The company responsible for maintaining escalators at Giants Stadium settled with eight injured people last week over an escalator accident that occurred about four years ago. Schindler is only one defendant in the case involving serious injuries that occurred when an escalator sped up and quickly stopped, ultimately causing some serious injuries. The other defendant, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority who operated the stadium at the time, has not settled and their case will continue.

On December 29, 2007, Giants Stadium hosted a game between the Giants and the New England Patriots. It was after the game, as people were leaving, that the escalator accident occurred.

Witnesses said the escalator sped up and stopped, causing people to “tumble” towards the bottom. One man, Michael Harris, whose leg was caught in the bottom of the escalator, underwent five surgeries and three years of treatment before he ultimately had his leg amputated below the knee. Joseph Capuano has had more than twelve surgeries and could still lose his foot.

The settlement came after a break in the trial, following opening statements with a retelling of the escalator accident. According to the Associated Press, the account was graphic and included photos of the injuries.

Often, when a defendant in a civil case realizes they will lose at trial, a settlement becomes more alluring. This may have been what happened in this case after the moving opening statements.

The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

Schindler was accused of failing to maintain the escalators in a safe manner, from replacing a mechanical part to making regular inspections. The Sports Authority is charged with failing to limit the number of people allowed on the escalators at any one time.

The Sports Authority says it did not ignore warnings about overloading the escalator and said that other escalators were carrying the same numbers of people, and none of them malfunctioned.

The trial against the Sports Authority continues.

The plaintiffs in this case, or the people who were injured, merely want to be compensated for their injuries-including medical costs and the trauma associated with them. But it’s obvious, four years after the accident, that cases like these can take a long time to resolve.

When you are at a public sporting event, you take it for granted that you will be safe. When something catastrophic happens, it can catch everyone off guard. If you have been hurt in an escalator accident call us today for a free consultation. The experienced New York Escalator Accident Lawyers at Omrani & Taub, P.C. can make sure you compensated for your losses and injuries as well as pain and suffering.