How escalator accidents frequently occur

Strategies to prevent escalator accidents from occurring have not always appeared to be effective. At one airport, there were 175 accidents resulting in injuries between 2008 and 2014. At the same time, it’s claimed that only three escalator accidents at this same airport since 2008 have been blamed on mechanical problems.

It appears that wheeled luggage is to blame for many of these accidents. Because so many of these accidents have occurred, inspectors have made recommendations for directing individuals to use elevators rather than escalators.

Unfortunately, the use of warning language has not been uniform. The airport claims there is only so much they can do to encourage customers on the airport premises to take the elevator.

Statistics suggest that these accidents are foreseeable. The airport in question sees 100,000 travelers going through the airport on a daily basis during summer months. As these travelers are usually trying to get from one end of the airport to the other rather quickly, accidents appear more likely to occur. Also, there are only a limited number of elevators at the airport as opposed to escalators.

When it comes to premises liability and personal injury matters, businesses do have an obligation to keep their customers safe. If the same types of accidents or injuries occur over and over again, some sort of action is in order. We’ve seen time and again where businesses do not take this obligation seriously, however. Sometimes businesses instead blame victims for what has occurred. It’s best to address questions regarding whether a case for premises liability exists to attorneys experienced in this area of law.

Source: The News Tribune, “Airport illustrates the human element in escalator accidents,” Melissa Santos, June 28, 2014