Chicago Elevator and Escalator Fatalities and Injuries

Are you one of those who take the stairs because you are afraid of riding in an elevator or stepping onto an escalator? As it turns out, a fear of elevators and escalators may be legitimate. According to the CDC, every year, an average of 30 people die from elevator or escalator injuries. Another 17,000 are seriously injured.

Injuries and death from elevator and escalator accidents can be particularly gruesome because of the force of the mechanisms and the vulnerability of users.

Safety experts often remind us to pause before entering an elevator to ensure the car is there, so we don’t accidentally step into an empty space. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on loose clothing around escalators to avoid getting caught in the moving steps. These simple precautions can help keep everyone safe.

You can also use our online contact form. Let our dedicated personal injury team help you understand your legal options and fight to recover maximum compensation for your injuries.

Elevator Fatalities and Injuries

A 2018 report on elevator and escalator accidents was published by the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). The organization studied deaths and injuries involving those who worked in or near elevators as well as deaths and injuries of elevator passengers.

Historical Data & Modern Risk Trends for Workers

The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) published a landmark study analyzing decades of elevator safety data. While the foundational data spans 1982–2010, the risks identified in this comprehensive report remain the standard for understanding industry dangers today. Current trends monitored by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) through 2024 continue to reflect these same hazards, with falls remaining the leading cause of fatalities.”

Leading Causes of Worker Fatalities

• Falls into elevator shafts: 48–53.5% of deaths (26 workers from 1982–2010; 14 deaths/year in modern data).
• Struck-by accidents: 16% (8 workers caught in mechanisms or struck by elevators).
• Structural collapses: 9% (4 deaths from elevator failures).
• Electrocutions: 7% (3 workers).
• Unknown causes: 8% (4 deaths).

Recent Trends:

• 2020–2023: 41 worker deaths and 21 injuries during repairs, with falls remaining the #1 risk.
• Construction laborers face heightened danger—deaths doubled from 2003 to 2016 (CPWR).

Workplace Passenger Fatalities: Persistent Hazards

Workplace elevator accidents are not limited to repair technicians. Delivery drivers, office staff, and custodial workers are also at risk. Historical analysis shows 89 workplace passenger deaths over a nearly two-decade period. Unfortunately, recent reports indicate these numbers have plateaued rather than decreased, with door entrapments and leveling issues remaining primary causes.

Common Scenarios

• Falling into empty shafts: 58% of deaths occur when doors open without an elevator present.
• Caught-in/between doors: Entrapments caused 21% of fatalities.
• Slip-and-falls: 50% of deaths involve tripping while entering/exiting.

Annual Averages:

• 5 workplace passenger deaths/year (1992–2009).
• 6 passenger deaths/year (2010–2023).

Ordinary Elevator Passenger Deaths (1997–2025)

Between 1997 and 2010, 5 passengers died annually in non-workplace incidents. Updated statistics (2022–2025) reveal:

Key Risks

• Slip-and-falls: 50% of deaths (tripping during entry/exit).
• Empty shafts: 48% of fatalities (doors opening without elevator presence).
• Illinois-specific: 8 deaths occurred in the state (1997–2010), aligning with national averages.

Modern Context:

• More than 17,000 serious injuries occur in elevators/escalators each year (2023 data).
• Children and seniors: Most vulnerable to entrapments; 117,100 elevators recalled in 2022 for safety flaws (CPSC).

Who May Be Liable for Elevator and Escalator Accidents

Determining who is responsible for an elevator or escalator accident often requires a detailed investigation. Several parties may share liability depending on how the accident occurred:

• Property Owners and Managers: Responsible for maintaining safe premises, including regular inspections, prompt repairs, and warning signs when equipment malfunctions.
• Maintenance and Repair Companies: If routine maintenance is neglected or repairs are performed incorrectly, these companies may be held liable, in whole or in part.
• Manufacturers or Installers: If an elevator or escalator has a design flaw, a faulty part, or an installation error, the maker or installer could face a product liability claim.
• Building Contractors or Third‑Party Vendors: In commercial or construction settings, contractors responsible for installation oversight or service contracts may be held liable.

An experienced attorney can review inspection reports, safety records, and service agreements to identify each liable party and pursue full compensation for the victim.

Safety Progress & Challenges

While modern elevators complete 18 billion trips/year with an accident rate of 0.015, risks such as misaligned doors and faulty sensors persist. Updated OSHA protocols aim to reduce shaft falls and electrocutions.

Escalator Fatalities and Injuries

Escalator deaths per year are relatively rare but still concerning. According to the study, an average of two fatalities occurred annually among regular passengers, totaling 39 deaths during the period examined. Notably, six of these escalator deaths per year happened in Illinois. Falls accounted for nearly a third of the fatalities, while the remaining incidents were classified as “caught-in-between” accidents.

These tragic events typically involved victims whose clothing became entangled in the escalator’s stairs or sidewalls. It’s important to note that the annual escalator deaths statistic excludes workers who maintain or repair the equipment and focuses solely on passenger incidents.

Escalator Injuries

Safety Research and Strategies (SRS) has studiedelevator and escalator injuries. It found that although there are more elevators than escalators in the U.S., you are 15 times more likely to be injured on an escalator than in an elevator accident.

More than three-fourths of escalator injuries are due to falls, which cause severe injuries and even deaths. Children under 5 and adults 65 or older are the most common victims of escalator falls. Some fall onto or off the escalator, and others lean too far over the side, falling off and landing on the floor below.

Elevator and Escalator Faulty Design Issues Contribute to Accidents

The CPWR report offers numerous recommendations to improve elevator safety. All involve better elevator design and maintenance.

