Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators are a routine part of most people’s urban environments. People ride them every day when they go to work or go shopping without often considering what could go wrong. Unfortunately, elevator and escalator accidents are very common and can result in serious injury or death.
According to The Center to Protect Workers’ Rights, around 17,000 people are injured and around 30 people lose their lives because of elevator or escalator accidents each year in the United States. Causes of injury and death in elevator and escalator accidents may include terrifying scenarios like falling into open shafts, being struck or pinned by moving parts, being trapped, or being electrocuted.
Around half of the overall deaths each year happen to elevator workers hired to install or repair the machines. If you are an accident victim, you may have a personal injury claim, a workers’ compensation claim, or both depending the circumstances of the event.
Lawyer for Elevator and Escalator Accidents in Atlanta, GA
Because elevator or escalator accident cases can be quite complex, it is important to contact an experienced legal professional such as those at The Balams Firm to ensure that you are in the best position to receive maximum compensation for your injuries. The Balams Firm has extensive experience representing clients who were injured in an elevator or escalator throughout the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
We practice throughout Georgia, including in Roswell, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Duluth, Dunwoody, East Point, Norcross, Smyrna, Forest Park, Milton, Riverdale, Decatur, College Park, and elsewhere in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and Clayton Counties. Call The Balams Firm today at (404) 445-2005for a free consultation!
Overview of Elevator and Escalator Accident Law in Georgia
- Information for Employees and Non-Employees
- Making Sure You File Your Claim on Time
- Additional Resources
Information for Employees and Non-Employees
If you sustained an injury on an elevator or an escalator as a private citizen, you may have a personal injury claim against the owner or operator of the machine if a maintenance or safety failure is to blame, then the owner of the premises may be liable. If an inherent defect is the cause, then you could have a case against the manufacturer of the elevator or escalator. For more information on these possibilities, see the sections on premises liability and product liability.
If you were injured on the job, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance program should be available to cover any hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, or rehabilitation. Workers’ compensation also helps by providing cash benefits up to $675.00 per week while you are unable to work.
Making Sure You File Your Claim on Time
A workers’ compensation claim should be filed through your employer within 30 days of the injury. If for some reason your benefits are not paid, you may need to contact the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation for assistance. A trained attorney can assist you in navigating any difficulties you may face and make sure that you receive what you are owed. Please visit the section on workplace accidents for more information.
Even if you were injured while working, you may still have a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim, for example if a manufacturing defect or safety oversight by the building owner is the cause of your injury. In general, a personal injury claim must be filed within 2 years of the injury under Georgia’s statute of limitations. An experienced attorney can assist you in analyzing the complex issues you may face, such as those involving timing and suing multiple parties, and strategize with you on how to effectively fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
Additional Resources
Center to Protect Workers’ Rights – Deaths and Injuries Involving Elevators and Escalators – A PDF containing information and statistics about elevator and escalator injuries for workers. The article breaks down types of injuries and common causes. If you were hurt on the job, read this for more information.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration – List of Elevator Accidents – A list of relevant events involving elevator accidents drawn from the OSHA database. Many kinds of incidents are described. You can also try searching for escalator accidents.
Atlanta Attorney for Elevator and Escalator Accidents in Georgia
The Balams Firm has experience representing clients in premises liability, product liability, and workers’ compensation cases throughout the greater Atlanta metropolitan area and elsewhere in Georgia. We have experience representing many different victims who have suffered many different kinds of accidents.
Through our years of working with such victims, we have gained the skill and knowledge necessary to give you the best chance at winning the compensation you deserve for your escalator or elevator accident. Call (404) 445-2005 now for a free consultation.