Escalator And Lift Accident Claims

An escalator or lift accident can seriously disrupt everyday life, particularly when your injuries affect your recovery or ability to work. You can make an escalator and lift accident claim if a failure to keep the equipment reasonably safe caused your injuries. At Advice, our specialist solicitors pursue eligible escalator and lift accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis, with no solicitor service fees to pay upfront. We have supported thousands of clients and secured more than £100 million in compensation.

The cause of a lift or escalator accident is not always obvious. A sudden stop may indicate a mechanical problem, while poorly maintained escalator stairs can create a trip hazard. Establishing responsibility may require a closer look at who controlled the equipment and was responsible for its safety. Our solicitors can examine relevant records to understand how the lift or escalator was maintained and whether a safety problem contributed to the accident. You do not have to identify the responsible organisation or interpret technical maintenance information yourself.

We will consider how the accident has affected you personally. Medical evidence can establish the nature and severity of your injuries, while the effect on your work or recovery may influence the compensation sought. This allows us to build a compensation claim around the consequences you have experienced.

From this point, our solicitors will manage your personal injury case and any exchanges with the responsible organisation, giving you space to focus on your recovery. Contact Advice today to tell us what happened, and we can assess whether you have grounds to make an escalator and lift accident claim.

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Jump To A Section

1. Can I Make A Claim After An Escalator Or Lift Accident?
2. Who May Be Liable For An Escalator Or Lift Injury?
3. Common Escalator And Lift Accident Examples
4. What Injuries Can Escalator And Lift Accidents Cause?
5. How Much Compensation Could I Claim For An Escalator Or Lift Accident?
6. What Is The Process For Making An Escalator And Lift Accident Claim?
7. Claim Compensation For An Escalator And Lift Accident With Advice
8. More Information

Can I Make A Claim After An Escalator Or Lift Accident?

Yes, you can make a claim after an escalator or lift accident if the person or organisation responsible for the equipment failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe and this caused injury. Escalator and lift accident claims may arise where poor maintenance allowed a dangerous fault to develop or safety measures were not in place. Advice’s specialist solicitors can assess whether you have a valid claim and identify who may be responsible.

Being injured does not automatically mean someone was at fault. During your assessment, our solicitors will consider:

• How the accident happened. We will assess what caused the accident and whether it points to an avoidable safety problem, such as sudden stops in a passenger lift or a defect affecting the escalator stairs.
• Who was responsible. We will establish who controlled the lift or escalator and was responsible for keeping it safe. Maintenance records may help clarify responsibility for inspecting or repairing the equipment.
• What evidence supports your claim. CCTV footage or an incident report can help establish what happened, while medical records can show the physical injury caused and its effect on your recovery. If witnesses saw the accident, their contact details may help us gather evidence about the circumstances.
• How the injury has affected you. We will consider the consequences of your lift or escalator injuries, including whether you have been unable to work or become anxious about using similar equipment.

You do not need to determine who was at fault yourself. If you are unsure whether a problem with the equipment or its maintenance caused your accident, contact Advice. We can assess whether you have grounds to begin the injury claims process and pursue a compensation claim.

Who May Be Liable For An Escalator Or Lift Injury?

Liability for an escalator or lift injury may rest with the person or organisation responsible for keeping the premises or equipment reasonably safe. This could be an occupier, employer or maintenance company. They may be liable if they failed to meet their safety responsibilities and this caused the accident and your injuries.

The Owner Or Occupier Of The Premises

A property owner or occupier may be liable if they failed to take reasonable care to ensure lawful visitors were reasonably safe under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. For example, a shopping centre could face a public liability claim if customers used a defective escalator after a safety issue with the escalator had been reported, but they still allowed customers to use it.

Warning signs will not necessarily remove liability and must be sufficient to make visitors reasonably safe in the circumstances.

