial compensation following an escalator accident?
To recover financial compensation, you must first prove that you were injured due to another party’s negligence. However, this is often easier said than done, which is why you should strongly consider hiring an experienced attorney who will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Your attorney may work to recover security camera footage of your accident, as this is generally the quickest, easiest way to prove your personal injury claim. However, your attorney will also use witness statements, police reports, and medical documentation detailing the extent of your injuries to prove your personal injury claim. Be very careful about what you post on social media after filing your claim. Insurance companies may be monitoring your accounts, so it is very important you do not do anything that may contradict your claim, otherwise, they may use it against you.
What is the statute of limitations in New York?
In New York, the statute of limitations is three years, which means you have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. Please do not put it off; if you do, there is a very good chance you will be denied the compensation you need for a speedy recovery.
Contact our experienced New York City firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
