An estimated 35,000 escalators run around the United States of America. A collective 105 billion trips are made on the device every year. You can find them in the mall, work places, at the shopping store, and even outdoors. They have become as common as elevators. Many people do not hesitate to step onto the moving steps. It is a familiar site, one that we don’t question. Unfortunately, these innocuous escalators can be quite dangerous.
In a study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of over 11,000 people are hurt on escalators every year. There have been reports of 24-27 deaths a year caused by the machines. It is the responsibility of the building managers and manufacturers to ensure the escalators are safe to use. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Many injuries occur on escalators and for different reasons.
Common things that go wrong on an escalator are:
1.Handrails not aligned properly
2.Demarcation lines are worn away or not there
3.Broken entry mats
4.Sudden stops
5.Steps not in sync
Escalators must be checked twice a year. Some facilities fail to maintain their unit, causing extensive damage. The most serious escalator injuries are due to falls. Because of poor equipment, it is easy for people to slip and fall. This can lead to broken bones, concussions, and other serious harm. The other dangerous side effect of an escalator is entrapment. If not properly taken care of, there can be passages and gaps in which body limbs, clothes, and other objects that can get caught, leading to lacerations and broken bones.
At Wyatt Law Firm, we believe that you should be able to go places like the mall and market without being injured. Escalator injuries have the potential to cause debilitating harm. If you or a loved one was injured, contact our San Antonio personal injury attorneys today. We fight aggressively on your behalf!