An Employer

An employer may be liable if reasonable precautions were not taken to protect an employee using a lift or escalator. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to take reasonably practicable steps to protect employees.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 contain safety requirements for workplace escalators, while passenger lifts provided for workers may be subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

A Lift Or Escalator Maintenance Company

A maintenance company may be responsible if poor maintenance or inadequate repairs left the equipment unsafe. This could include failing to identify mechanical failures or properly repair a door malfunction before an accident occurred.

Responsibility may be shared if the contractor failed to address a defect while the occupier allowed the equipment to remain in use.

A Manufacturer Or Installer

A manufacturer or installer may be responsible if faulty equipment caused the injury. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 can impose liability for injuries caused by defective products.

The Lifts Regulations 2016 also impose safety requirements on manufacturers and installers of passenger lifts.

A Landlord Or Managing Agent

A landlord or managing agent may be responsible for a lift accident if they retained maintenance or repair responsibilities. The Defective Premises Act 1972 may also apply to injuries caused by defects that fall within a landlord’s repairing obligations.

Where several organisations were involved, our solicitors can establish how responsibility was divided and which failings contributed to the accident. Contact us if you are unsure which organisation may be liable for your escalator or lift injury.

Common Escalator And Lift Accident Examples

Lift and escalator accidents happen in many different ways, from passengers becoming trapped by closing doors to faults affecting moving escalator parts. The examples below show how equipment problems and unsafe conditions can result in personal injury claims, including lift injury claims and claims involving serious escalator injuries.

• At a shopping centre, your foot becomes trapped where the escalator stairs meet the landing because damaged escalator teeth fail to operate safely, leaving you with broken bones in your foot and a serious ankle injury.
• You suffer severe shoulder injuries inside a hotel lift when mechanical failures cause the lift car to stop suddenly, throwing you against the interior wall.
• While entering a passenger lift at an office, closing doors trap your arm because the door mechanism fails to detect you, leaving you with a crushed arm and nerve damage.
• At a train station, you fall down a moving escalator and suffer a head injury after a damaged handrail gives way while you are holding it, leaving you with lasting dizziness and psychological trauma.

These examples are not exhaustive, and the circumstances behind all escalator and lift accident claims will differ. Contact our team if you have been injured in circumstances like these, and our solicitors can assess whether a problem with the lift or escalator contributed to what happened.

What Injuries Can Escalator And Lift Accidents Cause?

Escalator and lift accidents can cause injuries ranging from soft tissue damage to serious injuries affecting mobility and the ability to work. Common injuries include:

• Head injuries. Falls or impacts inside a lift car can cause concussion or more serious brain injuries.
• Broken bones. Falls and trapping accidents can cause fractures that require surgery or rehabilitation.
• Back and neck injuries. Sudden stops or falls can cause a back or neck injury, including soft tissue injuries that restrict movement.
• Crush and trapping injuries. Closing doors or escalator components can trap limbs, causing nerve damage and other severe injuries.
• Psychological injuries. A frightening accident can cause anxiety, psychological trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Permanent injuries. Serious accidents can cause permanent disability or nerve damage affecting mobility and future care needs.

Our solicitors can arrange independent medical evidence to establish the extent of your injuries, expected recovery and any lasting symptoms. This helps us understand their full impact when progressing your escalator and lift accident claim. Contact us today to discuss your injuries and the support available.

How Much Compensation Could I Claim For An Escalator Or Lift Accident?

How much compensation you could claim for an escalator or lift accident will depend on the severity of your injuries, their effect on your life and any financial losses caused by them. Escalator and lift accident claims are valued individually, so two people with similar injuries may receive different compensation awards where their recovery or financial circumstances differ.

Compensation for the injury itself is known as general damages. This reflects your pain and suffering, including the effect of lasting symptoms or a permanent disability. Medical evidence can establish your prognosis, which our solicitors consider alongside the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). These provide guideline compensation brackets for different types and severities of injury.

