People who live and work in New York City rely on elevators every day to get where we have to go. We may even take them for granted, without considering that an elevator is a complex mechanism that requires constant maintenance to function properly.
Elevator maintenance and repair is highly regulated, but sometimes accidents happen. When they do, the results can be devastating, often resulting in serious injury or death for elevator passengers. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an elevator accident, you have the right to reach out to an experienced New York elevator accident attorney to discuss your eligibility for compensation.
What Causes Elevator Accidents?
Most elevator accidents are caused by negligence. Somewhere along the line, someone who was responsible for keeping people safe failed to fulfill their duties. That’s why your personal injury attorney will investigate the accident to pinpoint the cause. Factors that frequently contribute to an elevator accident include:
- Mechanical breakdown
- Defective elevator doors
- Platform collapse
- Poor design
- Faulty writing
- Power failure
- Improper installation
- Inadequate maintenance
- Pully system malfunction
Determining Liability After an Elevator Accident
Once your attorney has determined the cause of the accident, they will work to identify all negligent parties. Any of the following people may be held liable for an elevator accident:
- Manufacturers. Anyone who creates a product is legally responsible for making sure it’s safe and reliable. This is particularly important for elevators because when they don’t work properly, the results can be devastating. All the people involved in building the elevator or any of its components may be held liable for negligence.
- Design and engineering firms are required to meet reasonable safety standards.
- Maintenance services must perform regular inspection and repairs that include monitoring and resolving problems that may lead to an accident.
- Property owners. It’s ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that elevators are properly installed and all mechanical issues are resolved in a timely manner. That means ensuring that elevators are maintained by qualified personnel in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification and local and federal laws. It’s also essential that whenever there is a mechanical issue, the elevator is taken out of service until the problem is resolved.
Injuries Caused by Elevator Accidents
Elevator accidents often result in severe injuries, which may include:
- Head and brain injuries (TBI)
- Crush injuries
- Loss of limb
- Broken bones
- Neck, back, and spine injuries
- Bruises and lacerations
- Internal organ damage
- Electrocution
- Wrongful death
Recovering Damages After an Elevator Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an elevator accident caused by another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. This may include the cost of your medical care, rehabilitation, lost wages, emotional distress, and other considerations.
Let the compassionate NYC injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP take care of your legal concerns while you focus on getting better. Call (212) 986-7353 today to learn more.