Have you been injured on an escalator? We're here to help you make an escalator accident claim
Escalators are part of everyday life for many people, and they can make a journey easier. They are used in a wide range of settings, including shopping centres, train stations, offices and hospitals, and they're usually safe to use. However, there are cases where accidents happen and people are hurt.
While most injuries that do occur are minor, such as small trips or bumps, sometimes incidents on escalators can cause more serious injuries that can have a lasting impact. If you've been in an escalator accident and it wasn't your fault, you could potentially be able to make a compensation claim.
At National Accident Law, we're personal injury claims specialists. Our team is skilled in handling injuries in public and understands that injuries caused by an escalator accident can affect everything from your mobility to your ability to work. We're here to support you through the claims process. If you decide to pursue your escalator accident claim, we could help you to get the settlement that you deserve.
Should you feel ready to discuss your case with us, you can speak to our team today. Call us direct on or request a call back and we'll call you at a time that's convenient for you. You don't have to deal with what happened on your own; we're here to help to put things right.
How do I know if I can make an escalator accident claim?
You could be in a position to make an escalator accident claim if:
- You suffered an injury on an escalator in the last three years.
- Another party owed you a duty of care. In the case of an escalator injury, this other party would usually be the owner or the occupier of the building in which the escalator is based. The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 sets out the duty of care that occupiers of a premise owe to visitors. If this duty of care is neglected and you suffer harm, you may be able to make a successful claim.
- The other party breached their duty of care by acting negligently. For example, there was no regular maintenance of the escalator or there were no signs to indicate that the escalator was wet and a potential slip hazard.
If you're thinking about making a claim for compensation and you want to know if you could make a successful claim, we can let you know if you could proceed with a claim.
What causes escalator accidents?
In the UK, most escalators are safe. As long as they are properly maintained, tested and checked, the risk of an accident occurring is low. If you've been injured, though, there can be a number of reasons why you were hurt in an escalator accident and each case is different.
Some common situations that can lead to an incident on an escalator include:
- Falls trips and slips due to wet or slippery stairs
- Wet and slippery areas near an escalator entrance or exit
- Broken or uneven surfaces
- The escalator stopping suddenly, causing a fall or bump
- The emergency stop button not working properly, which should be triggered when clothing or body parts get trapped in the escalator teeth or the sides of the escalator
- Unexpected escalator failures
- Overcrowding, which could lead to a fall
What are some common escalator injuries?
There are different injuries that can be the result of an incident on an escalator. These can range in severity and you could be compensated for any injury that you sustain in an escalator accident that wasn't your fault.
Common injuries caused by an escalator accident can range from small cuts and bruises to more severe injuries. These can include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Injuries to tendons, soft tissue and ligaments
- Head injuries, including concussion
- Finger amputations - either partial or total
- Back injuries
- Broken bones
In addition to physical injuries, there's the impact on your mental wellbeing to take into consideration. Those who have been involved in an escalator accident could suffer from anxiety and PTSD as a result of what happened.
While some of the injuries can be short-term, there are some that could have a lasting effect on your health. It may be that the escalator accident caused an ongoing foot injury or that you experience frequent back pain that affects your daily life.
There's the risk that an injury sustained on an escalator could affect you for life or even force changes to your lifestyle, causing you to have to attend medical appointments and potentially mean that you cannot go to work. The amount of compensation that you are awarded will be based on what happened, including the extent of your injuries and how lasting the impact of your accident has been on you and your life.
If you're injured after an escalator accident and it wasn't your fault, you can speak to our team when you feel like you're ready to seek compensation. We'll take you through how to make a claim.
Meet the team
Adam Nabozny
Managing Director of National Accident Law
An experienced business leader and qualified solicitor, Adam runs National Accident Law and has designed our business to be different.
View profileMeet the teamHow much compensation can I claim after an escalator accident?
If you've been injured after an accident on an escalator, it's only right that you seek compensation.
For escalator accident claims, the amount of compensation awarded depends on certain factors. These are split into two categories:
- General damages - These are used to compensate for your pain and suffering.
- Special damages - These depend on your circumstances but include things like lost earnings, loss of income, changes to your ability to work and travel costs. For instance, if you're unable to work or not entitled to full sick pay while you're recovering from your injuries, the amount of compensation you receive will factor this in.
While it's hard to say exactly how much you could get without knowing the circumstances of your accident, an estimated amount that you could achieve if your claim is successful can be found using our compensation calculator.
During an initial free, no-obligation consultation, oiur teamwill listen to you and ask questions about your accident. This will determine the circumstances and severity of your injuries, along with any other relevant information thatwe need.
Ourescalator accident solicitors are skilled in handling cases like yours and understandwhat you've been through.They understand that each case is unique and will work hard to establish the circumstances that led to your injuries.To make a claim after your escalator accident, call us on or request a call back at a time tosuit you. We're here to help.
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How can escalator accident claims solicitors help?
At National Accident Law, we know how to steer clients through their escalator accident claims. We can't change what's happened to you but, if you've suffered from an accident that wasn't your fault, we can help you to get the compensation that you deserve to get your life back on track.
To make a claim, you can contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team will listen carefully to you and advise on whether you could claim. Then, it's up to you whether you want to proceed.
Frequently asked questions...
If you were injured as a contractor or self-employed worker on a job, and it was not your fault, you could still make a claim for compensation. Self-employed contractors hired by a third-party business have the same health and safety protections as employees. Many sectors employ contractors. It's a common practice in areas like construction, financial services, retail, healthcare and information technology.
If you have been injured in the last three years and it wasn't your fault, it is highly likely that you are eligible to make a compensation claim.
There are some cases where the eligibility criteria may differ. If you are unsure whether you have a claim, contact our friendly legal team today.
Yes, there is a time limit for making an injury claim. Under most circumstances, you will have three years from the date of the accident to make a compensation claim.
There are a few exceptions to the three-year time limit. You personal injury lawyer will advise you on these if they apply to your case.
Typical exceptions include:
- If you were injured as a child, you will have three years to claim from your 18th birthday. However, if a parent or legal guardian has claimed for you, you will not be able to claim for the same accident of our personal injury solicitors about your case to determine your eligibility to claim.
- There's no upper time limit if you're claiming for someone who, for whatever reason, lacks the mental ability to make a dental negligence claim themselves.
Good quality, pin-sharp ones please - and the more the better! Quality photographic evidence is a really important way of illustrating the cause of your accident and the injuries you have sustained. The pictures will then form a key part of the evidence we present should we take your claim forward. Generally speaking, we'll need the following photographic evidence from you:
- Images of your injuries (including close-ups, particularly for facial wounds), spread over a few days if possible so we can see how you're healing.
- The general location and exact spot where the accident happened.
- The defect or hazard that caused the accident if it was a trip, slip or fall (for example, a broken kerb, raised pavement or poor lighting).
- The road layout (and any defects) if it was a road traffic accident for a driver, motorcycle/moped rider, passenger or pedestrian.
Getting the pictures to us is easy. When you've opened MyAccount - our secure online area for all your claim documentation - you'll find detailed photography guidelines. After you've taken the pictures, you simply upload them for us to view and check.
Speak to our escalator accident claim solicitors
Following your accident, claiming compensation might be the last thing on your mind but it's important to seek legal advice so that you can establish if you can make a claim.
Making an escalator accident claim can help to compensate you for the harm that you've endured as a result of the building owner's neglect in their duty of care to those who use the escalators. Make a claim online or get in touch on for a free, no-obligation consultation. We're here to help you to put things right.