An ordinary trip to the mall, airport, or office building can turn into a nightmare in a split second. When the moving stairs you trust to be safe suddenly jolt, stop, or catch a piece of your clothing, the resulting escalator accident can leave you with serious injuries and profound shock. You are not alone in this experience. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), escalators are responsible for sending approximately 10,000 people to emergency rooms each year nationwide. What was a moment of convenience suddenly becomes a source of pain, confusion, and mounting questions about what happened and why.

In the aftermath of such an event in Pennsylvania, facing medical bills and time away from work can be incredibly stressful. The good news is that you have legal rights. If your escalator injury was caused by a property owner's negligence or a mechanical failure, you may be entitled to significant compensation. This guide was created to provide clear answers and a path forward. We will walk you through the essential steps to protect your claim, explain how to determine who is liable, and show you how to pursue the financial recovery you need to heal and move on.

Why Escalator Accidents Are More Serious Than You Think

Escalators are intricate and powerful machines with numerous components. A malfunction or lack of maintenance in any of these parts can lead to significant harm. Each year, thousands of individuals receive emergency medical treatment for injuries sustained in escalator-related incidents.

The two most common causes of these injuries are falls and entrapment.

• Falls are the leading cause of escalator injuries, particularly among seniors and young children. A sudden stop, an unexpected jerk, or a slippery step can easily cause a person to lose their balance and tumble down the metal stairs. This can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe bruising.
• Entrapment occurs when a person's clothing, shoelaces, or even a body part gets caught in the machinery. This most often happens in the gaps between the moving steps and the stationary side panels or in the comb plate at the top or bottom of the escalator. Entrapment can lead to devastating crush injuries, amputations, and deep lacerations.

These incidents are not minor mishaps. They are serious accidents that can have long-term physical, emotional, and financial repercussions for victims and their families.

Establishing Liability for a PA Escalator Injury

After an accident, a primary question is, “Who is responsible?” In Pennsylvania, cases involving escalator injuries typically fall under a legal concept known as premises liability. This doctrine requires property owners and managers to maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors, patrons, and tenants.

Because escalators are complex machines known to pose a risk if not properly cared for, owners have a high duty of care to ensure they are safe for public use. This includes arranging for regular inspections, conducting routine maintenance, and promptly addressing any known defects. When they fail to meet this duty, they can be held legally responsible for the resulting harm.

Determining escalator injury liability can be complicated because multiple parties may share responsibility. A thorough investigation might reveal negligence on the part of one or more of the following:

• The Property Owner: The owner of the mall, airport, or commercial building where the escalator is located.
• The Property Manager: A third-party company hired to manage the daily operations and safety of the premises.
• The Escalator Manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect, the company that built the escalator could be liable under product liability laws.
• The Maintenance Company: Many property owners contract with specialized companies to inspect, service, and repair their escalators. If this company performed shoddy work or failed to identify a hazard, it could be held accountable.

Proving negligence is the foundation of a successful claim. This means showing that the at-fault party knew or should have known about a dangerous condition but failed to take reasonable steps to fix it.

Common Causes of an PA Escalator Injury

Escalator accidents rarely happen without a cause. They are almost always the result of a mechanical failure or a lapse in maintenance. Understanding the specific cause of your accident is fundamental to building a strong claim for compensation.

Mechanical Failures and Malfunctions

Even with proper maintenance, parts can wear out or fail. However, many failures are directly linked to a lack of oversight.

• Sudden Speed Changes: An abrupt stop, start, or sudden acceleration can throw riders off balance.
• Comb Plate Issues: The comb plate is the toothed platform at the entry and exit of the escalator. If teeth are broken or the plate is misaligned with the steps, it can create a serious entrapment hazard for feet and loose items.
• Step Malfunctions: Missing or broken steps create an obvious and dangerous gap. A collapsed step can cause a rider to fall into the machine’s inner workings.
• Handrail Problems: A handrail that stops moving or travels at a different speed than the steps can pull a rider off balance, leading to a fall.
• Excessive Gaps: Gaps between the side of the steps and the stationary side skirt can trap shoes, clothing, and even small children’s limbs.

Maintenance and Environmental Hazards

Often, an escalator accident is the direct result of human error and poor safety practices.

• Negligent Maintenance: The most common factor is a failure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Skipped inspections and ignored repair needs allow dangerous conditions to develop.
• Spills and Debris: Property owners must ensure escalators are kept clean and free of liquids or debris that could create a slip-and-fall hazard.
• Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting at the entrance or exit can make it difficult for riders to see their footing, increasing the risk of a misstep.
• Missing Safety Features: The absence of a clearly marked emergency shut-off button, or staff who are not trained to use it, can turn a minor incident into a catastrophe.

