As businesses and residences grew taller over the course of the past century, it became somewhat impractical to rely solely on the use of stairs to climb levels within a building. Elevators and escalators provide an effective solution to this problem. Because they are so commonplace, people have come to expect they are guaranteed safe. Unfortunately, negligent design, maintenance, or installation of escalators can cause serious injuries or fatalities.
If you have been hurt in an accident involving an elevator or escalator, then it may be appropriate to consider legal action against the owner of the property where the incident occurred. Or possibly against the manufacturer of the flawed device. Contact the Oklahoma City elevator injury attorneys of the Abel Law Firm at (405) 239-7046, through our online contact form. Or speak with us through live chat to speak with a skilled and experienced OKC premises liability lawyer about your case.
How Can an Elevator and Escalator Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Whether your injury happened in an apartment building or a department store, using an Oklahoma City elevator and escalator injury attorney can help increase your chances of getting fair compensation. Property owners typically have insurance policies to cover injuries on their property. But these insurance companies are incentivized to pay as little money as possible.
A skilled elevator and escalator injury lawyer will be well-versed in the laws and regulations governing these injuries. They can help fight for the maximum amount of money you’re owed. They can advise you on your legal options. Help determine liability and help collect evidence critical to proving your case. They will negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and in courts.
Why Should I Choose Abel Law Firm to Handle my Elevator or Escalator Injury Case?
The trusted Oklahoma City elevator and escalator injury attorneys at Abel Law Firm have over 130 years of combined experience helping clients get maximum compensation and justice for accidents caused by others’ negligence. We have helped our clients get millions of dollars for their injuries and get on the road to recovery. As demonstrated through our glowing reviews from past clients, we treat each client with the respect and personal attention they deserve, and we want to do the same for you.
Contact the experienced and compassionate attorneys at Abel Law Firm today for a free consultation to see how we can help with your case.
Elevator and Escalator Injury Cases We Handle
Escalators seem fairly simple, with the typical user’s exposure to them giving the impression that they are no more complex than a set of stairs that moves. Elevators may also appear to be uncomplicated pieces of machinery from a rider’s perspective.
The truth of the situation, however, is that these are quite sophisticated mechanical products. A failure of any part could result in catastrophe. If you have been harmed by a poorly made or maintained elevator or escalator, the Oklahoma elevator and escalator injury attorneys at Abel Law Firm might be able to help.
Some types of elevator and escalator cases Abel Law Firm handles include injuries caused by:
- Stopping between levels or merely uneven with the floor
- Failure of doors to close
- Support cable failure
- Missing escalator steps
- Inadequate railing
- Fire danger from motorized mechanisms hidden from view
- The risk of clothing being caught in an escalator
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property because they failed to provide a safe environment with their elevator or escalator, you could be entitled to compensation to cover expenses for your injuries and property damage.
Compensation typically covers things like:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses, such as medicine, physical therapy, or surgery
- Disability accommodations
- Pain and suffering
- Property damages
- Wages lost while recovering from your injuries
- Reduced capacity to earn comparable income in the future
The exact amount you might be owed depends on the details of your case. An experienced Oklahoma elevator and escalator injury attorney will be able to guide you through your case and help you find out just how much you are entitled to recover.
How Long Do I Have to File an Elevator or Escalator Injury Lawsuit?
Elevator and escalator injuries fall under premises liability law in Oklahoma. That places several restrictions on when lawsuits can be filed. One of these limits is the state’s “statute of limitations,” which places a deadline on lawsuits.
Under this statute, you typically have only two years from the elevator or escalator accident date to file a lawsuit for injuries or property damages. After this time period has passed, it will likely be impossible to get compensation for your injuries, except in very rare circumstances. An experienced attorney can help explain which regulations, exceptions, and timelines apply to your case and can help ensure all necessary paperwork is filed on time.
Who is Liable in an Elevator or Escalator Injury Case?
Multiple parties might be liable for elevator and escalator accidents. Some examples of potentially responsible parties include:
- The property owner or manager where the elevator or escalator is located
- The elevator or escalator’s manufacturer
- The company that maintains the elevator or escalator
Again, a knowledgeable Oklahoma elevator and escalator injury attorney can learn about your experience. They will help you understand how to determine liability precisely.
What If I Was Partially Responsible for the Accident?
If you did something to contribute to your accident, such as talking on the phone while you were walking down an escalator, you might be considered partially responsible for your accident. Even if this is the case, you might still be eligible for compensation. Although the amount of compensation could be significantly reduced.
Under Oklahoma’s “comparative negligence” statutes, an injured party in an elevator or escalator accident can get compensation if their portion of responsibility is less than that of the other responsible parties. For example, if insurance or the courts determine you were 20% to blame for the accident, and your damages were worth $1,000, then the responsible party would only owe you for the other 80%, or $800.
Contact Us
You may have incurred significant medical bills and lasting injuries due to a property owner’s negligence. We firmly believe you should not bear those effects without legal recourse. For assistance seeking the financial compensation you deserve, contact the Oklahoma premises liability lawyers of Abel Law Firmtoday at (405) 239-7046, through our online contact form, or chat live.
