PERSONAL INJURY

New Jersey Escalator Accident Lawyer

Were you injured due to a defective, poorly maintained, or otherwise dangerous escalator in New Jersey? If so, you’re not alone. Escalator accidents happen more often than you might think. A study from the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine reports about 10,000 people in the U.S. are treated at emergency departments for escalator injuries annually.

If you were injured on an escalator in New Jersey and someone else was responsible for the accident, you have the right to demand answers and justice.

The New Jersey personal injury lawyers at Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman have extensive experience helping people injured in escalator accidents seek full and fair compensation so that they can move on with their lives. For almost 100 years, our New Jersey escalator accident attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions in compensation for our clients. We are known for providing compassionate, aggressive advocacy for injured people.

If you are dealing with significant injuries after a New Jersey escalator accident, we want to help. Contact us today for a free case review.

Reasons to Choose Our New Jersey Escalator Accident Lawyers

If you have been hurt in an escalator accident and you’re considering pursuing compensation, you want a law firm with an established reputation and a history of handling cases similar to yours. Here are a few of the reasons to work with our New Jersey escalator accident attorneys:

Our experience

Our firm was founded in 1929, giving us many decades of legal experience we can use to your benefit. We have helped thousands of people in New Jersey pursue the compensation they deserve and look forward to putting this experience to work for you.

Our resources

Our attorneys and team of talented support staff can tackle even the most complex and challenging cases. Insurance companies often try to intimidate and overwhelm escalator accident victims with their significant legal resources, but our team can go toe-to-toe with any attorneys.

Our track record

We are known as accident lawyers who get results. Our personal injury lawyers have tried cases in state and federal courthouses, and we have won at both the trial and appeal levels. Most importantly, we are exceptionally proud to say that four out of five new cases we receive are referrals from prior clients, clients hiring us again after we previously represented them, or other lawyers.

Our approach

Many personal injury law firms treat clients as numbers in a case file. That is not the way our New Jersey escalator accident attorneys operate. We pride ourselves on providing individual attention to our clients so we can meet all their specific legal needs. We have the resources of a large law firm, but we combine that with a commitment to treating every client with the care, respect, and dignity they deserve. When you work with us, you will know what is going on throughout the legal process, and we will promptly answer any questions you have.

From our clients

I would recommend Richard Isolde to my family and friends, and he was accommodating in handling our case. He was always available by text, phone calls, and email. Most significantly, he helped us get what we deserved. Richard Isolde is always there for his clients and does whatever he can to get the job done.

Richard Isolde worked very hard on my case, making the impossible possible.
He was able to get the full amount up to the policy limit and then get punitive damages in addition. I understand that is a rare accomplishment. I am grateful for that and I congratulate him. Your firm was recommended to me by a friend and I will pay it forward by recommending him as well as PRA.

I used Mr. (SQ) Lee for a personal injury matter and could not have been any more pleased with his services. He understood my injury and helped me every step of the way. He was courteous and kind and I always felt better after speaking with him. His assistant, Sherrill, was also wonderful and together they made a great team! I would absolutely recommend them, and the firm, to anyone.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

At Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman, we do not charge you any fees upfront to start work on your personal injury case. We will review your case for free, with no obligation to you. If we believe you have a claim for compensation, we will do all the legal legwork with no out-of-pocket cost to you. When we recover compensation for you, our fee then comes as a percentage of that. If we don’t win, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.

Common Causes and Types of Escalator Accidents in New Jersey

Some common types of escalator accidents in New Jersey include:

Wet steps

If an escalator step or multiple steps are wet, someone could slip and fall on the escalator. Slip-and-falls are more likely when someone is stepping on or off an escalator, as they must match their steps with the escalator’s movement.

Sudden stops

If an escalator stops without warning, the sudden change in momentum can cause passengers to lose their balance and fall. If someone falls on a crowded escalator and knocks someone else over, the result may be a domino effect that takes down multiple people.

Mechanical malfunctions

Sudden stops are not the only way escalators can malfunction. If the escalator accelerates without warning or reverses direction, riders can lose their balance and fall, or they may sustain other injuries.

Missing, loose, or collapsed steps

Most people do not think twice before stepping onto an escalator. If an escalator passenger steps on a loose or missing panel, they could fall and sustain severe injuries. Weakened panels can also collapse as someone is riding an escalator.

Limbs or digits trapped in closing steps

– As you ride an escalator, you may notice a gap between steps at the top and bottom of the escalator. The gap does not stay open for long, but there is enough time for someone to have their limbs or digits trapped. Young children are more prone to these accidents because their limbs are closer to the ground, and they may not be aware of the potential danger.

Clothing, shoes, hair, or fingers caught in escalator steps or the side wall

Loose shoelaces, bulky clothing, long hair, and digits can all become trapped in an escalator’s steps or side wall. Someone caught in the machinery may suffer severe injuries.

Lack of safety features

Some escalators lack basic safety features that can help prevent serious injuries. If an escalator has no emergency stop button, it may be much harder to rescue someone caught in the steps or side wall, for example. If the escalator does not have proper guardrails, riders may accidentally fall over the side and sustain severe injuries.

Defective escalator design

Escalators with large gaps between steps and other design flaws place riders at an increased risk of an accident.

