We get in and out of elevators numerous times – at the mall, the train station or at the office. Unfortunately, there are a number of ways that an elevator may malfunction and cause injuries to occupants. While this type of an accident is not that common, it can happen and the resulting injuries can be serious. Anyone who has suffered an injury while riding an elevator would be well advised to seek advice and guidance from a skilled premises liability attorney.
The two main causes of New York elevator accidents are mechanical malfunctions and inadequate maintenance. Property owners who cut corners on elevator maintenance put their visitors at great risk. Elevator systems have been known to fail. Occupants may become trapped in the elevator during a fire. There have also been tragic elevator accidents where the pulley mechanism fails and the elevator plunges down the shaft. Such incidents can definitely result in major injuries or even death.
In some instances the victims may not even have been riding the elevator at the time of the accident. Some victims of elevator accidents step into open shafts. When elevators are not working properly or if they are under construction or maintenance, it is crucial that residents and visitors are warned of the situation and that open shafts are clearly marked. When elevators are not properly maintained, there is also the possibility that it will have too large a gap between the floor and the interior of the elevator. Unsuspecting visitors may not notice the gap or change in elevation and experience a painful falling accident. In order to hold a property owner accountable for the injuries suffered in an elevator accident, the victim will have to prove that the incident occurred as a direct result of the owner’s negligence.
The experienced New York personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have represented and helped numerous victims of elevator accidents as well as other accidents related to poorly maintained properties. If you or a loved one has been injured, please do not hesitate to call our offices at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) for a free and comprehensive consultation. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com