Elevator Injury Lawsuits

Elevator hazards may be more common than you think. According to the CDC’s National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH), more than 17,000 injuries each year are attributed to unsafe elevators and escalators. Data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that up to 30 deaths are related to escalator and elevator accidents in the U.S. every year.

“At what point does this become criminal? Asks the father of a boy severely injured by an defect the elevator industry has known about for nearly three-quarters of a century. There’s a trail of dead children and documents showing industry notice, and an easy, relatively inexpensive post-installation fix. But will any manufacturer be compelled to offer it?

It is rarely considered that elevators pose serious risks. However, injuries and deaths reported throughout the nation may change your mind. The equipment involved in lifting people safety may be defective in design or manufacture, and it is possible for materials to fail under weight and pressure. Injuries in elevator accidents are likely to be severe, causing serious trauma, brain injury and death.

You and your children may be at risk. Find out why small children keep dying in elevators long after the problem and the solution was identified. The Safety Record Blog.” (Source: Safety, Research and Strategies, Inc.)

Joe Lyon is an experienced product liability lawyer and premises liability attorney reviewing elevator accident lawsuits for injured plaintiffs nationwide.

Personal injury claims can help compensate for medical expenses, pain and suffering and long term disability. 

Elevator Malfunction Lawsuits

Elevator accidents may be due to human error, though more often there is a defect or mechanical issue involved. Elevators are almost always the age of the building they are in, so the older the building, the older the elevator may be.

Sometimes in newer buildings, old used elevator models are installed to save money. This should not be an issue, though poorly maintained elevators can cause problems.

Common elevator defects may include:

• Pulley system error or defect
• Power disruption
• Mechanical breakdown
• Opening elevator shaft
• Faulty doors
• Faulty wiring
• Electrocution risks
• Incomplete or improper repairs
• Lack of Inspections
• Inspections by unqualified staff
• Unbalanced leveling
• Lack of safety features
• Intercom malfunctions

Power failures are probably the most common source of elevator accidents. During a power failure, passengers can be dropped or injured within the carriage. Sudden stops may occur as a result of power failure or due to a poorly programmed elevator.

Poorly maintained machinery is a concern. Escalators and elevators are complex machines that require regular maintenance to ensure they function properly. Motors, cables, pulleys, motion detectors, intercoms, programming, and other parts can break down and require repairs.

Elevator Safety & Injury Prevention

The CDC has provided recommendations to prevent elevator and escalator accidents injuries for passengers and workers. Seeing as many elevator accidents are work-related, the CDC stresses workplace protective practices and extensive training.

During elevator repairs or maintenance, it is recommended that all power is shut off. De-energizing and locking out electrical circuits is critical when elevators and escalators are out of service or being repaired.

Signage is also important so nobody attempts to use elevators or escalators when they are being serviced. Employers should be providing full fall protection equipment during work in or near elevator shafts. Landlords and employers must have an adequate scheduled inspection and maintenance program. Employers should use only qualified staff for escalator and elevator maintenance.

Elevator Accidents & Escalator Hazards

Escalator hazards and elevator accident lawsuits may stem from the result of faulty manufacturing, poor maintenance, or other factors that leave the equipment in a dangerous state. Landlords and property owners may be liable in premises liability lawsuits for any injuries that result from elevator accidents.

Injuries related to an escalator hazard or elevator accident lawsuits may include traumatic brain injuries, neck and spinal injuries, crush injuries, bone fractures, burns, and various orthopedic trauma injuries. If you have or a loved one has been injured, contact the Lyon Firm.

When the landlord, owner or management of a building fails to maintain their property and someone is injured, they may be held accountable for the injury and whatever damages result.

Most elevator accidents and injuries are caused by door malfunction, carriage/floor misalignment with floors, and a lack of passenger safety warnings. Most elevator passenger deaths occur in apartment units, where the malfunction may be due to a lack of maintenance.

Elevator accidents may occur when victims are trapped between the elevator and shaft wall, due to defective wiring, pulley system errors, improper door operation, or a lack of maintenance procedures.

Elevator companies like Thyssen AG, Otis, and Schindler have faced injury claims after preventable elevator accidents occurred. The CPSC does not regulate elevator manufacturers, and companies must self-regulate the safety of their products.

Plaintiffs and victims of elevator accidents who have suffered serious injuries and other losses may file landlord negligence, product liability and premises liability lawsuits.