Stairway and Escalator Fall Accidents in Georgia & South Carolina
Stairways and escalators are essential features of commercial buildings, shopping centers, parking garages, and apartment complexes — but when they are poorly maintained, they become dangerous. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that escalator-related injuries result in approximately 10,000 emergency room visits annually, while stairway falls are responsible for over one million injuries each year in the United States.
At Roden Law, our stairway and escalator fall lawyers handle cases throughout Georgia and South Carolina involving injuries caused by defective, poorly maintained, or improperly designed stairs and escalators. These cases may involve premises liability claims against property owners as well as product liability claims against escalator manufacturers.
Common Causes of Stairway Falls
Stairway falls are often caused by hazardous conditions that a property owner should have identified and corrected:
- Missing, loose, or broken handrails
- Uneven step heights or inconsistent tread depths
- Worn, torn, or missing stair treads and non-slip strips
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells
- Wet, icy, or debris-covered stairs
- Building code violations in stair construction or renovation
- Missing or damaged stair nosing (the edge of each step)
Georgia and South Carolina building codes establish minimum safety standards for stairways, including handrail height, tread width, riser height, and lighting requirements. Violations of these codes can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a premises liability claim.
Escalator Accident Causes and Liability
Escalator accidents present unique liability questions because they may involve both the property owner who maintains the escalator and the manufacturer who designed and built it:
- Sudden stops or speed changes that throw passengers off balance
- Entrapment of clothing, shoes, fingers, or toes in escalator mechanisms
- Missing or broken comb plates at escalator landings
- Gaps between steps that catch heels or small objects
- Failure to conduct required maintenance and safety inspections
Under Georgia premises liability law (O.C.G.A. § 51-3-1), the property owner is responsible for maintaining escalators in safe operating condition. If a design or manufacturing defect caused the accident, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may also be available. South Carolina similarly holds both property owners and manufacturers accountable under their respective duties.
Proving a Stairway or Escalator Claim
Successful stairway and escalator fall claims typically require evidence of the hazardous condition, the property owner’s knowledge of the condition, and the causal connection between the hazard and your injuries. Key evidence includes building inspection reports, maintenance and repair records, surveillance camera footage, building code compliance documentation, expert testimony from safety engineers, and photographs of the defective condition.
Damages in Stairway and Escalator Fall Cases
Falls on stairs and escalators frequently result in severe injuries due to the height and hard surfaces involved. Victims may recover compensation for all medical treatment, surgical procedures, lost income, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. In cases involving egregious maintenance failures or known hazards left unrepaired, punitive damages may also be available under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1). Contact Roden Law for a free case evaluation.