February 09, 2012
/24-7PressRelease/ -- On December 29, 2007, an escalator in the former Giants Stadium malfunctioned, seriously injuring eight people who were attending a New York Giants game. In January, the victims of the escalator accident reached a settlement with the company that operated the Stadium, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority.
The escalator accident occurred when the Gate A escalator abruptly sped up and then stopped, causing a few of the steps to break. Some individuals' feet and legs were trapped under the steps while others fell down. One man lost his right leg due to the accident.
In the personal injury lawsuit arising from the
NY escalator accident, the plaintiffs claimed that Schindler, the company in charge of maintaining the escalator, failed to replace a faulty mechanical part on the escalator and failed to properly inspect the escalator. They also stated that the Authority should have limited the number of people on the escalator, especially since a similar accident, caused in part by overloading, had occurred at the Stadium in 2000.
Escalator Accidents
Each year, there are more than 100 billion passenger trips on U.S. escalators and more than 10,000 people are injured. The majority of escalator injuries are caused by slips and falls. Others are the result of entrapment, which occurs when someone's foot or leg becomes trapped on the escalator.
Though escalator riders' actions (such as failing to step off the escalator) often contribute to escalator accidents, other parties may also be at fault. This is especially true when an escalator defect or malfunction causes the escalator accident.
In some escalator accident cases, plaintiffs have been able to hold escalator maintenance companies, escalator manufacturers and building owners liable for their injuries. Potential problems include:
- Failure to inspect the escalator
- Defective design
- Damaged comb plates
- Sudden stops or acceleration
- Broken escalator steps
- Missing screws or teeth
- Equipment malfunction
- Large gaps between the escalator walls and steps
Unfortunately, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not regulate escalators as it does automobiles. Furthermore, escalators are not subject to federal accident inspections and there is little information available about escalator defects. Cities and states must ensure that escalator companies inspect the escalators annually.
Personal Injury Lawsuits for Escalator Accidents
In the Giants Stadium escalator accident case, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority agreed to pay $2 million to the victims. It offered the settlement midway through a Superior Court trial in Hackensack, New Jersey. Schindler also settled with the accident victims. The terms of that settlement, which was offered on the first day of trial, are not public.
Individuals injured in escalator accidents should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss their case. Depending on the facts of their case, they may be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more.
Article provided by Roy S. Hiller
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