General

Serious injuries suffered when escalators malfunction

There are dozens of malls across Florida, from small strip malls to huge malls like the Aventura Mall. Whether a mall is a few thousand square feet or a couple million square feet, property owners are expected to ensure that every square foot of the premises is reasonably safe. This includes the various stairways, escalators and elevators that patrons use to get from one floor to another.

Ensuring these areas are properly maintained and secure is crucial, as an accident could lead to falls and serious injuries. A recent accident outside of the U.S. should serve as a grim reminder of what can happen when something goes wrong in these areas.

According to reports, at least 18 people got hurt when an escalator malfunctioned in a Hong Kong mall. The escalator was full of people as it traveled upward. Suddenly, the escalator reversed direction and started moving downward at roughly twice the regular speed.

Luckily, no one was killed in the accident, but many riders lost their balance and fell to the bottom of the escalator.

The reason for the unexpected movement has not been determined as of yet. Reports indicate that it had just been inspected last week, so examining that inspection as part of a thorough investigation will be critical.

Depending on the results of such an investigation, it should become clear who is liable for the accident and the injuries suffered. It could be the owner of the mall, the contractor responsible for maintaining the moving stairway or perhaps the designer of the escalator if the malfunction was the result of defective design.

Any person who is injured in a similar accident inside a shopping mall should understand that there is typically going to be a party liable for any damages suffered as a result of dangerous property. However, identifying that party can be complicated, as is building a negligence claim. Thankfully, you do not have to do these things on your own. You can work with a personal injury attorney to file a premises liability claim and pursue financial compensation.

Tue Aug 28, 7:37pm