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The National Elevator Industry Association (NEI) reports that there are an estimated 35 thousand escalators and 900 thousand elevators in the United States. The majority of them are located in commercial, retail and public buildings such as airports and hospitals.

On August 7, 2015 WESH in Orlando, Florida reported that firefighters were called to Universal Orlando on the previous evening to rescue a child whose two feet were caught. Matthew Negedly of the Orlando Fire Department said they have had several escalator entrapments. It took one hour using the Jaws of Life to extract the child’s feet.

Escalator injury and fatality statistics:

Escalator-related injuries and deaths have been steadily rising in the United States according to NEI. 1990 there were 4,900 reported escalator-related injuries and deaths. By 2013, a total of 12,260 escalator-related injuries and deaths were reported. There are an estimated 4,600 patients over 65 treated in emergency rooms for escalator injuries.

Safety Research Strategies reports that researchers have attributed the causes of falls on escalators to contact with another passenger, inappropriate footwear, balance and coordination issues in the elderly, among others. Hand and foot injuries are the most common escalator accident injuries, but there have been head trauma and knee injuries. Also, there have been amputations, such as a fingertip amputation.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to elevator/escalator accidents. Following are some tips from WebMD: 

• Use caution when riding an escalator, especially when stepping on or off.
• Do not try to walk up a moving escalator.
• Do not carry large objects on an escalator.
• Do not wear loose garments while riding an escalator.
• If you have trouble walking or maintaining balance, consider using an elevator.

What to do when boarding or riding elevators from NEI:

• Never try to stop a closing door.
• Once on board, hold the rail or stand against the wall if possible.
• Keep children and pets close.
• If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, push the “door open” button. Watch your step when you exit as the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor.
• If the elevator stalls, signal for help by using the phone or alarm button and wait for qualified help to arrive. Never climb out of a stalled elevator.

The Center for Construction Research and Training says that usually, elevator/escalator injuries occur when part of a victim’s body, clothing, or package gets caught in the escalator. Other factors contributing to injury often include:

• Improper elevator/escalator design or design defect.
• Failure to maintain or inspect elevator/escalator.
• Failure to warn that elevator/escalator was not working properly.
• Failure to maintain or inspect component parts of elevator/escalator.
• Failure to follow building codes.
• Failure to follow elevator/escalator laws and regulations.

Accidents involving escalators and/or elevators can result from negligence on the part of

• Property owners
• Elevator/escalator maintenance and service companies
• Inspection companies
• Equipment manufacturers

Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. says, “Accidents involving escalators and elevators require the assistance of an experienced team of attorneys. We have that experience for you and your family.”

Fort Myers Premises Liability Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.