Common Causes of Elevator and Escalator Accidents
These accidents often result from negligent maintenance or defective components:
- Elevator misleveling – When the elevator floor doesn’t align with the building floor
- Sudden stops or drops – Mechanical failures causing abrupt movements
- Door malfunctions – Doors closing on passengers or failing to open
- Escalator entrapment – Clothing, shoes, or body parts caught in mechanisms
- Missing or broken steps – Escalator step defects causing falls
- Speed irregularities – Sudden acceleration or deceleration
- Electrical failures – Shocks or fires from faulty wiring
- Free fall – Complete cable or brake system failure
Injuries from Elevator and Escalator Accidents
These accidents can cause serious injuries including:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations (escalator entrapment)
- Lacerations and crush injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns from electrical malfunctions
- Death in severe cases
Illinois Elevator Safety Law
Illinois regulates elevator and escalator safety through the Elevator Safety and Registration Act (225 ILCS 312/). This law requires regular inspections, proper maintenance, and certification of elevator mechanics. Building owners and property managers have a duty to maintain safe vertical transportation systems.
Under Illinois premises liability law, property owners can be held liable when they knew or should have known about dangerous conditions. The Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/) establishes the duties owed to visitors and guests.
Potentially Liable Parties
Multiple parties may share responsibility for elevator and escalator accidents:
- Building owners – Duty to maintain safe premises
- Property management companies – Responsible for day-to-day maintenance
- Elevator/escalator manufacturers – Product liability for defects
- Maintenance companies – Negligent inspection or repair
- Installation contractors – Improper installation
- Component part manufacturers – Defective parts
Best Elevator and Escalator Accident Lawyers in Chicago
These Chicago law firms handle complex elevator and escalator injury cases:
1. Phillips Law Offices
Phillips Law Offices has extensive experience with premises liability cases, including elevator and escalator accidents. Their attorneys understand the technical aspects of these cases and work with engineering experts to establish how failures occurred. They pursue all liable parties to maximize compensation for injured clients.
2. Clifford Law Offices
This prominent Chicago firm handles catastrophic injury cases involving elevator and escalator accidents. They have resources to retain expert witnesses and conduct thorough investigations into mechanical failures.
3. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC
Known for premises liability litigation, this firm has successfully represented victims of building safety failures, including vertical transportation accidents in commercial and residential properties.
4. Power Rogers, LLP
With a history of record verdicts, Power Rogers brings substantial experience to complex liability cases. They can handle cases involving multiple defendants and sophisticated technical issues.
5. Corboy & Demetrio
One of Chicago’s oldest personal injury firms, Corboy & Demetrio has handled numerous premises liability cases involving building safety issues across the city.
Compensation for Elevator/Escalator Injuries
Victims may recover damages for:
- Medical expenses – Emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation
- Lost wages – Time missed from work during recovery
- Future medical care – Ongoing treatment needs
- Lost earning capacity – Reduced ability to work
- Pain and suffering – Physical and emotional distress
- Disfigurement – Scarring or permanent physical changes
- Wrongful death – Compensation for families who lose loved ones
Steps to Take After an Accident
- Get medical attention – Document all injuries immediately
- Report the incident – Notify building management and request an incident report
- Take photos – Document the scene, your injuries, and any visible defects
- Get witness information – Collect names and contact details of witnesses
- Preserve evidence – Keep clothing, shoes, or items involved in the accident
- Don’t give statements – Avoid recorded statements to property owners or insurers
- Contact an attorney – Get legal help before evidence is lost or altered
Official Resources
- Illinois Elevator Safety and Registration Act
- OSHA – Elevator and Escalator Safety
- CPSC – Mechanical Hazards
Related: Premises Liability Lawyers | Personal Injury Lawyers
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