When someone is at a supermarket or another type of store, a slip-and-fall accident can result in broken bones, ligament damage and other serious injuries. The risk is magnified greatly if the person who falls is riding on an escalator or a different form of active machinery. Moving parts could make it more difficult to get up, and might leave the victim trapped.

Attorneys have filed a lawsuit alleging that a Bellaire H-E-B location and the maker of its escalator contributed to an incident where a three-year-old girl lost four fingers after falling. The complaint alleges that the toddler was coming down the escalator when she lost her balance and sat down on the moving steps. Allegedly, there was a large gap between the escalator steps and the side panel, known as the skirt wall. This distance made it possible for the girl’s right hand to become trapped as the escalator continued to operate, resulting in permanent disfigurement after she was finally freed.  

The complaint argues that the escalator was not maintained in accordance with safety standards and faults both the grocery chain and escalator outfitter TK Elevator Corporation for failing to ensure the machinery’s safety features were operational. Skirt safety switches, if functional, should have automatically halted the escalator when the child’s hand was trapped, potentially preventing the accident, or mitigating the resulting harm. 

Incidents such as this highlight the severe danger associated with slip and falls near machinery with exposed moving parts. Escalators, specifically, are designed for convenience but can become hazardous when they are poorly maintained or when safety systems fail. Children are at heightened risk due to their size and unpredictable movements, which can lead to life-changing damage when proper care is not used.

To prevent tragic incidents, appropriate maintenance protocols and rapid response mechanisms are crucial for all machines that poses potential risks when someone loses their footing. Regular inspections, adherence to stringent safety guidelines and regular maintenance schedules can mitigate these hazards. Ensuring that safety features like automatic shutoff switches are functional should be part of routine reviews. When there are lapses, the responsible individuals and businesses could be liable for resulting harm. 

Hope & Causey, P.C. represents clients Montgomery County, San Antonio, Houston and the surrounding areas in slip-and-fall actions, as well as other types of personal injury matters. For a free consultation, please call 936-441-4673 or contact us online. Our office is in Conroe.