Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog
A female Metro passenger was injured last week in a Washington DC escalator accident. The woman suffered chin and knee injuries when she fell into an escalator access hatch at the Pentagon Station. At the time, the escalator was not moving. It had, however, been undergoing maintenance so that the workers could replace the step rollers.
The opening, which was at the top of an escalator, was about the size of a manhole. Officials say that that it should have been covered and barricaded. The injured woman was hospitalized for two days for her injuries.
Escalator Accidents
Escalator accidents can cause serious injuries. Just last month a 4-year-old boy was killed in an escalator accident. In another Washington DC escalator accident last February, several steps on one at the Foggy Bottom Metro Station bucked to pile atop each other, creating a three-foot-hold. One passenger lost her balance and fell backwards. Fortunately, she did not fall into the hole, as two other passengers helped pull her up. Last October, four people got hurt in a DC Metro escalator accident at L’Enfant Plaza station. Riders fell on top of each other after the brakes failed.
If faulty maintenance, elevator malfunction, or some other safety issue caused your escalator accident, you may be able to file a Washington DC personal injury lawsuit against the owner of the property where the elevator is located, the elevator manufacturer, and/or other liable parties. Other common causes of escalator accidents include improper installation, missing or loose parts, inadequate inspections, escalator parts defects, and clothing/hand/foot entrapment.
UPDATE: Metro rider falls into escalator hatch left open, Washington Examiner, April 28, 2011
L’Enfant Escalator Collapse, NBC Washington, February 26, 2011
Escalator Steps Collapse at DC Foggy Bottom Metro Station, MyFox DC, February 18, 2011
4-Year-Old Boy Killed in Escalator Accident, ABC7, March 14, 2011
Related Web Resources:
Danger on the escalator, CBS News, February 17, 2005
More Blog Posts:
Escalator Malfunction at DC Metro Station Injures Four, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, October 14, 2011
DC Metro Assault Crimes: Does WMATA Provide Adequate Security?, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, August 27, 2010
One Person Dead and One Injured in DC Metro Stabbing Incident, Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog, May 31, 2010
Contact our Washington DC premises liability law firm today.