A little over one month after the death of a 4-year-old Dudley Boy who fell in an Auburn Massachusetts escalator accident, the Boston Globe says that state Public Safety Department records of inspection show that only 44 out of 188 shopping mall escalators in Massachusetts were inspected annually over the last three years-that’s 144 escalators that haven’t been inspected each year even though state law requires it. Also, according to the records, from 2008 to 2010 some of the elevators weren’t checked by inspectors for two consecutive years.
The Globe says that when the mall escalators were checked, more than half the time they needed repairs. Mall escalators had to be temporarily shut down because of safety concerns. Industry specialists say that mall escalators should be checked yearly because they sustain a lot of wear and tear from being used by so many people. Following DiBona’s death, two inspectors were suspended for failing to block off a gap at the top of the escalator that was too wide.
Some causes of escalator accidents:
• Stopping abruptly • Starting abruptly • Wet or slippery surfaces • Fingers, toes, or clothing getting caught on the escalator’s metal teeth • Inadequate inspection
• Faulty repairs • An emergency stop button that doesn’t work
There may be more than one party who should be held liable for your Boston personal injuries from an escalator accident. An experienced Boston injury lawyer can help you figure out whether you have grounds for a case claiming Massachusetts products liability, premises liability, or personal injury.
Most mall escalators lack full state inspections, Boston.com, April 25, 2011
Family Of Boy Who Died On Escalator Issues Statement, CBS Boston, March 15, 2011
More Blog Posts:
4-Year-Old Dudley Boy Dies in Auburn, Massachusetts Escalator Fall Accident, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, March 13, 2011
Family of Woman Who Died in MBTA Escalator Accident Files Suit, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, November 3, 2009
Worcester Jury Awards Massachusetts Teen $2.85 For Escalator Accident that Mangled His Hand, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 27, 2007
Contact our Boston escalator accident lawyers today.