Pittsburgh
Elevator & Escalator Accident Lawyers

Most people step onto an elevator or escalator without a second thought.

These machines are so embedded in daily life that the risks they carry rarely come to mind, until something goes wrong.

When elevators drop unexpectedly, escalator steps give way, or doors fail to function properly, the resulting injuries can be severe. And in almost every case, the accident was preventable.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our Pittsburgh elevator and escalator accident lawyers represent victims who have been seriously injured due to negligent maintenance, defective equipment, or inadequate inspections. We have more than 40 years of experience holding property owners, maintenance companies, and manufacturers accountable throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation

Common Causes of Elevator and Escalator Accidents in Pittsburgh

The majority of elevator and escalator accidents are the result of failures that proper maintenance or inspection would have prevented.

Common causes our attorneys investigate include:

  • Failure to perform required routine inspections and maintenance
  • Mechanical defects: worn cables, faulty brakes, or malfunctioning sensors
  • Leveling errors: elevators stopping several inches above or below the floor, creating a tripping hazard
  • Sudden unexpected drops or jerky stops that throw passengers off balance
  • Door malfunctions: closing too quickly, failing to open, or striking passengers
  • Escalator step and handrail defects
  • Entrapment injuries: clothing, footwear, or body parts caught in escalator components
  • Manufacturing defects in the original elevator or escalator system
  • Inadequate warning signs, lighting, or barriers around known hazards

Our attorneys investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties.

Injuries Caused by Elevator and Escalator Accidents

The severity of injuries in elevator and escalator accidents varies widely, but these incidents frequently produce serious harm.

Victims may suffer broken bones and fractures from falls caused by leveling errors or sudden stops; traumatic brain injuries sustained during sudden drops or impacts; spinal cord injuries and chronic pain; crush injuries and amputations from entrapment in escalator mechanisms; and lacerations, bruising, and soft tissue injuries.

Even injuries that appear less severe initially can have lasting consequences, missed work, ongoing pain, and anxiety about using equipment that was once routine.

In some cases, accidents result from a combination of these factors, for example, a manufacturing defect that a properly conducted inspection should have identified.

Who Can Be Held Liable for an Elevator or Escalator Injury?

These cases frequently involve multiple parties, and identifying all of them is one of the most important things an experienced attorney can do for you.

Potentially liable parties include:

  • Property owners: who have a legal duty under Pennsylvania premises liability law to keep their buildings safe
  • Building management companies: often responsible for ensuring maintenance contracts are in place and followed
  • Maintenance and inspection companies: who may have performed negligent or inadequate work
  • Manufacturers: who may be liable if a defect in the original equipment contributed to the accident

Pennsylvania’s premises liability law requires property owners to maintain their buildings in a reasonably safe condition.

When an elevator or escalator is allowed to fall into disrepair, or when known hazards go unaddressed, that duty has been breached.

Get Your Free Case Evaluation

Compensation Available in Elevator and Escalator Accident Cases

If you were injured in an elevator or escalator accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover:

  • All medical expenses: emergency care, surgery, specialist treatment, and follow-up
  • Lost wages during recovery
  • Permanent scarring or disability
  • Reduced future earning capacity if injuries have lasting effects on your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and psychological harm

Contact Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky Today For a Free Consultation

ABOUT
Why Choose Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky for Your Elevator or Escalator Injury Case?

Elevator and escalator accident cases often require prompt action. Equipment is frequently repaired or replaced after an incident, and maintenance records may be altered or destroyed.

The sooner an attorney can investigate, the stronger your ability to preserve critical evidence.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., we have spent more than four decades representing victims of premises-related accidents in Pittsburgh.

We understand how to build these cases, gathering maintenance records, securing inspection logs, working with mechanical engineers, and holding all responsible parties accountable.

Get Your Free Case Evaluation
“

The OPM Team was great to work with on our claim as plaintiffs in our court offering. They kept us informed of the progress of our litigation and provided great insight in helping us to make prudent decisions. I highly recommend their legal expertise and the compassion they demonstrated for our personal situation.

– J. P.
“

Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. law firm is second to none! They go above and beyond for their clients to not only maximize their settlement but to also alleviate a lot of the stress that is associated with this type of litigation. I highly recommend this law firm!

– K. L.
“

I highly recommend using this law firm. My family had nothing but great experiences. Answered all of the questions we had and explained everything in very good detail and in a very friendly, but professional manner.

– N. C.
“

Best law firm anywhere. Professional, caring, thorough and will do everything they can to help you get you through a harrowing time. I can't recommend them enough. You don’t want any other firm on your side.

– S. F.
“

First, I would like to thank the firm of Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky for their great work and their commitment to helping me with my case. Mr. Gobel took his time walking me through the process and the details. I would recommend this firm to anyone who is looking for legal counsel.

– J. M.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Elevator & Escalator Injury Cases

View All FAQs

Responsibility typically falls on property owners and the maintenance companies they hire. Manufacturers may also bear liability if a defect contributed to the accident. Pennsylvania premises liability law requires property owners to keep their buildings reasonably safe for visitors.

Seek medical attention immediately. Report the incident to building management and ensure a written incident report is created. Photograph the scene and your injuries. Do not sign anything from the property owner or their insurer before speaking with an attorney.

This is exactly why acting quickly matters. Equipment repairs can destroy critical physical evidence. Our attorneys move fast to preserve maintenance records, inspection logs, and any available surveillance footage before evidence disappears.

Elevator maintenance workers injured on the job may have both workers’ compensation claims and third-party personal injury claims, for example, against the elevator manufacturer if a defect caused the malfunction. Our attorneys evaluate every construction and maintenance accident for third-party liability to make sure no avenue of compensation is overlooked.

Yes. Commercial property owners have the same duty to maintain safe premises as any other property owner. If a defective or poorly maintained elevator or escalator injured you, the responsible parties can be held accountable regardless of the type of property.

Lost wages are a recoverable category of damages. If your injuries have a long-term impact on your ability to work, reduced future earning capacity may also be recoverable. Our attorneys calculate the full scope of your economic losses before recommending any settlement.

Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of your injury. Because evidence in these cases can disappear quickly, contact Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C. as soon as possible.

Pittsburgh Elevator & Escalator Accident Lawyers Holding Property Owners Accountable

Elevator and escalator accidents are preventable, and when they happen, someone is responsible.

At Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky, P.C., our Pittsburgh premises liability attorneys have more than 40 years of experience identifying that responsibility and pursuing full compensation for injury victims throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

Whether your accident occurred in a downtown office building, a Pittsburgh-area hotel, a shopping center, or a residential complex, we know how to build a strong case against negligent property owners, maintenance companies, and equipment manufacturers.

Do not wait, evidence in these cases can disappear quickly.

Call (412) 471-8500 today for a free case evaluation.

    twelve − 6 =

    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.

    245 Fort Pitt Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15222, US