Paramus Sues Inspection Company in Wake of Escalator Accident

Juliana Valdez, 10, lost two toes in an escalator accident at the Macy’s store in the Garden State Plaza in August.

The borough of Paramus is not facing a lawsuit, nor is Municipal Inspection Corporation (MIC), the Bayonne-based inspection company responsible for maintenance. However, in an effort to cover their bases, the borough is suing MIC based on their belief that the escalator should have been shut down.

On Aug. 16 the escalator “swallowed” Valdez’s foot.  According to a report by The Record, state records reflect that a temporary certificate that allowed the escalator to operate expired on July 31.

A Superior Court judge enforced a restraining order, asked for by the borough, preventing MIC from performing any inspections for Paramus.

“Our review of the files showed some things that we were concerned about,” said Paramus Mayor Richard Labarbiera. “They failed to notify us of the accident in a proper way and they failed to notify us about the deficiencies and re-inspection.“

Municipal Inspections Corporation told the Department of Community Affairs in a letter that a Macy’s manager prevented the completion of an escalator inspection in late September, said the report.

“We’re not making any claims that there is any connection between the deficiencies with the escalator were the cause of the accident,” said Labarbiera. “We had a service agreement with MIC and they failed to perform. That was the basis for our complaint.”