Personal Injury — Automated Door Accidents
Injured by an Automatic Door?
From Ilona’s Desk
Automatic Doors Are Everywhere.
Automatic Doors Are Everywhere.
So Are the Injuries They Cause.
Grocery stores, hospitals, hotels, airports, office buildings — automatic doors are so routine that most people never give them a second thought. Until one malfunctions. A door that closes too fast, opens without warning, or fails to detect a person in its path can cause broken bones, lacerations, head injuries, and worse — especially for children, the elderly, and anyone using a wheelchair or walker.
These accidents are almost never random. Behind them is usually a failure to maintain the equipment, a known defect that wasn’t addressed, or a manufacturer that cut corners. Property owners and businesses have a legal duty to keep their premises safe — and that includes every door on their property.
You walked through a door and got seriously hurt. That shouldn’t happen, and someone is responsible for making sure it doesn’t. Let’s find out who — and hold them accountable.
We Handle These Cases
Common Automated Door Injury Claims
Door Closing Too Quickly
A sensor that’s out of calibration or a closing speed set too fast. What takes a fraction of a second to malfunction can take months to recover from.
Sensor Failure — Door Doesn’t Detect You
The door closes on you because the motion or pressure sensor failed to register your presence. This is a maintenance and inspection failure — and entirely preventable.
Door Opens Unexpectedly
A malfunctioning door that swings open without warning can knock someone down, cause a fall, or send a person into traffic. The injury can happen in a split second.
Revolving Door Accidents
Revolving doors that spin too fast, trap a person, or malfunction mid-rotation are especially dangerous for children and older adults. Hotels and office buildings are common locations.
Injuries to Children and Elderly
Automated doors calibrated for average adults can be seriously dangerous for small children or anyone who moves more slowly. If a business failed to account for this, that’s negligence.
Defective Door Product Claims
Sometimes the equipment itself is the problem — a design flaw or manufacturing defect in the door system. In those cases, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may also apply.
After the Accident
7 Steps That Protect Your Claim
Businesses move quickly to repair faulty doors and erase any trace of a malfunction. Here’s how to protect your rights before the evidence disappears.
1
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if the injury seems minor at first — a blow to the head, a sudden fall, a pinched hand — get evaluated the same day. Some injuries worsen significantly over the following hours and days.
2
Report the Incident to the Business
Ask to speak with a manager and request that an incident report be filed. Get a copy before you leave — or at minimum, note the manager’s name, the date, and the time. This creates an official record the business can’t easily dispute later.
3
Photograph the Door and the Scene
Photos of the door, its sensors, any visible damage, warning signs — or the absence of them — and your injuries. Businesses often repair or replace faulty doors very quickly after an incident, so document everything before you leave.
4
Ask About Security Camera Footage
Most commercial locations have cameras near their entrances. Note the camera positions and formally request that footage be preserved. Businesses are not always required to hold it — and it can disappear fast if you don’t act.
5
Get Witness Information
Other customers, employees, or anyone nearby who saw what happened. A witness account from someone with no stake in the outcome is valuable — especially in a premises liability case.
6
Don’t Sign Anything the Business Offers
A manager may ask you to sign a form or accept a gift card or immediate payment. Don’t. These are often attempts to resolve liability before you know the full extent of your injuries. Call us first.
7
Keep All Records and Receipts
Medical bills, ER visit records, any follow-up care, prescription costs, and documentation of missed work. Keep the clothes you were wearing if they show evidence of the accident.
What You May Recover
A Malfunctioning Door Is a Premises
A Malfunctioning Door Is a Premises
Liability Issue — and Businesses Know It.
Property owners and businesses have a legal duty to maintain safe premises for anyone who enters. When an automated door injures a customer, an employee, or a visitor, that duty has been breached. These are premises liability cases — and businesses and their insurers are well aware of their exposure.
In states where our firm is licensed — California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, and Texas — people injured by faulty automated doors may be entitled to:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Future medical care and rehabilitation costs
- Compensation for permanent injury or disability
- Punitive damages in cases of known and ignored defects
Every case is different. Let’s sit down — free of charge — and I’ll give you an honest picture of what yours is worth.
$0
Upfront. Always.
Upfront. Always.
No Win, No Fee — Period.
You’re already dealing with enough. Our contingency fee model means we only get paid when you do. There’s no financial risk to getting the legal help you need right now.
Got Questions?
Automated Door Injury FAQ
Can I really file a claim over an automatic door injury?
Yes — and these cases are more common and more viable than most people expect. Businesses have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, and that includes every automated door on their property. If the door was defective, poorly maintained, or improperly calibrated, and you were injured as a result, you have a legitimate premises liability claim. The fact that it happened quickly doesn’t make it less serious.
What if the business claims the door was working fine?
That’s exactly what they’ll say. Security footage, maintenance logs, prior incident reports, and expert testimony on the door’s calibration can all tell a different story. Businesses are required to keep maintenance records on their equipment — and we know how to request and use them. The sooner you contact us, the more of this evidence we can preserve.
What if I didn’t report the accident to the store at the time?
It’s not ideal, but it doesn’t end your case. You can still report it after the fact, and your medical records, photos, and witness accounts can still support your claim. The most important thing now is to document everything you remember — dates, times, exactly what happened — and call us to discuss your options.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Premises liability statutes of limitations are typically two years in most states where we practice, running from the date of the injury. However, if the business is a government entity — a courthouse, post office, or public building — the deadline and process can be much shorter and more complex. Don’t wait to find out which applies to you.
My child was injured by an automatic door. What are my options?
Children are among the most commonly injured by automated doors — their smaller size and slower movement make them especially vulnerable to sensors calibrated for adults. As a parent or guardian, you can pursue a claim on your child’s behalf. In most states, the statute of limitations is also paused until the child turns 18, which gives families more time to act — but acting sooner is always better.
Can I claim against a manufacturer if the door was defective?
Yes. If the injury resulted from a design or manufacturing defect in the door system itself — rather than just poor maintenance — a product liability claim against the manufacturer may run alongside the premises liability claim. These cases can involve multiple defendants, and identifying all of them correctly from the start matters for maximizing your recovery.
Do you handle automated door injury cases in my state?
We’re licensed in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, and Texas. These are high-traffic commercial states with a significant volume of premises liability cases. If you were injured in any of those states, reach out — we’ll give you a clear, honest assessment of your situation.
Ready When You Are
Let’s Talk — Free, No Pressure,
Let’s Talk — Free, No Pressure,
No Obligation.
I know reaching out to an attorney can feel like a big step. It doesn’t have to be. Tell me what happened, and I’ll give you an honest picture of your options — no judgment, no sales pitch, just real guidance.
Available in English and Polish · No fees unless we win