Common Reasons for Elevator Injuries: Slippery Surfaces

Chances are you’ve been somewhere where you’ve seen one of those yellow caution signs that say “slippery when wet” to warn people that the surface has just been cleaned and it might still be wet. Without these signs or some other warning, it can be hard for people to know that they need to proceed with caution.

All aspects of buildings get cleaned, including elevators and escalators. If you sustained an injury because an elevator or escalator had a slippery surface that you were not warned about, someone else may be responsible for your injuries. If this is the case, you may receive compensation for your injuries.

Common Injuries

Slip and fall accidents occur in public spaces all of the time. Sometimes, they do not cause injuries, but they certainly can. Common injuries associated with slip and fall accidents include:

• Back strains and other back issues
• Concussions and other head trauma issues
• Broken bones
• Scrapes, bruises, and cuts

Falls tend to be more serious for the elderly, people who are pregnant, people with disabilities, and people who are overweight. Some injuries may require surgery and/or long recovery processes.

Falls in elevators and escalators can have even more serious consequences. Slipping while trying to get in or out of an elevator can mean getting stuck in small gaps between the elevator car and the building. Falling in an enclosed space can also mean that you could injure someone else when you fall. Falling on an escalator could mean that you fall backwards and down the staircase, which could result in serious injury. If there are other people behind you on the escalator, you might injure them in the fall as well.

Determining Fault

Two major reasons why an elevator or escalator might be slippery are 1) it has recently been cleaned or 2) someone else recently spilled something on them like a drink. It is the responsibility of the owner to make sure that spills by passengers are cleaned up in a timely manner, that the device remains clean, and that people are adequately warned of sticky surfaces. If these things do not happen, someone else may be responsible for your injury.

However, if you choose to ignore a warning of a slippery surface and proceed recklessly, any subsequent injuries are likely your fault. This is probably what the other party will argue in court if you try to claim that they are at fault. You will have to prove that you were not warned about the slippery surface, and that resulted in your injury.

Proving that someone else is at fault for your injury can be a complex process. Even if you know that someone else is at fault, knowing it and providing evidence to prove it are two different things. If you need assistance with the process of gathering evidence and proving your case in court, contact my office. We can review your situation and help you establish a strong case. This can help you get a settlement offer or convince a judge that you deserve compensation. For more information, contact our office today!