Accidents on escalators are not as uncommon as you may think, especially at busy times of the day. If you are unlucky enough to suffer an accident whilst travelling on an escalator you may be able to bring a claim for compensation.
Common causes of escalator accidents
Whilst some accidents are caused by individuals carrying too much luggage or impatiently pushing past others, on some occasions people are injured because of hazards on or around the escalator or mechanical failure.
Many accidents result from:
- wet or slippery steps
- wet areas surrounding the entrance/exit to the escalator
- emergency stops
- spontaneous escalator failure
- overcrowding resulting in shoving or falls
- damaged/faulty parts on the escalator
Understanding Common Escalator Accidents
One of the most common causes of escalator accidents occurs when escalators, or the areas used to enter or exit from them, become slippery. Most public areas do not have policies in place to use carpet or put out warning signs during inclement weather, relying on individuals to look out for any hazards. Many people however are too distracted by concentrating on where they are headed, looking at mobile phones or advertisements on the wall or by their children to notice if the area is slippery.
Another common cause of accidents is when the escalator makes an emergency stop, jerking people off balance. This is especially dangerous when the escalator is crowded such as during peak rush hour at the train or tube station.
Although rare, people can be injured when items of clothing or a shoe lace become caught in the escalator’s many parts which may lead to an emergency stop.
Nottingham Shopping Centre
A shopping centre in Nottingham was fined £75,000 after a customer was severely injured on an escalator. 24 year old Michael Reddington had been shopping in the West End Arcade in March 2012 when his foot got trapped in an escalator. Mr Reddington had accidentally placed his foot inside a missing part of the escalator steps which he had not seen due to poor lighting. As he reached the top of the flight of stairs, his foot became trapped between two steps as they compressed, crushing his foot and causing him to sustain severe injuries. The Managing Agents of the shopping centre admitted to health and safety breaches, in particular failing to maintain the machine properly and failing to ensure it was in a safe condition. They also admitted that systems to monitor safety on a daily basis were ineffective.
If you are involved in an escalator accident, wherever possible report the accident to the company responsible for the escalator and take photographs if relevant. Also take the names and addresses of any witnesses and ensure that you keep receipts for any injury related expenses.
It is always important to obtain prompt legal advice. Strict time limits apply for making a personal injury compensation claim, so please seek expert advice as soon as you think you may have a valid claim for compensation. At Taylor&Emmet we provide specialist legal advice for anyone who has been injured in a wide variety of slips, trips or falls, including those occurring on escalators or stairs. Contact us on 0114 218 4000 or email info@tayloremmet.co.uk.
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