Handicap Ramp Accident

Ramps utilize one of the most basic and essential simple tools known to society – the inclined plane. By gently sloping from a tall height down to a lower height, ramps enable those unable to walk and confined to walkers or wheelchairs go from areas of high elevation to lower elevation while still maintaining their independence. When these ramps fail, they can cause serious injuries to those who rely on them. If you or a loved one has been injured in a ramp accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP today.

Ramps come in many different varieties and are used for various practical uses for both senior citizens and those with limited mobility due to illness, physical injuries or other debilitating conditions. There are ramps that enable people to enter their home or businesses, ramps to let people into accessible vans, ramps that provide access to outdoor space and ramps that provide access to airplanes.

Any of these ramps has the potential to cause injury should they malfunction, especially if they malfunction with somebody on top of them. These incidents can be especially traumatic and cause serious injuries, as those relying on ramps are often already in a physically compromised state where a fall from a height can cause them considerable damage – even death.

Ramp injuries can occur in various ways, including mechanical failure of the ramp or a failure to maintain a safe surface on the ramp that enables safe usage of the ramp.

For example, if a ramp was installed improperly that is to be used daily as a means for an elderly individual to gain access to their home, this could result in a sudden catastrophic failure of the ramp during normal usage. Perhaps multiple screws or bolts weren’t tightened to sufficiency, or the ramp was not graded for the proper amount of weight. Perhaps the ramp did not meet safety specifications but was installed anyways. The ramp installer or producer could be liable in this instance.

In other cases, ramps may become slippery hazards if they aren’t properly protected against the elements. Most ramps have surfaces with some kind of grip – whether it is a rubber kind of composite or a sandpaper-like surface that prevents slippage. Ramps utilized outdoors should be able to withstand weather elements like rain and snow, without becoming dangerously slippery. A slip and fall injury can be devastating to senior citizens and those with health complications.

Some ramps utilize hydraulic lifts to pick up senior citizens or those confined to wheelchairs and deliver them into handicap-accessible vehicles. As with any hydraulic device, malfunctions are possible and can cause the ramps to fail and fall, leading to a potentially serious injury for the person utilizing the ramp. In such instances, ramp manufacturers will have to answer to us.

When working with items such as handicap ramps, the utmost attention to detail and safety precautions is simply necessary to ensure that those who rely on these devices are able to do so in a way that doesn’t put them at risk of an injury. Failing to do so may constitute negligence, and it may leave the ramp manufacturer or installer liable in a personal injury claim.

At Altman & Altman LLP, we have over 50 years of experience helping our clients from Boston, Cambridge and throughout Massachusetts get the legal guidance they need to pursue claims against responsible parties who contributed to an injury, which may have resulted in significant medical expenses or time missed and money lost from being unable to work.

While there is no guarantee on if a claim will succeed, we guarantee to give you the best possible chance to succeed in your claim. Contact us online or call for a free consultation to go over the details of your case today at 617.492.3000 or toll-free at 800.481.6199. We are available 24/7.