Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

Teenager Escapes with Minor Injuries After Terrifying Escalator Accident

On Behalf of | May 20, 2019 | Elevator Accidents, Escalator Accident

A young girl faced amputation after stepping onto an escalator with a few of her friends earlier this month. The terrifying escalator accident happened during a cheerleading competition when a group of girls (all teammates) stepped onto the escalator to travel to the lower level of a Rhode Island convention center. The twelve-year-old girl’s sneaker immediately got caught between the side railing of the escalator and the moving step and was pulled into the gap between two steps.

The girl began screaming for help and trying to pull her foot free but the machine had a firm grip on her sneaker. Two of her teammates were able to untie her shoe and pull her foot free an instant before the group reached the lower level and the sneaker was pulled into the teeth-like gap at the bottom of the escalator.

The girl suffered severe bruising on her foot and ankle and was left walking with crutches but the outcome could have been much worse. When officials retrieved her sneaker, the entire toe section had been shredded.

Some escalator accidents in New York City have ended with amputations and partial amputations leaving victims facing lifelong repercussions from encounters such as this. Even when these machines are in perfect working order, they pose a threat to individuals. Indeed, an inspection after this particular escalator accident found that the machine was in perfect working order–including the emergency stop button which was located at the bottom of the escalator. Nonetheless, the girl’s sneaker somehow became wedged in the escalator step. An experienced attorney can determine if this was a design defect by the manufacturer or a failure on the part of the escalator company and property owner in failing to properly inspect and maintain the escalator.

If you have been injured when riding an escalator, you could potentially hold the property owner, the device’s manufacturer, or the management company liable for your injuries. Contact an experienced escalator accidents in New York City today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation.

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