TESTIMONIALS
I called Matt after several people recommended him. He was very kind and did a very good job on my son’s case. We are very thankful for the work he did. Most importantly, he was never hard to reach and answered every question we had while going through the process. Matt is the only attorney I will ever call in the future.
- Emily
My husband is a cyclist that did not fair well against an SUV recently. Matt and his team took phenomenal care of us, allowing us not to stress out (too much) about the little things. Matt and his team handled everything with professionalism. We know we made the right call.
- Jane
So glad I hired this firm after my rearend car accident. Matt embodies the skill set and values I was looking for. He treats every case like a mini war, and was a zealous advocate on my behalf. And he did so in the most competent and skillful manner. He listened, was empathetic and understood my legal and nonlegal problems.
- Jared
It was important to me to get the maximum money I could for my broken neck and arm. After getting jerked around for months by State Farm, I interviewed several firms and chose Mr. Wetherington. I’m glad I did. He forced the insurance company to pay twenty times their last offer to me.
- Veronica
It is an honor to share my experience with Mr. Wetherington. He was able to get answers about what happened in my son’s wreck that other attorney’s were not able to do. I am so thankful for the work that he did and he was very thorough in his explanation of why the vehicle had a “defect.”
- Anonymous
My case did not settle. The person that hit me only had minimal policy limits. Fortunately, I had my own insurance, which should have provided more money. My insurance company, Allstate, treated me like garbage. We had to sue them and go all the way to trial, which we won.
- Jane Doe
Matt Wetherington is the attorney who is suing the booting companies. We need to do everything we can as a community to help him succeed. God bless you, Mr. Wetherington!
- Michael
Georgia Escalator Injury Lawyer
Approximately 10,000 people are injured each year in escalator accidents, the majority from falls, according to the National Library of Medicine. Hand and foot injuries, including partial amputation or degloving injuries are the most common cases we handle.
Escalators have connected steps and risers made of metal that transport people up and down between floors using motorized power. At the end of each escalator, the steps appear to disappear into the floor. A metal plate, called a comb plate, covers the end and beginning of these steps. Injuries typically occur when parts of the victim’s body, clothing or packages get caught in parts of the escalator. This is called entrapment.
Typical escalator injuries include:
- Elderly passengers often slip and fall resulting in injury;
- Children can get their fingers entrapped in handrails;
- Feet and hands can get caught in the comb plate, resulting in entrapment;
- Hair, clothing, shoes and shoelaces become caught between the moving parts;
- Abruptly stopping, starting or shifting resulting in injury; and
- Sudden collapse or mechanical failure of the entire assembly.
Escalator entrapment injuries range from cut and bruises to dislocations and fractures. Due to the large and heavy moving metal parts, injuries can involve traumatic crushing injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), amputations, and death. Our firm primarily handles serious injuries involving escalators.
Maintenance of escalators so they do not cause injury or deaths is an important responsibility. If you or a loved one has been injured in an escalator accident, contact the Wetherington Law firm for a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.
Causes of Escalator Injuries
Since escalators are in constant motion, defects can cause serious injuries. Most escalator injuries are due to:
- Design defects
- Failure to warn that escalator is not working properly
- Failure to follow building codes
- Failure to follow escalator laws and regulations
- Overcapacity
- Failure to maintain and inspect the escalator
- Negligent repairs
- Panels incorrectly replaced after repair or maintenance
- Missing or loose screws
- Missing or broken steps
- Missing teeth from the escalator track
- The empty space between the steps and walls can create tripping hazards or result in feet being stuck in the gap
- General mechanical malfunctions
Compensation for an Escalator Accident
Serious escalator injuries can be very costly. There are many factors and expenses involved in determining damages (the monetary value) for your injury.
The types of damages you can be awarded include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain management
- Assistive devices
- Physical Therapy
- Lost wages/ Job loss
- Lost earning capacity
- Assisted living
- Home renovation
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Embarrassment
- Loss of quality of life
- Other injuries
For more information on how damages are determined in personal injury cases, see our Damages article. See our series of articles on personal injury law procedures if you are interested in learning more about this legal process.
Who is Responsible for Escalator Accidents?
Every accident is different. Determining responsibility for the accident depends on the individual circumstances of each case. In escalator accidents, the following types of individuals can be found to be responsible for these accidents:
- Building owners
- Escalator maintenance companies
- Escalator design companies
- Escalator manufacturing companies
It can be challenging for victims to locate enough information to determine the causes of escalator malfunctions leading to injury. It’s important to locate all the records related to the escalator for several years prior to the accident. These records include details about any other accidents, all maintenance reports and any information on recalls for parts. Georgia requires state inspections of escalators twice a year. These records usually provide an accurate history that can reveal defects, improper maintenance and other issues.
Hiring an Escalator Accident Injury Lawyer
Escalator accidents are typically due to another party’s negligence. Responsible parties can include property managers, property owners, the manufacturer or the person responsible for maintaining the escalator. Other types of escalator injury lawsuits include strict liability and failure to warn causes.
Personal injury law is complex. The only way to ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve is by hiring a lawyer to protect your rights.
Insurance company representatives are not your friends. Attempting to deal with an insurance company on your own often has disastrous results. Insurance companies hire skilled negotiators as adjusters who are very good at convincing you that they are on your side and are offering you fair compensation for your injury. This goes for both your own insurance company and the insurance company of the other party involved in your accident. Don’t fall for it.
Anything you say to an insurance company representative can be used against you later. Do not talk directly with the representatives of any insurance companies that may contact you.
Determining who is responsible for accidents is a complicated process. There are often intricate paper trails and complex legal principles involved. And, time is of the essence. Evidence can disappear and there are deadlines to meet in order to file a lawsuit.
The first step is to meet with an experienced escalator accident lawyer to discuss the facts of your case. They will help you determine the range of damages you could receive if your lawsuit is successful. Next, they will begin the process by putting their talented legal team to work. This team will:
- Investigate the details of your accident.
- Secure evidence by gathering police reports, ambulance reports, fire department reports, interviews with personnel on the scene, and photographs.
- Scrutinize medical records.
- Speak with medical experts to determine the seriousness of your injury and the extent of future medical costs.
- Hire accident experts to determine the cause of the accident and the responsible party.
- Negotiate with insurance company representatives.
Skilled legal assistance will determine the responsible party and pursue your compensation claim so you can focus on healing and moving forward in your life. We maintain the highest standards of care for our clients and do not confuse our clients with complicated legal jargon. Best of all, our representation does not cost you any out-of-pocket money. We only get paid if you receive compensation for your injury.
Call Wetherington Law Firm Now
The Wetherington Law Firm holds owners and manufacturers responsible for negligence and product defects. Moving on with your life after an injury is a challenging adjustment. Don’t be overwhelmed. With proper help and support, you can move forward. Life is different after an accident. The Wetherington Law Firm is here to help. We care about your complete recovery – physically and mentally. Our skilled team of escalator accident lawyers, paralegals, investigators and medical experts provide skilled and caring assistance. We are dedicating to achieving the best possible recoveries for our clients. We are here to help you through this traumatic experience, so you do not have to deal with additional stress and hassle during your recovery. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.