Places Where Escalator Accidents Occur

Escalators can be found in buildings across New Jersey, including:

Office buildings
Department stores and malls
Airports
Hotels
Convention centers
Railroad and subway stations
Sports venues
Amusement parks

Our Victories

Nursing Home Settlements

Settlements from nursing home neglect cases involving contraction of pressure ulcers, falls with fractures or other injuries and infections have resulted in the following outcomes.

$750K

$750,000 for Defective Product in “Scalding Water Leak” Injury

A delivery driver brought his car in to the dealer for a water leak repair. A week later he returned because the leak continued. He was told to continue driving the car and return a few days later.

$2M

$2 Million Settlement in SUV Accident Case

A passenger in a SUV suffered a broken neck and other injuries when the vehicle rolled over because of the negligence of the driver and the failure of a tire.

$425K

$425,000 for Neck & Spinal Injuries in Missile Silo Clean-up “Missing Floor Fall”

While cleaning up an abandoned US Air Force missile silo, our client fell through an unmarked missing floor in a dark room. He suffered serious neck and spinal injuries, requiring two surgeries.

$4.47M

$4.47 Million in Paralyzing Injury from Swimming Pool Diving Accident

When a 19-year-old woman dove into an above ground swimming pool, she fractured her neck and became a quadriplegic for life. There were no warning signs at the pool, although the law requires diving warnings.

$1.1M

$1.1 Million Pre-Trial Settlement for Bus Accident Victim

A construction foreman, driving his pick-up truck south on the NJ Turnpike, was struck from behind by a commercial bus and forced across two lanes of traffic.

$700K

$700,000 to Diabetic Plumber Injured at Construction Site

Climbing down a ladder, a union plumber stepped on a nail protruding from wood left at a construction site in Jersey City by the general contractor or sub-contractors that had performed framing on the construction site.

$1.4M

$1.4 Million Dollar Settlement in Truck Accident

We obtained a $1.4 million dollar settlement on behalf of a driver whose vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer’s blown-out tire. Our client was driving his company vehicle when the Defendant’s tractor trailer had a tire blowout.

$95K

$95,000 for Man Injured in Auto Accident

A 47-year-old man received $95,000 in a settlement to compensate him for a serious fracture to his right wrist suffered in an auto accident. Although the fracture required surgery, the man made a good recovery from his injury.

$250K

Car accident victim suffering severe injuries awarded $250,000

A New Jersey driver swerved into an improperly installed guardrail/partition which, upon impact, impaled the vehicle and severed our client’s left leg. Despite a series of complex circumstances impacting liability, and our client passing away due to an unrelated medical condition, we settled the case for $250,000.

$200+ Million

Recovered for Clients

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Attorney Average Years in Practice

Our firm has the resources to invest in medical experts, technical experts, engineers, legal research, high-tech animations and models, pre-trial and trial preparation expenses, and anything else we feel is necessary to fight for the best result in your case.

Contact

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Premises Liability or Products Liability – What Type of Claim Do You Have?

Depending on what caused an escalator accident and who is responsible, you could have either a premises liability claim, a products liability claim, or both.

Premises liability claims involve negligence by a property owner or manager. So, if an escalator accident is due to poor maintenance or upkeep, you would likely have a premises liability case.

A products liability claim involves a design or manufacturing defect with the escalator. For example, if the escalator has significant gaps between steps by design, you may have a claim against the manufacturer or designer if you get stuck.

Our lawyers are ready to analyze your situation and determine what potential claims you may have and who could be liable for your injuries.

Types of Injuries People Suffer in New Jersey Escalator Accidents

Escalator accidents can cause severe injuries, especially if someone is caught in the steps. Common injuries from New Jersey escalator accidents include:

Severed or amputated fingers, toes, and limbs
Broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries
Back and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
Nerve damage
Lacerations
Disfigurement
Torn ligaments and tendons, along with other soft-tissue injuries

Compensation You Could Recover for Injuries in an Escalator Accident

You deserve fair compensation for all your injuries and other losses related to an escalator accident that was someone else’s fault. With help from our experienced personal injury lawyers, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Reduced future earnings
Diminished quality of life

New Jersey’s Statute of Limitations on Escalator Accident Lawsuits

The usual deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit after an escalator accident is two years. However, the deadline could be much shorter depending on who is liable for your injuries. For instance, if you are injured in an escalator accident on government property, you may have as little as 90 days to file a claim. Talk to our lawyers as soon as possible after an escalator accident to ensure you do not lose your right to pursue compensation.

How Our Attorneys Help People Hurt in Escalator Accidents

If you’ve been injured, our escalator accident attorneys are ready to help you by:

Performing a thorough investigation

to identify all potentially liable parties

Gathering evidence

to establish liability and document all your injuries

Promptly filing your claim

to avoid issues with the statute of limitations

Handling all correspondence and settlement negotiations

with the insurance companies

Bringing your case to court

if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful

Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation with an Escalator Accident Lawyer

An escalator accident can result in painful injuries and a long and costly recovery. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for the harm you’ve suffered and losses you’ve incurred. Instead, contact Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman for a free consultation to discuss your rights and legal options.