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

$750K

$750,000 Settlement – Wrongful Death in Nursing Home

A nursing home’s failure to administer essential medications led to preventable injuries and the untimely death of a young man. The case settled shortly before trial following extensive legal work and coordination with the family.

$500K

$500,000 Settlement – Fall on Residential Property Resulting in Infection

A prospective homebuyer suffered serious injuries and infection after falling on an ice-covered property that had not been properly maintained. The matter was litigated until a maximum-value settlement was achieved.

$975K

$975,000 Settlement – Spinal Surgery Medical Malpractice

An undiagnosed underlying health issue during spinal surgery resulted in permanent injuries that could have been prevented. After aggressive litigation, we secured a $975,000 settlement for the client and his family.

$305K

$305,000 Settlement – Firefighter Injured in Structural Collapse

A firefighter suffered a serious hand injury while forcing entry into a burning building during a search and rescue. The door was recessed in a non-code-compliant way, and the fire was caused by negligent hot tar work performed by the landlord. The case settled after expert testimony confirmed the long-term vocational impact of the injury.

$405K

$405,000 Settlement – Fall on Defective Staircase

A woman was injured when a wooden step collapsed beneath her as she was walking up to her mother’s apartment. She required arthroscopic surgeries to her right knee and shoulder, as well as spinal injections to manage pain. Our firm retained an engineer who confirmed the staircase was poorly maintained by the landlord. The case

$255K

$225,000 Settlement – Trip and Fall on Deteriorated Sidewalk

An elderly woman fell due to a hazardous sidewalk caused by improper drainage and erosion from nearby construction. She required a total knee replacement. The case was resolved for $225,000 without litigation.

$260K

$260,000 Settlement – Slip and Fall Leading to Spinal Neurotomy

A woman slipped on untreated ice outside a commercial building, sustaining spinal nerve damage. She later underwent a neurotomy procedure for chronic pain management. The case settled for $260,000 without going to trial.

$505K

$505,000 Settlement – Slip and Fall on Ice with Spine and Knee Surgeries

A delivery worker slipped on an icy stairway that had not been properly treated. He ultimately underwent lumbar fusion and knee surgery. A $505,000 settlement was reached before trial.

$510K

$510,000 Settlement – Rear-End Collision with Fatal Post-Surgical Complications

A wife and mother were rear-ended in a car accident and later died following complications from gallbladder surgery related to her injuries. We obtained a $510,000 settlement for her surviving family members.

$310K

$310,000 Settlement – Motorcycle Fatality on NJ Turnpike

We represented the estate of a young correctional officer who died in a motorcycle crash caused by furniture that had fallen onto the NJ Turnpike from another vehicle. His young child was the sole beneficiary. A pre-trial settlement of $310,000 was secured following investigation and expert analysis.

$200+ Million

Recovered for Clients

Personal Injury Practice Areas

Attorney Average Years in Practice

Our personal injury attorneys know that behind each accident victim is a personal tragedy, a story to be told, responsibility to be taken, wrongs to be righted, and closure needed.

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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.