Escalators are convenient, ubiquitous and potentially quite dangerous and it is easy when traveling to work or shopping and a mall to fall victim to personal harm caused by those perpetually turning steps. This type of injury is covered under premises liability law. Clothing is the most common culprit in an escalator accident and when the fabric of one's attire is ensnared within the machinery of a moving stairway, fingers are lost, toes are crushed and even death is possible.

Defects in the turbine or irregularities between the stairs can cause escalator riders to fall great distances or be fatally crushed under the steps. From the very least scratch to the very worst injury, if an escalator accident was caused by the negligence of the manufacturer of the machine, the owner of the establishment where it is located where or the individuals directly responsible for the maintenance and repair, the victim has a legal right to financial compensation for their suffering.

But victims injured in accidents involving escalators may wonder to whom to turn for advice and assistance in recovering damages. Personal injury attorneys specialize in a myriad of accidental injuries, including those caused by average, everyday escalators. Legal counselors specifically experienced with escalator-caused injuries are the first individuals anyone harmed in this manner should go to for advice and evaluation.

Personal Injury and Personal Responsibility is not the Same Thing If you've been involved in an escalator accident you may feel that you were foolish and uncoordinated and therefore at full fault for any injury, but this is not necessarily the view of the law. While it is true that escalator accidents caused completely by the victim are not legally eligible for a personal injury claim, property owners, designers, manufacturers and maintenance-people are considered legally responsible for the safe upkeep of moving steps. If your accident was in any way related to their negligence, omissions, or misconduct then your feelings of clumsiness are unwarranted. The only way to know for sure is to find an attorney and let them review your accident, injury and potential claim.

If it can be proven by law that you were taking what is legally termed as "reasonable care" in your conduct on the escalator when the injury occurred and also proven that the accident resulted from responsible parties failing to uphold the standards of "reasonable care" in maintaining the safety of the moving steps, then you have a viable personal injury case.

Individuals who hesitate and fail to go forward with an escalator-related personal injury case are guaranteed to never receive payment for their losses. Call a personal injury lawyer specializing in escalator accident cases today to give yourself a fighting chance. Since many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.