Escalator Accident Claims

In the last decades, escalators have become part of daily life for most people in the UK. They are an innovative convenience when having to get from one floor to another, particularly in multi-storey buildings. Instead of expending a lot of energy running up and down the stairs, you can comfortably stand in one place while the escalator takes you to the next floor.

Other than carrying people, escalators are of great help when having to carry heavy luggage or other goods. There are 451 escalators just on the London Underground system, with the highest at 60 meters above ground level, and numerous others in shopping centres and other busy locations. This convenience, however, poses a few risks for passengers.

With each escalator making numerous trips each day, it is not surprising that sometimes accidents might occur. These could be caused by equipment malfunctioning, poor maintenance or other passengers. The most common related injuries are minor trips or bumps, but, according to the LEIA, several severe or fatal accidents also take place each year.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to an escalator accident, you might be entitled to make an escalator accident claim. An experienced solicitor can let you know what kind of evidence you might need for a successful claim and give you the advice and support you need to receive compensation.

To start your claim, speak to a trained legal adviser by calling 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation.

Find out if you can claim

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Table of Contents

• Can I make an escalator accident claim?
• What are the most common causes of accidents on escalators?
• Is there a time limit for making an escalator injury claim?
• How much compensation is an escalator accident claim worth?
• What should you do if you are injured on an escalator?

Can I make an escalator accident claim?

You should be eligible to make an escalator accident claim if:

• you suffered an escalator injury in the last three years
• another party owed you a duty of care
• they breached their duty by acting negligently

If you want to claim compensation for an escalator accident, you should contact a solicitor. They will consider the circumstances of your accident and let you know if you might have a valid claim.

If you have a fair chance of winning your case, they will likely offer you a no win no fee agreement*. That means you will receive the best advice and support throughout the claiming process without having to worry about any solicitor fees or upfront costs.

At the beginning of your claim, your solicitor will take out an After the Event (ATE) insurance policy on your behalf. If your claim is unsuccessful, this insurance will cover all the legal fees for you and the defendant, and you won’t have to pay a single penny.

That is rarely the case since no solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement if they don’t believe you have a strong compensation claim.

You will only have to pay a success fee to your solicitor after receiving compensation. The success fee can be no more than 25% of your award, and you will agree upon it before starting any legal proceedings.

To find out if you have a valid claim, call 0800 470 0474 to speak to a legal adviser or enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call-back.

What are the most common causes of accidents on escalators?

The majority of escalators in the UK are very safe, and accidents are unlikely to happen. However, if they are not constantly checked and maintained, the people using them might be at risk for accidents.

Common situations that can cause escalator accidents include:

• slips and falls due to wet or slippery stairs
• broken or uneven surfaces may cause cuts, bruises and lacerations and also damage to personal items
• wet and slippery areas near an escalator entrance or exit
• inadequate support while the escalator is moving
• emergency stops that may lead to falls or bumps
• unexpected escalator failures
• overcrowding, which might result in shoving or falls
• malfunction of the emergency stop mechanism, which should trigger when clothing or body parts get trapped in the escalator teeth or side gaps

Escalator accidents can cause minor to severe injuries like:

• cuts and bruises
• lacerations
• nerve damage
• broken bones
• back and neck injuries
• head trauma
• sprains and strains

Falling off the side of an escalator can have fatal consequences if the escalator is far away from the ground.

Any type of accident on an escalator can have severe and long-lasting repercussions. Even a minor injury might require you to take time off work and may cause emotional distress.

It is always essential to determine if a person or a company might be liable for your accident. If that’s the case, a personal injury solicitor can help you build a strong escalator accident claim and get compensation for your injuries.

To find out if you have a valid claim, enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0474 to speak to a legal adviser.

Is there a time limit for making an escalator injury claim?

The limitation date for personal injury claims is usually three years from the day of the accident. After the three years have passed, your escalator injury claim will become statute-barred, and you will no longer be eligible to claim compensation.

In certain circumstances, the three-year limitation date might not apply:

• If the victim of an accident on an escalator is a child, a litigation friend who is usually one of the parents, can claim compensation on their behalf while they are still under the age of 18. Afterwards, the victim will have until their 21st birthday to start a claim in their name.
• A litigation friend may also claim compensation for a victim who lacks the mental capacity to go through the claiming process with no time limitation. If the injured person regains intellectual abilities, they will have three years to start an escalator accident claim from that date.
• If you suffered an escalator accident abroad, the claim limitation date is subject to the foreign country’s laws and might be as short as six months.
• For injuries related to escalator assaults, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) requires claims to be started within two years after the assault.

