Injuries from Escalator Accidents in Illinois Buildings

 Posted on September 08, 2025 in Slip & Fall

If you were injured in an escalator accident, you may be facing serious medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term recovery. These cases can be complicated because multiple parties may share liability. Property owners, maintenance companies, and equipment makers might have all played a role in the accident.

Escalator injury claims often lead to large settlements because injuries tend to be so severe. Insurance companies know the stakes are high in these cases. Without a good lawyer, victims risk being pressured into low settlements that do not reflect the true cost of their injuries. To protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve, contact a Cook County, IL personal injury attorney today.

Why Are Escalator Accidents So Serious?

While slip and fall accidents are common premises liability claims, escalator accidents often lead to far more severe injuries for several reasons:

Moving Parts

Escalators are powerful machines with constantly moving steps, gears, and handrails. If someone trips or loses balance, the motion of the escalator can worsen the fall, dragging or pinning them before they can get up and move to safety.

Height and Hard Surfaces

Falls on escalators can happen either down the moving steps or over the side. The steps are made of hard metal with sharp ridges, and the surrounding environment is often concrete, tile, or steel. This increases the chance of fractures, head injuries, or spinal trauma.

Entrapment Risks

Shoelaces, clothing, or even body parts like fingers or toes can become caught in the machinery at the comb plate (where the steps meet the landing) or along the sides. Entrapment accidents can cause crush injuries, amputations, or deep lacerations.

Surrounding Crowds

Escalators are often in crowded locations like malls, airports, sports arenas, and train stations. When one person falls, the moving mechanism and momentum of others can cause a chain reaction, leading to multiple injuries.

Vulnerable Populations

Children and elderly adults are especially at risk. Kids may not understand how to use escalators properly, while older adults may struggle with balance. Both groups are more prone to serious harm if something goes wrong.

Who Is Liable for an Escalator Injury?

One reason these cases are complex is that several different parties may share responsibility. In Illinois, escalators are regulated under the Elevator Safety and Regulation Act, 225 ILCS 312, which requires regular inspections, proper maintenance, and safety standards to protect the public. Property owners and managers, maintenance companies, and escalator manufacturers all have a legal duty to keep escalators safe. If they do not, they can be held accountable for accidents.

Since multiple parties are often involved, multiple insurance companies may also be part of the process. This can increase the potential compensation available, but could also mean insurers will fight harder to reduce or deny claims.

Escalator injury claims require more than just proving an accident happened. They involve getting inspection records, reviewing maintenance logs, consulting safety experts, and holding large corporations accountable. An attorney who fights for clients’ rights against powerful insurance companies can make the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Cook County, IL Escalator Injury Attorney

Escalator accidents can change your life in an instant. A Chicago, IL personal injury lawyer at Adler Law Offices, LTD can investigate your case, find all responsible parties, and pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Call 312-236-2700 today to schedule your free consultation so we can seek the best outcome for you.