Escalator Accidents - Las Vegas, Nevada

Escalator accidents can be very dangerous and often require medical treatment that can last months or even years. If you got hurt in an escalator accident, call our office at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case. While no attorney can undo the harm caused by an accident, we can help you recover compensation for medical treatment (past, present, and future), lost wages, and other damages related to your injuries.

Where do escalator accidents happen in Las Vegas?

Escalator accidents can happen in any big or small building, but most of the time, they occur in high-traffic places: department stores, hotels, convention centers, nightclubs, airports, and office buildings. It is not unusual to see an escalator accident in public places shortly after the maintenance work was complete, especially if the maintenance crew performed the repairs poorly.

Causes of escalator accidents

Wear and tear, malfunctioning parts, or lack of proper maintenance cause escalator accidents. Other factors may include manufacturing defects, operational errors, and, occasionally, poor design of an escalator. Bad lighting and slippery surfaces can also play a role in escalator accidents. Finally, people's clothes, especially shoes or shoelaces that get caught in an escalator, can contribute to or even cause an accident.

Who can be held liable for escalator accidents?

The following parties could be legally liable for an escalator accident:

• Property owner
• Property renter
• Property manager
• Parts manufacturer
• Maintenance company
• The operator of the escalator
• Escalator repair contractors

Common injuries

Escalator accidents can be devastating. Injuries range from cuts requiring stitches to broken bones, head trauma, or even wrongful death.

When an escalator malfunctions, it is not uncommon for several people to be injured at once.

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When shoes or clothing cause an escalator accident

In rare cases, the shoe manufacturer may be legally liable if footwear becomes trapped between escalator steps and causes an accident. For example, in 2016, after an escalator accident involving a 2-year-old toddler, the victim's parents filed a lawsuit against Crocs Shoe manufacturer for the negligent and inappropriate design of kids' shoes.

Loose clothing - such as long dresses, skirts, or coats - can also get caught in the moving steps or side panels. When fabric becomes trapped, it can pull a person off balance, causing falls, entrapment, or other serious injuries.

Legal duty to keep escalators safe

Property owners or property renters have a legal obligation to their customers to maintain an escalator and keep it safe, so the escalator doesn't cause harm to people who use it.

When property owners or the property renters neglect to maintain the escalator, making the escalator no longer safe, those parties and any other third-party hired to repair the escalator (repair crew, parts manufacturer, etc.) could be held liable.

Settlements after escalator accidents in Las Vegas

What settlement to expect after the escalator accident depends on the facts of your case and how severe the injuries are. As with all personal injury claims, the accident compensation correlates to the amount of your medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Some escalator injury lawsuits have resulted in seven-figure settlements.

If you were injured in an escalator accident in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada - and required hospitalization or missed work - call our office to speak with an attorney experienced in these cases..

The initial consultation with our attorney is free.

Does every escalator accident result in a lawsuit?

No. Not all escalator accidents result in legal claims or large settlements.

In 2007, a 22-year-old Las Vegas man was killed after falling off the escalator. He had been heavily drinking that night and was surfing the escalator by sliding down the arm rails. His death was ruled as an accidental death.

In the spring of 2018, a 21-year-old visitor to Las Vegas suffered a serious injury after falling from an escalator at the Fremont Street Experience shopping complex. Witness statements and video footage confirmed he was intoxicated and attempted to slide down the escalator rail shortly after 2 a.m. To date, no settlement has been reported in connection with this incident.

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If you were partly at fault

Nevada follows a rule called modified comparative negligence. Under this rule, an injured person may receive injury compensation if they are less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, their compensation is going to be smaller.

This rule can sometimes stop an escalator accident from turning into a lawsuit.

Dram shop law in Nevada

In most states, dram shop laws make bars, restaurants, and other establishments legally responsible for harm caused by intoxicated customers they continued to serve. Nevada's law is different. Under NRS 202.020 - 202.055 and NRS 41.1305, liability applies only when alcohol is served to a minor. Bars and restaurants generally cannot be sued if an adult patron becomes intoxicated, injures themselves (such as in an escalator accident), or harms others.

Statute of limitations

The statute of limitations for all personal injury claims in Nevada is two (2) years. The escalator accidents fall into this category.

We can help

If you got injured in an escalator accident and you feel the accident is not your fault, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a personal injury attorney.

We take all escalator accidents on a contingency basis, which means for you - if we cannot get your settlement money, then we don't get paid, and you don't owe us anything.

The initial consultation is free.

We work with clients in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada, including many tourists hurt in escalator accidents while visiting our state.

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