Some consultants report that escalators need a better design. For example, some engineers suggest that the steps are not the correct width and move too fast. One expert said the basic design of escalators has not changed in decades. If design flaws were corrected, escalator injuries would be less frequent, and entrapments between the steps would be eliminated. Overloading the escalator would be less likely, thereby reducing accidents.

Escalator Injuries in Chicago

Chicago’s dense urban landscape and high-rise buildings make the use of escalators a daily necessity for thousands of residents and visitors. From the CTA stations and O’Hare International Airport to shopping centers like Water Tower Place and office buildings throughout the Loop, escalators transport millions of people throughout the city each year.

Unfortunately, escalator injuries in Chicago remain a serious concern. With over 11,000 escalator-related injuries occurring annually across the United States, Chicago sees its share of these preventable accidents. The city’s aging infrastructure and high-traffic areas can lead to mechanical failures, inadequate maintenance, and hazardous conditions that put riders at risk.

Common Escalator Injuries in Chicago

Victims of escalator accidents in Chicago frequently suffer:

• Traumatic falls resulting in fractures, head injuries, and spinal cord damage
• Entrapment injuries occur when clothing, shoes, or body parts become caught in moving mechanisms
• Crush injuries from sudden stops or malfunctions
• Lacerations and amputations from exposed mechanical parts
• Soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, and contusions

High-Risk Locations for Chicago Escalator Accidents

Escalator injuries in Chicago commonly occur at:

• CTA subway and train stations throughout the city
• O’Hare and Midway International Airports
• Major shopping centers and retail locations
• Commercial office buildings in the Loop and surrounding areas
• Hotels and convention centers like McCormick Place
• Hospitals and medical facilities

Chicago Elevator Codes & Inspection Requirements

In Chicago, elevator and escalator safety is governed strictly by the Chicago Municipal Code. The Department of Buildings requires that every device undergo an annual safety test to receive an Annual Inspection Certification (AIC).

Property owners are legally required to display this certificate inside the elevator cab or near the escalator. If you have been injured, one of the first things we investigate is the AIC status. Was the certificate expired? Did the building owner ignore the cited violations from a previous inspection?

In many of our cases involving the CTA or older Loop high-rises, we find that maintenance logs were falsified or that ‘minor’ mechanical issues were ignored until they caused a major injury.

5 Steps to Take Immediately After an Elevator Accident

Evidence in elevator and escalator cases can disappear quickly. If you are physically able, take these steps immediately:

1. Photograph the Inspection Certificate: Look for the AIC frame inside the elevator or near the escalator base. Take a clear photo of the expiration date and the certificate number.
2. Preserve Your Footwear and Clothing: If your injury involved an escalator entrapment, your shoes and torn clothing are critical physical evidence. Do not throw them away or wash them; bag them immediately.
3. Identify Witnesses: Get names and phone numbers of anyone who was in the elevator car with you. They can testify if the ride was ‘jerky,’ if the drop was sudden, or if the doors failed to open.
4. Report the Incident: File an accident report with the building security or the CTA station manager before leaving the scene. Ensure the incident is documented in writing.
5. Do Not Sign Settlements: Insurance adjusters for the building or maintenance company may reach out quickly. Do not sign any waivers or accept quick cash offers before speaking to an attorney.

Who is Liable for Chicago Escalator Injuries?

Determining liability for escalator injuries in Chicago often involves multiple parties:

• Property owners who fail to maintain equipment or provide adequate warnings
• Maintenance companies that neglect routine inspections or perform substandard repairs
• Escalator manufacturers are responsible when design defects or faulty components cause accidents
• CTA or airport authorities for accidents on public transportation property

Elevator and Escalator Accident Attorneys

If you were seriously injured in an elevator or escalator accident, or a family member was killed in such an accident, call or text our Chicago elevator and escalator accident attorneys at the Blumenshine Law Group in Chicago at (312)766-1000 or email [email protected]. We offer free consultations.

Escalator and Elevator FAQs

Who is most at risk for elevator and escalator injuries in Chicago?

While anyone can be injured in an elevator or escalator accident, certain groups are at higher risk:

Elderly individuals and children are more prone to escalator accidents
Maintenance workers and those installing or repairing elevators face higher risks (accounting for about 60% of elevator-related deaths)

Intoxicated individuals, particularly men under 60, are at increased risk of escalator accidents.
People carrying packages or distracted while using escalators are more likely to be injured.

What are the most common causes of elevator and escalator injuries?

The most common causes of elevator and escalator injuries include:

• Falls (accounting for about 75% of escalator injuries)
• Entrapment between moving parts (about 20% of escalator injuries)
• Mechanical failures or malfunctions
• Misleveling of elevator cars
• Sudden stops or drops in elevators
• Slips and trips, especially on escalators

How often do accidents on escalators occur?

Accidents on escalators are more common than many people realize. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that about 11,000 escalator-related injuries occur annually in the United States.

Urgent Warning: Illinois Filing Deadlines

If you have been injured, time is not on your side. In Illinois, the general Statute of Limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of the accident.

However, the timeline is much shorter if your injury occurred on government property.

If your accident occurred at a CTA station, a public building, or involves a municipal entity, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit, and in some cases, you must file a formal Notice of Claim within six months. Failing to meet these strict deadlines will permanently bar you from recovering compensation. Call Blumenshine Law Group immediately to ensure your rights are protected.

Scott Blumenshine is the founding partner of Blumenshine Law Group and a veteran Chicago trial attorney with over 35 years of experience. Specializing in complex premises liability, Scott has a proven track record in elevator and escalator injury cases, including a notable $1.275 million recovery for an injured worker. He is dedicated to securing justice and maximum compensation for victims of mechanical negligence.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.