Charlotte, NC Stairway, Elevator, and Escalator Accidents Attorneys
Help for victims injured from dangerous premises throughout North Carolina
Injuries on stairways, elevators, and escalators can happen in a variety of ways. These accidents can occur from inadequate maintenance, as well as slip and fall accidents caused by spills or leaks. Additionally, the structural integrity of stairs, elevators, and escalators could be compromised and lead to severe injury-causing incidents.
Accidents that occur on stairways, elevators, or escalators can lead to severe injuries for those involved. Property owners have a duty to inspect and maintain the safety of these areas. However, careless or negligent property owners often fail to do so. At Price, Petho & Associates, we are here to help when you need a Charlotte premises liability attorney after a stairway, elevator, or escalator accident. If you or a loved one suffered harm, we will investigate your claim to secure compensation for your losses.
What would you like to know?
- What kinds of accidents happen on stairways, elevators, and escalators?
- What types of injuries result from these kinds of Charlotte accidents?
- What are North Carolina’s elevator and escalator inspection laws?
- How can a Charlotte premises liability attorney help?
- What compensation am I entitled to for my accident and injuries?
- Is there a premises liability injury attorney near me?
What kinds of accidents happen on stairways, elevators, and escalators?
Wobbly stairs present significant fall hazards, and faulty stairway railing could lead to a fall. Escalators and elevators have large moving parts that pose a threat to a person getting caught in between the parts and sustaining crush injuries or traumatic amputations. Many elevator injuries occur because of a door closing on a user, or even a person falling into an elevator shaft.
Common accidents include:
- Stairways. People often suffer slips, trips, and falls on stairways from surface defects. This means things like uneven risers, torn carpet, or loose tiles. Other stairway accidents occur from defective or lack of handrails. Over a million Americans are injured on stairs annually.
- Elevators. Like any other large machine, elevators are subject to malfunction and breakdown. This can include rapid drops, failure to line up with the floor, entrapment, and other dangerous situations. Consumer Watch reports approximately 27 people are killed in elevator accidents each year, mostly due to “caught in/between” injuries or falls into the elevator shaft.
- Escalators. Consumer Watch reports the most common types of escalator accidents include clothing “caught in/between” injuries, falls, and entrapment. “Caught in” injuries tend to happen more to children under the age of five. They also note that escalators manufactured before 2002 typically don’t meet more stringent safety standards.
Unsafe conditions on any stairway, elevator, or escalator can result in severe or catastrophic injury.
What types of injuries result from these kinds of Charlotte accidents?
When a person trips and falls or encounters another hazard on a stairway, elevator, or escalator, the injuries are often relatively minor. However, some stairway, elevator, and escalator falls can result in serious or catastrophic injuries. This can include:
- Broken arms or legs
- Traumatic amputation injuries
- Broken wrists or ankles
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck or back injuries
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Significant muscle sprains or ligament damage
The premises liability lawyers at Price, Petho & Associates know that these incidents can lead to wrongful death as well. Residents and visitors who regularly use stairways, elevators, and escalators have a right to expect them to be safe and properly maintained. When property owners and managers fail to do so, and you or a loved one suffer harm, our attorneys are prepared to launch an investigation into the incident to find out exactly what happened and why.
What are North Carolina’s elevator and escalator inspection laws?
The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) is responsible for elevator and escalator safety and inspections. They provide a variety of guidelines, which include inspecting the inside of the car, the machine room, the top of the car, the outside hoistway, and the elevator pit. For escalators, inspection must include an internal and external inspection.
Property owners have a duty to ensure that all areas of their premises are regularly inspected and maintained. State law dictates that elevators and escalators are regularly inspected. Inspectors from the NCDOL conduct these inspections to ensure proper installation and safe operation of elevators, escalators, moving walks, dumbwaiters, and workman’s hoists.
You may also report your own safety concerns with a public elevator or escalator directly to the NCDOL.
How can a Charlotte premises liability attorney help?
After experiencing serious injuries in one of these types of accidents, you are likely facing significant medical bills and recovery time. When your injuries were not your fault, the attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates work to determine liability and secure compensation for your losses. Whether we do so through negotiation or taking the negligent party to court, we advocate for your best interests throughout the entire process.
Our legal team helps your case by:
- Launching a full investigation into your accident to show evidence of fault. As with any premises liability case, we show that the property owner was aware of the problem but failed to take reasonable measures to repair or mitigate the hazard and you suffered injury as a result.
- Determining all liable parties, which can include property owners, managers, maintenance crews, inspectors, manufacturers, and other individuals and companies.
- Collecting and analyzing your medical records, witness testimony, and employment history to show the severity of your injuries, and how they are affecting your personal and professional life. This is how we can determine the true extent of your losses.
- Handling all paperwork, documentation, and contact with insurance companies so you can focus on recovering from your injuries while we take care of the legal issues related to your case.
We also investigate whether a stairway, elevator, or escalator was up to state and local building codes. Lapses in inspection or code violations go a long way in building a strong case on your behalf. Our Charlotte attorneys hold all responsible parties accountable.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.
What compensation am I entitled to for my accident and injuries?
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a stairway, elevator, or escalator accident, it’s crucial to speak to an attorney today. At Price, Petho & Associates, we dedicate ourselves to holding negligent property owners and operators responsible for their actions. We thoroughly investigate your case to secure the compensation you need, which can include:
- Full coverage of your medical expenses caused by the accident
- Lost income if you cannot work while you recover
- Any household out-of-pocket costs you incur
- Mental anguish and emotional distress damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
When you need a Charlotte personal injury attorney after a stairway, elevator, or escalator accident, you can contact us for a free consultation about your claim.
Is there a premises liability attorney near me?
Price, Petho & Associates is located at 1420 Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte. We also maintain offices in Rockingham and Rutherfordton for your convenience. If you are too injured to come to us, we make home and hospital visits as well.
Knowledgeable Charlotte stairway, elevator, or escalator accident lawyers
Defective, dangerous, or hazardous stairs, escalators, and elevators can cause severe injuries. When property owners fail to maintain or inspect these necessary features on their premises and you suffer harm, the attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates can help hold them responsible. Since 1979, our law firm has been helping the people of Charlotte recover millions of dollars in personal injury settlements and awards, and we want to help you, too. To schedule a free consultation, call 704-372-2160 today or fill out our contact form. Serving Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.