Shanghai court awards boy escalator victim $15,000

A 4-year-old boy has won a lawsuit over an incident where his foot became stuck in an escalator at a shopping mall in Shanghai.

Pudong New Area People's Court ruled that a wholesale firm dealing in household necessities, and which operates the mall, must pay 94,000 yuan ($15,000) to cover medical expenses, mental damage and disability compensation. The company was charged with being responsible for the child's injuries.

The accident happened on July 4 when the boy went to the mall with his grandmother to choose his birthday present.

The escalator suddenly stopped due to a malfunction, trapping the boy's left foot for about an hour before firefighters and a rescue team freed him.

His injuries included torn tissue and deep cuts. He was later found to have a minor disability in his foot.

The attorney representing the boy said the mall operators were negligent in failing to ensure the escalator, which is more than 10 years old, is safe and had also failed to put up notices or warning signs. The suit claimed general damages and other costs of 104,000 yuan.

The company said the escalator was maintained annually and the accident happened because the boy's grandmother did not take reasonable care of him.