San Antonio Escalator Accident Lawyers Fighting for Victim Rights
When Escalators Malfunction, Passengers Pay the Price
Escalators are a common feature in malls, office buildings, hotels, airports, and transit hubs throughout Texas. But when these machines malfunction or are poorly maintained, they can cause devastating injuries. Sudden stops, misaligned steps, and entrapment hazards can lead to severe falls, broken bones, or worse.
Texas property owners have a duty to keep escalators safe for public use. When they fail to maintain, inspect, or repair these machines, innocent people get hurt. If you or a loved one was injured in an escalator accident in San Antonio, the surrounding area, or anywhere in Texas, Wyatt Law Firm can help. With over 40 years of experience and more than $1 billion recovered for accident victims, we are dedicated to holding negligent property owners, maintenance companies, and escalator manufacturers accountable. Our San Antonio escalator injury lawyers are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Escalator Accidents in Texas
Escalators must be properly maintained to prevent accidents, but when safety protocols are ignored, passengers are at risk. Some of the most common causes of escalator injuries include:
- Sudden Stops or Jerking Motions. If an escalator’s motor or braking system malfunctions, riders can be thrown off balance, leading to falls.
Loose or Broken Steps. Worn or damaged escalator steps create tripping hazards that can cause serious injuries.
Entrapment Hazards. Shoelaces, clothing, and even body parts can get caught between steps or in side panels, leading to severe lacerations or amputations.
Defective Handrails. If handrails stop moving or detach unexpectedly, passengers may lose their balance and fall.
Electrical Malfunctions. Wiring issues, power surges, or control failures can cause escalators to stop abruptly or reverse direction.
Poor Maintenance and Inspections. Property owners and maintenance companies are responsible for ensuring escalators meet safety standards. Failing to inspect or repair issues can result in preventable accidents.
Escalators have built-in safety mechanisms designed to prevent accidents, but these systems can fail due to poor maintenance, mechanical defects, or improper use. That’s why negligence is often a factor in these personal injury accidents. Every escalator is different, but some common safety features intended to prevent accidents include:
- Emergency Stop Buttons. Located at the top and bottom landings, these allow passengers or operators to stop the escalator immediately in an emergency.
Skirt Brushes and Deflectors. Installed along the sides to prevent clothing, shoes, or body parts from getting caught between the steps and the escalator skirt.
Comb Plate Safety Switches. Detect objects lodged between the steps and the comb plate at landings, triggering an automatic shutdown.
Auto-Reverse Mechanisms. In some escalators, if a jam or malfunction occurs, the system can reverse to help free trapped objects or passengers.
If an escalator is not properly inspected and maintained, even built-in safety features may not function as intended. When property owners or maintenance companies fail to ensure escalator safety, they may be held liable for injuries caused by a malfunction.
Escalator Accident Hotspots in San Antonio
San Antonio is home to numerous high-traffic locations with escalators, including:
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT). Thousands of travelers use escalators daily, increasing wear and tear.
The Shops at La Cantera & North Star Mall. Heavy foot traffic makes escalator maintenance critical, but issues like step misalignment and sudden stops still occur
Rivercenter Mall & Downtown San Antonio. Tourists and shoppers rely on escalators in the city’s busiest areas, where maintenance delays can lead to hazards.
Hotels and Convention Centers. Many hotels and event spaces have escalators that see frequent use, requiring regular safety inspections.
No matter where an accident occurs, victims deserve answers — and full financial recovery for their injuries.
Common Injuries in Escalator Accidents
Even a minor escalator malfunction can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common escalator-related injuries include:
- Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). A sudden fall can lead to concussions or long-term cognitive impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis. Falls from height or forceful impacts can cause permanent mobility issues.
Broken Bones and Fractures. The force of a fall or getting caught in moving parts can lead to fractures in the arms, legs, or ribs.
Lacerations and Amputations. Entrapment accidents can result in severe cuts, deep wounds, or even loss of fingers or toes.
Internal Injuries. A sudden stop or fall can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, or other life-threatening conditions.
Some victims face long-term disabilities that affect their ability to work, live independently, or enjoy the quality of life they once had. Compensation should account for these lasting consequences.
Who Is Liable for an Escalator Accident?
Determining liability in an escalator accident requires a thorough investigation. Some of the parties that may be held accountable include:
- Property Owners. Businesses, hotels, malls, and airports must maintain safe premises, including ensuring escalators are properly maintained.
Maintenance and Inspection Companies. Third-party contractors responsible for escalator upkeep may be liable if their negligence contributed to an accident.
Escalator Manufacturers. If a defective design or faulty manufacturing caused the escalator to malfunction, the manufacturer may be responsible.
Wyatt Law Firm investigates every aspect of escalator accidents, from maintenance records to surveillance footage, to determine exactly who is at fault and hold them accountable.
Compensation for Escalator Accident Victims in Texas
Escalator accident settlements in Texas can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of injuries, liability, and long-term financial impact. Victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical Expenses. Covers emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical care. Severe injuries requiring ongoing treatment or lifelong medical support result in higher settlements.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity. Compensation for missed work and any lasting impairments that affect future income. Permanent disabilities or injuries impacting high-earning careers can significantly increase settlement amounts.
Pain and Suffering. Awards for physical pain, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life vary based on injury severity. Cases involving spinal cord injuries, amputations, or traumatic brain injuries often receive higher payouts.
Disability and Disfigurement. Life-changing injuries such as paralysis or amputations typically result in substantial compensation due to long-term medical costs and lifestyle adjustments.
Wrongful Death Damages. If an escalator accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering. Fatal injury claims often reach six- or seven-figure settlements, depending on lost lifetime earnings and the circumstances of the accident.
What Affects Escalator Accident Settlement Amounts?
Several factors influence the final payout in an escalator accident claim, including:
- Severity of Injuries. More severe injuries lead to higher settlements due to increased medical costs, long-term care needs, and loss of earning capacity.
Liability and Negligence. Cases with clear evidence of negligence — such as ignored maintenance issues or defective escalator parts — often result in higher settlements.
Insurance Policy Limits. Compensation is often capped by the policy limits of the at-fault party, but alternative sources may be available, such as business liability insurance or product liability claims.
Legal Representation. Victims with experienced legal teams recover significantly higher payouts than those who try to negotiate alone.
Insurance companies often minimize settlements by downplaying injuries or disputing liability. Wyatt Law Firm aggressively fights for full compensation, ensuring victims receive what they truly deserve — not just what insurers want to pay.
Put a Fighter on Your Side — Contact Wyatt Law Firm
Escalator accidents are preventable, and negligent parties must be held accountable. Wyatt Law Firm has a long history of taking on tough cases and winning results for injury victims across Texas.
- Over $1 billion recovered for accident victims
More than 40 years of experience handling personal injury claims
A reputation for taking on large companies and winning
No fee unless we win — guaranteed
If you or a loved one was injured in an escalator accident in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, or anywhere in Texas, Wyatt Law Firm is ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.