Steps to Take Immediately After an Escalator Accident in PA

What you do in the moments, days, and weeks after an escalator injury can significantly impact your health and your ability to recover fair compensation. If you find yourself in this situation, try to take the following steps.

1. Get Medical Help: Your health is the top priority. Call 911 or have someone call for you. Even if you feel you can walk away, some serious injuries like concussions or internal damage may not have immediate symptoms. A medical evaluation creates an official record of your injuries, which is essential evidence for your claim.
2. Report the Incident: Notify the property manager or on-site security about the accident as soon as possible. Insist on filing a formal incident report and ask for a copy for your records. Be sure to state the facts clearly and accurately.
3. Document the Scene: If you are able, use your phone to take pictures and videos of everything. Capture the location of the accident, the specific defect that caused it (e.g., a broken step, a wide gap), your injuries, and the surrounding area.
4. Identify Witnesses: If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. An independent third-party account can be powerful evidence to support your version of events.
5. Preserve Evidence: Do not throw away the shoes or clothing you were wearing, especially if they were torn, scuffed, or trapped in the machine. These items are physical proof that can help reconstruct the accident.
6. Decline to Give a Recorded Statement: The property owner’s insurance company may contact you quickly and ask you to provide a recorded statement. It is best to politely decline until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurers often use these statements to find reasons to deny or devalue your claim.
7. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: Navigating the claims process alone can be difficult. An experienced attorney can protect your rights and handle all the complexities for you.

Determining the Value of Your PA Escalator Accident Claim

An escalator injury settlement is designed to compensate you for all the ways the accident has impacted your life. These damages are generally broken down into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages are the direct, calculable financial losses you have incurred. This includes:

• All Medical Expenses: This covers everything from the initial emergency room visit to ongoing costs like surgery, physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you lost while unable to work during your recovery.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn a living in the future, you can be compensated for this loss.
• Property Damage: Reimbursement for any personal items, like clothing or electronics, that were destroyed in the accident.

Non-Economic Damages are intended to compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag. These are just as real as financial losses and may include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
• Emotional Distress: This includes compensation for anxiety, fear, depression, and trauma resulting from the accident.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: If your injuries resulted in permanent scars or physical changes, you are entitled to compensation for the associated embarrassment and humiliation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This compensates you for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and life experiences you enjoyed before the injury.

Because non-economic damages are subjective, insurance companies often try to minimize them. An experienced lawyer knows how to build a case that demonstrates the full extent of your suffering to ensure you are compensated fairly.

How a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Claim

Facing a large corporation and its insurance company can feel like an uphill battle. Hiring a skilled Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer levels the playing field and provides you with a dedicated advocate committed to your best interests.

Here is how a personal injury attorney can make a significant difference in your case:

• Conducting a Full Investigation: Your lawyer will launch an immediate and thorough investigation to secure critical evidence before it disappears. This includes obtaining maintenance logs, inspection reports, internal documents, and video surveillance footage of the accident.
• Identifying All Liable Parties: An experienced attorney can analyze the facts to determine every party that shares responsibility for your injuries, maximizing your potential sources of compensation.
• Hiring Experts: Your case may benefit from the testimony of an escalator safety expert or an engineer to explain how mechanical failure or negligence caused the accident. Your lawyer has a network of respected professionals to call upon.
• Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim: An attorney will work with you and your medical providers to accurately assess the total value of your economic and non-economic damages, ensuring no cost is overlooked.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Lawyers are expert negotiators who know the tactics insurers use to undervalue claims. They will handle all communications and fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf.
• Meeting Legal Deadlines: In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. Missing this deadline means you lose your right to sue forever. Your attorney will manage all deadlines and procedural requirements to protect your claim.

To ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve under Pennsylvania law, hiring a personal injury lawyer provides you with an experienced advocate. This allows you to focus on your recovery while they handle interactions with insurers and corporate legal teams. Their expertise and support are often vital for a fair resolution.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, is One Phone Call Away

An injury sustained on an escalator can dramatically alter the course of your life in a moment's notice. You should not have to bear the financial burden of someone else’s negligence. The legal process can be complex, but you do not have to navigate it alone.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an escalator accident in Pennsylvania, contact the law firm of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law. Our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. We are available day or night to assist you.