Detroit Escalator & Elevator Accident Lawyer

You stepped into an elevator—or onto an escalator—expecting nothing more than to move between floors. Instead, you were thrown, crushed, or jolted into a life-changing injury. One second of mechanical failure or human negligence—and now you’re dealing with hospital visits, surgeries, lost work, and pain that just won’t quit.

Escalator and elevator accidents aren’t just freak events—they’re preventable failures. When property owners, maintenance crews, or manufacturers cut corners, the cost is measured in broken bones, spinal trauma, and shattered lives.

We’ve seen firsthand how devastating these injuries can be. We’ve stood beside Detroit residents whose lives were derailed by careless building management, lazy repairs, or outright code violations. And we made sure those responsible paid for it.

Common Causes of Escalator & Elevator Accidents

Mechanical Failure or Malfunction

Elevators that drop between floors. Escalators that suddenly speed up or stop. These failures are often caused by:

• Worn-out parts
• Defective braking systems
• Malfunctioning motors or pulleys

When these components fail, the results can be catastrophic.

Improper Maintenance or Inspection

Escalators and elevators must be inspected regularly under Michigan safety codes. But too often:

• Building owners skip maintenance to save money
• Unqualified technicians miss red flags
• Records are falsified or inspections delayed

Negligence like this puts every rider at risk—and we don’t let it slide.

Sudden Drops, Jerks, or Stops

An elevator that suddenly plummets or lurches between floors can cause:

• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Severe trauma from falls or being thrown against the wall

These incidents usually point to mechanical failure, poor maintenance, or faulty design.

Improper Door Function or Crushing Hazards

Elevator doors that close too quickly—or fail to detect someone in the way—can:

• Crush limbs
• Trap clothing
• Cause serious head or spinal injuries, especially in children or the elderly

Misalignment and Tripping Hazards

Escalator steps that shift or elevators that don’t level properly with the floor can lead to:

• Dangerous trip and fall injuries
• Wheelchairs, strollers, or walkers tipping over
• Falls down elevator shafts

Electrical Malfunctions or Entrapment

Power surges, wiring faults, or faulty emergency systems can trap passengers inside:

• Without ventilation
• Without communication
• For hours in extreme fear or medical risk

We hold property owners and service providers responsible when these systems fail.

Legal Grounds for a Claim

Negligence & Gross Negligence

At the core of most personal injury cases is negligence—the failure to act with reasonable care. If a building owner ignored a faulty door sensor or a technician skipped a required inspection, that’s negligence. If their conduct was reckless, deliberate, or shockingly careless, it may qualify as gross negligence—and that opens the door to punitive damages, intended to punish and deter future harm.

Premises Liability

In Michigan, landlords, businesses, and property managers have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for tenants, visitors, and workers. If your injury happened because an escalator was misaligned or an elevator door crushed you, the property owner can be held liable under premises liability law.

We use maintenance logs, video footage, safety records, and expert testimony to show that:

• The hazard existed
• The owner knew or should have known
• They failed to fix it in a reasonable time

Product Liability

Sometimes, the issue isn’t maintenance—it’s the machine itself. We go after manufacturers when:

• Braking systems fail due to defective design
• Circuit boards malfunction and trigger sudden drops
• Door sensors don’t register passengers properly

Under Michigan and federal law, you can sue for product liability based on:

• Defective design
• Manufacturing error
• Failure to warn

Respondeat Superior (Employer Liability)

If the elevator technician or maintenance worker was an employee acting within the scope of their job, their employer can be held liable. This doctrine—called respondeat superior—is a powerful legal tool that allows us to go after corporations and property management firms, not just individuals.

We often uncover:

• Poor training
• Lack of supervision
• Pressure to rush or cut corners

Violations of Michigan Safety Codes

Elevators and escalators are regulated under Michigan's Elevator Code, enforced by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). These codes cover:

• Inspection frequency
• Permit requirements
• Load testing
• Emergency communications and safety locks

Violations are more than technicalities—they are evidence of negligence. We request public records, inspection logs, and maintenance reports to expose code violations and use them to strengthen your claim.

