Learn when you can file a claim after an automatic door accident and how to maximize your compensation in SC
Automatic doors are common in businesses, hospitals, and public spaces across Columbia, South Carolina, offering convenience and accessibility. But when these systems malfunction, they can lead to severe injuries, especially for children and older adults.
These accidents often result from improper maintenance, design flaws, or neglected safety standards by property owners, maintenance companies, or manufacturers, which means that if you’re injured by an automatic door, you may be entitled to compensation. However, determining who is responsible and proving their liability can be complicated.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an automatic or revolving door accident, the experienced Columbia personal injury attorneys at Chappell, Chappel, and Newman can help you determine if you have a case. Learn more about your legal options by scheduling a free consultation.
Are automatic doors dangerous?
While automatic doors are designed for safety, they can pose risks in certain situations. Vulnerable populations, including children, older adults, and individuals with mobility challenges, may face heightened risks if safety standards are not adequately met.
Ensuring doors comply with modern safety regulations and undergoing routine inspections is key to reducing these hazards.
How do automatic doors detect people?
Automatic doors use sensors to detect people by monitoring motion, presence, or environmental changes. Motion sensors use infrared or microwave technology to identify movement near the door, while presence sensors utilize pressure-sensitive mats or infrared beams to register stationary individuals.
Once activated, these sensors send signals to the door’s control system to initiate opening. Advanced systems often combine multiple sensor types to improve precision and accommodate various scenarios, improving reliability and safety.
What are the risks of using automatic doors?
While often highly reliable, automatic doors are not without risks. Various factors can compromise their functionality and reliability, frequently linked to environmental, mechanical, and operational challenges, including:
- Product defects. Faulty manufacturing or design flaws in the doors or their components can lead to serious safety hazards and unexpected malfunctions.
- Sensor failures. Misaligned sensors, dirt or debris obstruction, or physical damage can prevent doors from accurately detecting people or objects.
- Environmental challenges. Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or strong winds, can impair the operation of automatic doors that connect to outdoor spaces.
- Software glitches. Errors in the control system’s programming may result in inconsistent door performance.
- Mechanical breakdowns. Components like motors, gears, or door tracks can wear out over time, leading to erratic or complete failure.
- Electrical issues. Power outages or surges can disrupt door functionality, potentially leaving them inoperable without a manual override.
- Maintenance lapses. Infrequent cleaning, calibration, or inspection can turn otherwise minor issues into significant operational problems.
It’s the responsibility of the property owner, business operator, or maintenance provider to ensure that automatic doors are properly installed, inspected, maintained, and repaired. If they neglect their responsibilities and an accident occurs, they may be held liable for damages through a product liability or premises liability lawsuit.
In the news:
Elevator door at popular tourist destination leaves 1 person dead and 4 others injured
On October 10, 2024, a tragic elevator accident at the historic Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine near Colorado Springs claimed the life of tour guide Patrick Weier, 46, and injured 4 others. According to WVTM 13, the elevator malfunctioned around 500 feet into its descent, prompting the operator to halt it after noticing unusual behavior.
Although the elevator remained operable, a broken door was discovered upon its return to the surface. The accident, attributed to mechanical issues, left Weier fatally injured and resulted in minor injuries for others, including neck and back pain.
Twelve visitors from a second group were trapped underground for 6 hours while engineers assessed the elevator’s safety, ultimately hoisting them up in small groups. The incident, which occurred during the mine’s final week of operations before its seasonal closure, is under investigation by local, state, and federal authorities.
What injuries can be caused by automatic doors?
Below are some common serious injuries that can result from automatic door malfunctions:
- Head injuries can happen when automatic doors close too rapidly or with excessive force. These impacts may cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or even skull fractures, especially in children or older adults.
- Crushed limbs or digits are a frequent result of hands, arms, or feet becoming trapped between malfunctioning doors. In extreme cases, the damage can lead to amputations, permanently affecting mobility and quality of life.
- Back and spine injuries may occur if a person is knocked over or pinned by a door that doesn’t detect their presence. These injuries can range from mild strains to severe spinal damage requiring surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
- Severe bruising and internal bleeding can be caused by the significant force of a malfunctioning door. These injuries may not be immediately visible but can result in lasting pain and medical complications.
- Fractures are common when someone is struck by or caught in an automatic door. Broken bones, particularly in the hands, arms, or legs, often require extensive treatment, including surgeries or the use of casts and physical therapy to recover.
Common Defenses Used by Personal Injury Defendants
Learn how to overcome common defense strategies to win your personal injury case in Columbia.
When can I file a lawsuit after an automatic door accident in South Carolina?
If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit after an automatic door injury, you’ll need to be able to prove that another party was responsible for your injury. This can be complicated and often requires the help of an attorney.
Why?
Because proving liability involves demonstrating that the responsible party was negligent and their negligence directly caused your injury. In South Carolina, this requires evidence that they failed to meet their duty of care—their legal obligation to ensure the safety of anyone lawfully on the property.
Here’s how this process typically works:
- Investigating the incident. An attorney can review maintenance records, security footage, and eyewitness accounts to identify what went wrong and who is responsible.
- Establishing negligence. They’ll need to show that the property owner, maintenance company, or manufacturer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm, such as repairing malfunctioning doors or addressing known safety issues.
- Connecting the injury to the accident. Medical documentation, expert testimony, and other evidence are essential to proving that your injuries were directly caused by the automatic door malfunction.
Filing a lawsuit also involves adhering to strict deadlines. In South Carolina, you typically only have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
However, building a strong case takes time, so it’s essential that you reach out to a local Columbia personal injury attorney as soon as possible to increase your chance of success.
What compensation can I get if I’m hurt by an automatic door?
In South Carolina, if you’ve sustained an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to various types of personal injury compensation, commonly referred to as “damages.” These can include the following:
- Medical expenses. Coverage for current and future medical bills, including surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and assistive devices.
- Lost wages. Reimbursement for income lost during recovery and potential compensation for reduced earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to work in the future.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the injury.
- Punitive damages. In cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct, additional compensation may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior.
It’s important to note that South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. According to this rule, if you’re found to be partially at fault for the incident, your compensation will be reduced proportionally.
For example, if you were awarded $50,000 in compensation but were 10% responsible for the accident, your final compensation would be $45,000, reflecting a 10% decrease due to your liability in the accident.
Additionally, you will be barred from recovering any compensation if you’re determined to be more than 50% at fault.
Given the complexities of personal injury claims and the need to accurately assess and pursue appropriate compensation, consulting with a personal injury attorney in South Carolina is highly recommended. They can provide guidance tailored to your situation and help protect your rights.
Injured by an automatic door in Columbia? Our personal injury lawyers can help!
For more than 30 years, the dedicated Columbia personal injury attorneys at Chappell, Chappell, and Newman have been standing up for people in Columbia who’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, working hard to help them get the compensation they need and deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious or catastrophic injury in an automatic door accident in South Carolina, we’re here to provide the experienced legal representation you need. Our team will thoroughly investigate your case and negotiate aggressively with the other party’s insurance company to get you maximum compensation for your claim.