While every incident is different, the problems we see most often in premises cases tend to fall into a few patterns:
- Door timing and gate issues: doors closing too quickly, not fully aligning, or failing to operate consistently.
- Uneven steps or step alignment on escalators, including trip-and-fall scenarios.
- Handrail problems such as jerking movement, rough operation, or inconsistent speed.
- Visibility and wayfinding gaps in busy areas—poor lighting or unclear signage can increase the chance of a misstep when people are rushing.
- Intermittent malfunctions that “work” most of the time, but fail during peak usage.
If the device was acting strangely before your accident—or the facility had received prior complaints—those facts can become important for proving that a safer condition was reasonably expected.


