Sliding Glass Door Accident Lawsuit

Sliding glass doors are a common feature in hotels, apartments, cruise ships, and retail properties across the United States. While they make spaces more accessible and visually appealing, they can also be dangerous if poorly designed, improperly maintained, or defective. Every year, people are injured in sliding glass door accidents caused by shattering glass, malfunctioning automatic doors, and sensor failures.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a sliding glass door accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we represent victims of product liability, premises liability, and cruise injury cases nationwide. Call us at (800) 337-7755 for a free consultation. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

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Common Types of Sliding Glass Door Accidents

Sliding glass doors can fail in different ways. Some of the most common accidents include:

1. Shattering Glass

• Doors made with tempered glass may shatter into thousands of pieces. While less likely to cause deep lacerations than traditional glass, it can still cut skin and cause eye injuries.
• If the glass was not properly tempered or laminated, it may break into sharp shards, causing severe lacerations.

2. Malfunctioning Automatic Doors

• Automatic sliding doors in hotels, retail stores, and cruise ships use sensors to detect people approaching. If the sensor fails, the door can slam shut on someone.
• Malfunctioning motors or timing systems may cause the door to close too quickly or with excessive force.

3. Pinch and Crush Injuries

• Fingers, hands, or feet may become trapped in the door’s track.
• Children are especially at risk of pinch point injuries.

4. Poor Maintenance

• Dirt, debris, or lack of lubrication in the track may prevent the door from sliding properly, leading to jams or sudden movements.
• Broken locks can cause security risks, leading to assaults or falls if someone tries to force the door open.

5. Cruise Ship Sliding Door Accidents

• Cruise ship passengers have filed lawsuits after being injured by automatic sliding glass doors that closed on them due to sensor malfunctions.
• These cases often involve maritime law and require attorneys familiar with cruise line litigation.

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Injuries From Sliding Glass Door Accidents

Sliding glass door accidents can cause a range of injuries, including:

• Severe lacerations requiring stitches or surgery.
• Eye injuries from flying glass shards.
• Broken bones or crushed hands/feet.
• Head trauma or concussions if struck by a malfunctioning door.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Psychological trauma, particularly for children.

In the most serious cases, accidents can result in wrongful death.

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Who Can Be Held Liable in a Sliding Glass Door Accident?

Several parties may be responsible depending on the cause of the accident:

• Property owners and managers – for failing to maintain doors safely.
• Hotels and apartment complexes – for using unsafe or outdated sliding glass doors.
• Cruise lines – for defective automatic sliding doors on ships.
• Manufacturers – for selling defective sliding door systems.
• Installers and contractors – for improper installation.

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Legal Theories in Sliding Glass Door Lawsuits

Product Liability

If the sliding glass door was defectively designed, manufactured, or lacked proper safety features (like laminated glass or reliable sensors), the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.

Premises Liability

If a hotel, apartment complex, or retail store failed to maintain the doors properly or ignored known hazards, victims may bring a premises liability claim.

Negligence

If an installer or maintenance contractor failed to do their job reasonably, they may be held liable for negligence.

Maritime Law

For cruise ship accidents, federal maritime law applies. These cases are often filed in Miami federal court against cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Celebrity.

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Compensation Available in Sliding Glass Door Cases

Victims of sliding glass door accidents may recover damages for:

• Medical bills – Emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation.
• Future medical expenses – Scar revision, physical therapy, or reconstructive surgery.
• Lost wages – If injuries prevented you from working.
• Loss of earning capacity – For long-term or permanent impairments.
• Pain and suffering – Physical pain and emotional trauma.
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement damages.
• Wrongful death damages – For families of victims killed in sliding glass door accidents.

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Steps to Take After a Sliding Glass Door Accident

1. Seek medical care immediately – Even minor cuts can lead to infection.
2. Take photos – Document the door, the surrounding area, and your injuries.
3. Preserve evidence – If possible, save broken glass pieces or take video of the malfunctioning door.
4. Report the incident – Notify hotel staff, property management, or cruise ship personnel.
5. Get witness information – Names and contact info of anyone who saw the accident.
6. Call a sliding glass door accident lawyer – Before dealing with insurance companies or property owners.

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Example Scenarios

• A tourist at a Miami Beach hotel suffers deep cuts when the balcony sliding glass door shatters unexpectedly.
• A Tampa shopper is struck by malfunctioning automatic sliding doors at a retail store, suffering a concussion.
• A passenger aboard a Carnival Cruise ship suffers a broken hip when automatic sliding doors close on her due to a faulty sensor.
• A New York tenant in an apartment complex is cut by untempered glass in an outdated sliding door that should have been replaced.

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Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin

• We’ve handled over 6,500 accident and injury cases nationwide.
• We can represent victims in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and nationwide, as well as cruise passengers worldwide.
• We work on a contingency fee basis – no fees or costs unless we win.
• We understand the intersection of product liability, premises liability, and maritime law.

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FAQs – Sliding Glass Door Accident Lawsuits

Is a shattering sliding glass door always a lawsuit?
Not always. But if the door wasn’t made with required safety glass, or the property owner failed to replace known hazards, you may have a strong case.

Can I sue a cruise line for sliding door injuries?
Often, Yes. Cruise lines generally have a duty to maintain safe premises, including automatic sliding doors. These cases are usually filed in Miami federal court against certain cruises. You have to look at the cruise passenger contract for their venue requirement.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

• Florida: 2 years.
• New York: 3 years.
• New Jersey: 2 years.
• Cruise ship cases: often just 1 year under passenger ticket contracts.

What if my child was hurt by a sliding glass door?
Parents may bring claims on behalf of children for medical bills, scarring, and pain and suffering.

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Speak With a Sliding Glass Door Accident Lawyer

Sliding glass doors should make life easier, not more dangerous. If you or your child were injured by a defective or poorly maintained sliding glass door, you may be entitled to compensation.

Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 or start a free chat for a free consultation. You won’t pay fees or costs unless we recover money for you.