This past Friday, an escalator at a DART train station in Dallas malfunctioned, injuring over a dozen middle school students on a field trip in the city. Around 100 students were present at the station when the premises liability accident occurred; some of them reported that the escalator “just gave way,” without any tension to keep the steps moving at a regular pace. One of the teachers was able to press the emergency stop button, but not before several students and teachers alike had tumbled and fallen on top of each other.
Four ambulances were sent to the scene to examine the injured students and teachers. Around 18 people total were injured, with seven children and two adults transferred to a hospital for further treatment. DART officials have initiated an investigation into what caused the motorized steps to malfunction.
A DART spokesman insisted that the escalators are checked daily, with an additional inspection every three years to ensure the devices are safe. However, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation stated that they did not receive a required inspection report from DART last year.
The strict inspection requirements established by law are designed to keep public premises safe for the countless people who use them daily. When these requirements are not met, the owner can be held legally responsible for any injury a person suffers as a result.
If you or one of your loved ones has been injured on unsafe property in Texas, please contact the experienced premises liability attorneys at Polewski & Associates today to schedule a consultation.