Your compensation claim may also include special damages for financial losses caused by your injuries. For example, a serious lift injury that prevents you from returning to work may result in lost earnings, while lasting mobility problems may leave you needing rehabilitation or future care.

Rather than relying on a compensation guideline alone, our solicitors will bring together the medical evidence and supported financial losses to calculate the value of your claim. This ensures the compensation sought reflects your individual injuries and the losses they have caused.

In the tbale below, we have used some of the figures from the JCG for various injuries, aside from the first entry.

Compensation Amounts

• Various Very Severe Injuries + Financial Losses – up to £1,000,000+. Compensation awarded for a number of severe injuries and financial losses such as lost income, private medical expenses and domestic support costs.
• Very Severe Brain or Head Injury – £372,570 to £533,720. Awards for injuries that cause double incontinence, a need for full-time nursing care and a reduction in the evidence of meaningful response to environment.
• Moderately Severe Brain or Head Injury – £289,420 to £372,570. The injured person will be very severely disabled, with a large dependence on others and a need for constant care.
• Severe (i) Back Injuries – £120,340 to £212,670. Compensation awarded for the most serious back injuries, including damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots.
• Severe (ii) Back Injuries – £97,980 to £116,820. Cases including root damage causing associated loss of sensation, impaired mobility and sexual difficulties.
• Severe Psychiatric Damage – £72,440 to £152,900. The injured person’s ability to cope with their life, education and work will be taken into consideration.
• Total or Effective Loss of One Hand – £127,050 to £144,860. This bracket applies where a hand has been crushed and then surgically amputated.
• Severe (ii) Very Serious Leg Injuries – £72,440 to £117,210. Injuries resulting in permanent mobility problems, such as multiple fractures which have taken years to heal.
• Severe (iii) Neck Injuries – £60,080 to £73,970. Injuries causing dislocations or fractures or severe soft tissue damage that leads to permanent disability.
• Severe Shoulder Injury – £25,370 to £63,450. Often associated with neck injuries and damage to the brachial plexus.

Can Escalator And Lift Accident Claims Include Special Damages?

Yes, an escalator and lift accident claim can include special damages to compensate you for financial losses you have suffered because of your injuries, provided those losses can be evidenced and linked to the accident. Advice’s solicitors will identify the financial impact of your injuries, gather evidence to support each loss and calculate how much should be included within your claim.

Depending on how your injuries have affected you, our solicitors may assess:

• The income you have lost. A serious fall on an escalator or trapping injury in a lift could prevent you from working during your recovery. Lost earnings can be calculated using payslips and employment records. If your ability to work is permanently affected, we can also assess your future loss of earnings.
• The cost of treatment and rehabilitation. Injuries such as fractures or nerve damage may require physiotherapy or other rehabilitation. Our solicitors can use invoices alongside medical evidence to show why this treatment was necessary and calculate the reasonable costs resulting from your injuries.
• The cost of additional support. More serious lift or escalator injuries may affect your mobility or independence, leaving you needing care at home or help with everyday activities. We can assess the support you require and use evidence of your prognosis to calculate both current and future costs.

Accurate evidence is important because the more clearly our solicitors can demonstrate the financial consequences of your accident, the more accurately they can value this part of your claim. You do not need to gather everything yourself. Advice’s solicitors can explain what evidence is required and ensure supported past and future losses are considered when calculating your compensation.

What Is The Process For Making An Escalator And Lift Accident Claim?

The process for making an escalator and lift accident claim involves getting your injuries assessed, gathering evidence to establish what happened and pursuing compensation from the party responsible for the accident. Advice’s solicitors can guide you through each stage and investigate whether a failure to keep the lift or escalator reasonably safe caused your injuries.

1. Receive Medical Attention

Seek appropriate medical attention following an escalator or lift accident. Treatment protects your health and creates medical records documenting the injuries you sustained.