What Compensation Can You Seek?

Medical Expenses (Current and Future)

We pursue payment for:

• Emergency room visits
• Surgeries and hospital stays
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Medications and medical equipment
• Future medical needs like mobility aids, home modifications, or additional surgeries

If your injury has long-term consequences, we bring in medical experts to project lifetime treatment costs—and make sure they’re covered.

Lost Income and Loss of Future Earnings

Injuries from elevator or escalator accidents often mean time off work—or an inability to return to work at all. We calculate:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Future income loss if you can’t return to your career
• Loss of retirement or benefits due to job disruption

If you were a contractor, hourly worker, or small business owner, we work with economic experts to prove the full financial impact.

Pain and Suffering

The physical agony, limited mobility, and emotional toll of your injuries matter. We seek compensation for:

• Chronic pain
• Sleepless nights
• Loss of independence
• Impact on daily life

This isn’t “bonus money”—it’s recognition of the real, lived pain you’ve endured.

Permanent Disability or Disfigurement

If your accident resulted in a lasting injury—like a spinal cord injury, amputation, nerve damage, or visible scarring—you may be eligible for additional compensation to address:

• Physical limitations
• Life-long accommodations
• Loss of quality of life
• Social and emotional consequences

Psychological Trauma

Getting trapped in an elevator or thrown from an escalator can leave deep mental scars—especially for children or seniors. We pursue compensation for:

• PTSD
• Anxiety or depression
• Fear of elevators/escalators
• Long-term therapy needs

Punitive Damages

If the property owner, maintenance company, or manufacturer acted with reckless disregard for your safety—such as falsifying inspections or ignoring known defects—we may demand punitive damages to punish them and send a clear message: cutting corners costs lives.

What to Do After an Escalator or Elevator Injury

Get Emergency Medical Attention

Even if you think it’s “just a bruise” or a sprain, get checked out right away. Internal injuries, concussions, and spinal damage aren’t always obvious at first. Your medical record is also key evidence for proving the severity of your injury later.

Report the Incident Immediately

Tell building management, security, or the property owner as soon as it happens. Insist they create a written incident report and request a copy. If you’re in a public place like a mall or office tower, file the report before you leave—even if you’re in pain.

Document the Scene

Use your phone (or ask someone you trust) to take photos and videos of:

• The malfunctioning escalator or elevator
• Any visible injuries
• Hazards like exposed gears, broken lights, or uneven steps
• Signage (or lack thereof) warning of problems

Also try to get the names and contact info of any witnesses. Their testimony could be critical.

Preserve Clothing and Footwear

Don't wash or throw away the clothes and shoes you were wearing. Torn fabric, blood stains, or skid marks can all serve as powerful evidence of force, entrapment, or defect.

Don’t Sign Anything from Insurance or Property Management

You might be offered a quick settlement or asked to “just sign a few forms.” Don’t do it. Insurance companies are trained to minimize your claim. Anything you sign now could hurt your ability to recover compensation later.

Contact an Escalator & Elevator Injury Lawyer Immediately

The sooner you call Marko Law, the sooner we can:

• Preserve surveillance footage
• Demand maintenance records
• Notify the property owner of your claim
• Stop insurers from taking advantage of you

Time matters. Evidence fades. Memories fade. Buildings get repaired. Call us now so we can lock everything in while it’s still fresh.

Contact Marko Law Today

An escalator or elevator injury can turn your life upside down in seconds—but it doesn’t have to define your future. Whether you’re facing months of rehab, lost wages, or permanent pain, you deserve justice, not just sympathy.

At Marko Law, we don’t back down. We investigate aggressively, litigate fearlessly, and fight to win the maximum compensation for every client. We’ve taken on building owners, maintenance companies, manufacturers, and insurance giants—and held them accountable.

We do it because your injury isn’t just a statistic. It’s personal. It’s painful. And it demands action.

📞 Call us now for a free, no-pressure case evaluation:
1-833-MARKO-LAW or 1-313-777-7777

📍 Office:
220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226

🌐 Website:
www.markolaw.com