You should contact a solicitor as soon as possible after your injury. Establishing liability, gathering evidence and preparing all the required documents may take a long time. Most solicitors won’t accept a case if more than 30 months have passed since the accident.

How much compensation is an escalator accident claim worth?

If you suffered even a minor injury in an escalator accident, this could have a significant psychological impact. Severe injuries may cause you a lot of suffering and have long-lasting consequences and a considerable financial impact.

If somebody else was responsible for your accident, you might want to claim compensation. An escalator accident claim might cover:

• General damages: pain, suffering and loss of amenity. This includes psychological trauma and mental distress, disfigurement, loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, inability to pursue a hobby, etc.
• Medical expenses include all the treatments, surgery, medication, hospital costs, rehabilitation or counselling costs you had to pay to get your injury treated.
• Home health care costs if you need help at home after your accident. You can receive compensation even if your caretaker is a friend or a member of your family.
• Loss of wages: depending upon the severity of the injury you sustained, you might have to take some time off work. As well as claiming for lost earnings, you may also be entitled to receive compensation if you lost any bonuses or promotions because of your injury.
• Property damage: you can receive compensation for any personal items such as accessories, clothes or electronic devices that were damaged in your escalator accident.
• Any other financial expenses related to your injury: travel costs, mobility devices, adaptations needed for your car or home.

The amount of money you could claim after an escalator accident depends on the extent of your injuries and all the financial losses you incurred.

Solicitors use the guidelines published by the Judicial College as a starting point when calculating a suitable compensation amount for general damages. According to their guidance, you might receive:

• Up to £102,890 for a severe hand injury with long-term loss of use
• Up to £56,180 for a wrist injury with permanent loss of function
• Up to £122,860 for a severe arm injury with complete loss of function
• Up to £307,000 for a loss of limb
• Up to £85,170 for amputation of one or more fingers
• £3,090 to £54,280 for crush injuries after being trapped in an escalator
• Up to £65,420 for a severe ankle injury
• Up to £127,530 for a leg injury that caused permanent disability
• £140,870 to £205,580 for moderate head injuries with complete recovery
• £264,650 to £379,100 for severe brain damage

Your solicitor will always try to get you the maximum compensation amount you are entitled to receive. Furthermore, they will try to secure interim payments if you have immediate financial needs.

To find out how much compensation your escalator accident might be worth, call 0800 470 0474 for a free consultation with a legal adviser.

What should you do if you are injured on an escalator?

The majority of shopping centres, train stations, airports, and other large buildings visited by a high number of people have escalators installed. Escalator owners have a duty to maintain them safe for use at all times.

If you suffered an injury caused by somebody else while using an escalator, you might want to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and any financial losses you incurred.

To have a successful escalator accident claim, you will need compelling evidence that somebody else acted negligently, causing you to get injured. Therefore, you should:

• Seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries. The medical records relating to your injuries, the treatment you received and recovery prospects will be essential evidence to support your claim.
• Your solicitor might also arrange a free medical visit with a licensed physician for a detailed assessment of your injury and any long-term consequences for which you could claim compensation.
• Get the contact details of any witnesses that might give a statement about how the accident occurred. Their testimony might be valuable if your claim ends up in court.
• Take photographs, trying to capture the exact cause of the accident. You should also photograph any visible injuries or damaged property.
• If any CCTV cameras are covering the area, you should ask for a copy of the footage before it gets erased; most CCTV footage is deleted after 30 days.
• Report the accident to the elevator owner or any staff. If an accident book is available, make sure to get a signed copy of your entry. This will help confirm the date, time and location of your accident.
• Document all your expenses and keep receipts of any costs you incurred as a result of your accident.

If you want to make an escalator injury claim, hiring an experienced solicitor can be instrumental in securing the compensation you deserve.

If you feel you may have a valid claim for compensation, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser. They can give you expert, impartial advice and help gather relevant evidence to build a strong escalator accident claim.

Last edited on 10th Feb 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.