Escalators and elevators are found in most malls, shopping plazas and department stores today. Unfortunately, they are not always safe for shoppers or the public. They may have dangerous product defects or maintenance problems that can lead to slip, trip and fall accidents. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury on an escalator or elevator in Dallas, Texas, contact The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. to find out how our attorneys can help you recover.
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Elevators and escalators are necessary to the architecture of modern buildings. Dallas is home to thousands of elevators and escalators that serve millions of people every day. These are powerful machines that require proper installation, maintenance and repairs to operate correctly. Even a minor issue with an elevator or escalator could lead to a serious or deadly accident. Common problems that cause elevator and escalator accidents in Texas include:
These hazards are often preventable with a normal or reasonable amount of care by the person or entity that owns the elevator or escalator. If a shopping mall has employees whose job it is to regularly inspect the machinery for issues, for example, it can catch a problem ahead of time before it causes a serious injury. Unfortunately, many businesses and property owners are negligent in keeping their premises safe.
Negligence is the grounds for most personal injury and premises liability claims in Texas. A property owner is negligent if he or she does not fulfill the required level of care, and this causes an injury to someone else. All property owners have a legal obligation to inspect their properties for hidden hazards, repair known injury risks and warn visitors of potential dangers. If a property owner does not meet this obligation, and this results in an elevator or escalator slip and fall accident, the property owner is financially responsible for the victim’s injuries.
In general, a negligent property owner in Texas is legally required to pay for an elevator or escalator accident, injury or death. The victim must prove liability, however, using clear and convincing evidence. Proof of liability is evidence that the owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard, negligently failed to remedy the issue, and that this was the direct cause of the victim’s injuries. An attorney in Dallas can help an injured victim collect evidence of fault for an escalator or elevator slip and fall accident.
If you or a loved one was recently injured in an elevator or escalator slip and fall accident, contact the local Dallas attorneys at The Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert, P.C. for a free consultation. We have many years of experience representing clients in slip and fall accident cases. We know how to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Speak to an attorney for more details about your legal rights and options today. Call (214) 609-1140 or contact us online for a free case review.