If we take on your claim, our solicitors can also arrange independent medical evidence to establish the severity of your injuries, your expected recovery and whether you are likely to experience lasting symptoms.

2. Gather Evidence From The Accident

Evidence can help establish how the accident occurred and who may have been responsible. Report the accident where possible and keep any photographs or other information you have obtained.

Our solicitors can then gather evidence on your behalf. For an escalator or lift accident, this could involve obtaining CCTV footage or examining maintenance records to determine whether a safety failure contributed to your injuries.

3. Establish Who Was Responsible

Our solicitors will investigate who was responsible for keeping the lift or escalator safe and whether they failed to meet that responsibility. This is particularly important where the premises and equipment were controlled or maintained by different organisations.

We can use the available evidence to establish liability and identify the party against whom your claim should be made.

4. Assess Your Injuries And Financial Losses

Once the impact of your injuries is understood, our solicitors can calculate how much compensation should be sought. We will assess your medical evidence alongside any financial losses caused by the accident so that both the immediate and longer-term consequences are considered.

5. Submit And Negotiate Your Claim

Our solicitors can present the claim to the responsible party or their insurer and manage communications on your behalf. If liability is accepted, we can negotiate to secure an appropriate settlement based on the evidence supporting your injuries and losses.

Escalator and lift accident claims are subject to time limits, so it is important to seek advice promptly. Contact Advice and our solicitors can assess your case, establish the applicable deadline and guide you through the claims process.

Claim Compensation For An Escalator And Lift Accident With Advice

Escalator and lift accident claims can involve technical evidence, complex maintenance responsibilities and more than one potentially responsible organisation. Advice’s specialist solicitors will investigate these issues, build an evidence-based claim around your injuries and financial losses, and handle discussions with the responsible party or its insurer on your behalf.

Why Choose Advice For Escalator And Lift Accident Claims

Choosing Advice for escalator and lift accident claims means your case will be handled by solicitors who understand how equipment faults, maintenance failures and overlapping responsibilities can affect these personal injury claims. We will focus on what caused your particular accident and the consequences it has had for you.

Our solicitors will:

• Investigate technical and maintenance issues to establish why the accident happened, using relevant records to determine whether poor maintenance, mechanical failures or another safety problem contributed to your injuries.
• Resolve questions about responsibility by examining who controlled, maintained or repaired the lift or escalator, including where responsibility may be divided between an occupier and a specialist maintenance company.
• Understand the full impact of your injuries by arranging an independent medical assessment, where necessary, to establish your prognosis and ensure any lasting effects are properly reflected when your claim is valued.
• Build a complete valuation of your claim by assessing your injuries alongside supported financial losses, such as lost earnings, rehabilitation costs and future care, before negotiating with the responsible party or its insurer.

No Win No Fee Escalator And Lift Accident Claims With Advice

Our solicitors at Advice handle eligible escalator and lift accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

This type of agreement means you can pursue compensation without paying your solicitor’s service fees upfront or while your claim is ongoing. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay your solicitor’s fees for the work covered by the agreement.

If your claim succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from your compensation. This is a percentage that is subject to a legal cap and will be explained and agreed with you before your claim begins, so you understand how the arrangement works before deciding whether to proceed.

Contact Advice

If you have been injured because of a faulty lift or defective escalator, you do not need to work out who was responsible before seeking legal advice. Contact Advice today, and our solicitors can assess what happened, explain whether you have grounds to claim compensation and guide you through the next steps.

• Call us on 0161 509 2856
• Contact us online
• Speak to an advisor using our live chat

More Information

Read our other guides about:

• How long does a hearing loss claim take?
• Advice on claiming for a burn injury
• Guidance on claiming compensation for a supermarket accident.

Helpful External Resources

• Information from the NHS on post-traumatic stress disorder
• Learn if you could claim Statutory Sick Pay, from GOV.UK
• Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive on thorough examination and testing of lifts

Thank you for reading our escalator and lift accident claims guide.