Michigan Elevator and Escalator Accident Lawyer

If you were injured on an escalator or elevator, a Michigan escalator and elevator lawyer can help you seek justice. These injuries result in very serious and permanent harm. Any person injured due to a defective and dangerous condition on a property can sue the owner and demand a settlement.

A top-rated attorney at the Buckfire Law Firm will investigate your claim and calculate the extent of your losses. We do not charge any upfront fees and only earn a fee if you win a settlement. And, if your case is unsuccessful for any reason you owe us nothing.

What are Common Types of Elevator and Escalator Accidents?
What are Common Elevator and Escalator Accident Injuries?
Can I Sue if I was Injured on a Michigan Elevator or Escalator?
Seeking Legal Help From a Michigan Elevator or Escalator Injury Attorney

Types of Elevator and Escalator Accidents

While technology has become more reliable over time, escalators and elevators can still break down and malfunction. Many times, when this happens, it is just an inconvenience. However, sometimes it leads to severe injuries or even death. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were more than 19,000 emergency department-treated injuries associated with elevators between 2020 and 2021.

The most common types of elevator and escalator accidents occur due to:

Falls into shafts when elevator doors are open.
Elevator doors closing
When an elevator car is mid-leveled, causing someone to trip as they enter or exit.
Being trapped at the bottom of an elevator shaft.
The escalator’s moving steps stop suddenly, causing riders to fall backward.
Escalator steps stop short of the ground floor, causing a rider to make an unexpected large step to the ground.

What Are Common Elevator and Escalator Injuries?

The most common types of elevator and escalator injuries include:

Fractures or broken bones
Traumatic brain injuries
Soft tissue injuries
Lower extremity injuries, such as dislocations
Head and neck injuries
Death

What To Do After an Elevator or Escalator Injury

After an elevator or escalator accident, it is crucial to take immediate action to preserve your ability to file a claim and maximize your potential compensation. Many property owners may quickly repair the hazard that caused your injury, making it difficult to prove negligence later.

Here’s what you should do immediately after your elevator or escalator incident:

Seek Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. Not only does this ensure your health is protected, but it also creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident, which can be crucial in your legal case. Tell the EMS technicians and doctors exactly what caused your injury, as they often include this type of information in your medical records.
Take Photographs and Video of the Scene: This is very important because the dangerous condition will be repaired shortly after your incident. Photos are the best way to prove that an elevator or escalator hazard existed and caused your injury. If you are too injured to do it yourself, be sure to ask a friend or even an eyewitness to do it for you.
Fill Out an Incident Report: Notify the property owner or manager immediately and file an incident report. Incident reports provide written documentation of the incident and are sent to the liability insurance company for the property. Be sure to include all important facts, including what caused your injury and the pain you felt after the fall. If possible, also take a photograph of your completed report so the business cannot later claim that you did not file one or that the incident never happened.
Note Surveillance Cameras: It’s helpful to be aware of any surveillance cameras or Ring doorbells nearby that may have captured the incident. These video cameras often show exactly how the injury occurred and the extent of the hazardous conditions. Camera footage can become strong evidence in your legal case and provide great proof of negligence and liability.
Gather Witness Information: Get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses. Eyewitnesses are needed later if the case goes to court and provides evidence to help win your case.
Consult a Michigan Escalator & Elevator Injury Lawyer: Contact an escalator and elevator injury lawyer at Buckfire Law as soon as possible. We will gather additional evidence, such as video surveillance, and demand copies before they are erased after 30 days. We also hire private investigators and other experts to help prove your case.

Who Can I Sue for An Escalator or Elevator Accident?

When a serious injury occurs in an elevator or an escalator, there is a good chance that someone carries liability. On private property, for example, this at-fault party is usually the owner of the structure or a caretaker. On other properties, multiple parties may be at fault—such as the owner of a mall or its management company, or the manufacturers of an escalator or its individual parts.

Many times, the property owner was negligent for not complying with state and local building codes and ordinances. A violation of these codes is a strong basis for a case and is used to prove liability. Our attorneys investigate all potential legal basis for holding the negligent person or business accountable for the injuries.

If the plaintiff was not trespassing and was legally allowed to be on the property, they have a legal right to seek compensation for their injuries. Of course, if they did not heed warning signs or stay within designated areas and were injured, they may not have as strong of a case. If it can be demonstrated that a property owner should have been aware of a dangerous condition on an elevator or escalator, there is still likely to be grounds for a claim with the help of an experienced Michigan lawyer.

How Much are Michigan Escalator and Elevator Injury Settlements?

The amount of a settlement depends on several factors. First, how solid is the liability claim. Second, what is the nature and extent of the injuries and medical treatment. And third, how much are the medical bills, lost wages, and other economic harms.

You are entitled to money compensation for your physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, and economic losses. Our attorneys will work hard to win you the maximum settlement for your case.

For cases involving an accidental death, the family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases bring settlements to the family for the loss of the loved one and can be quite significant.

Examples of Michigan Escalator and Elevator Settlements

Some examples of past settlement amounts in escalator and elevator accidents are:

$10,000,000 settlement involving a child’s hand getting caught between the step and the side of the escalator.
$8,000,000 settlement after elevator doors opened without an elevator present, causing a man to fall eight feet into the elevator shaft and suffer from a traumatic brain injury.
$1,200,000 settlement regarding a woman falling while exiting an elevator that failed to level properly at a parking garage.
$375,000 settlement after a woman’s luggage was caught on the side of the escalator, causing her to fall down the escalator.
$250,000 settlement after an elevator malfunctioned, causing the elevator to drop seven floors, resulting in severe injuries to the rider.

Seek Legal Help From a Michigan Escalator and Elevator Injury Attorney

If you were injured due to a defective and dangerous elevator or escalator, you have the legal right to pursue a claim. You may qualify for a settlement to compensate you for pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.

We have great experience with these types of claims and will begin working on your case immediately. We charge no legal fees unless you win a settlement.

Reach out to a Michigan escalator and elevator injury attorney today to start your case.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY:

Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D., Lead Trial Attorney at Buckfire Law
Lawrence J. Buckfire, J.D. has over 30 years of experience specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and attended Wayne State University School of Law. Lawrence has been named a Super Lawyer, U.S. News Best Lawyer, and in The National Trial Lawyers-Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
Date of Review: June, 2025