Many of us use elevators on a daily basis. They provide a quick and convenient way to go up or down many floors. Most of us don’t think about safety issues when riding in elevators. However, 27 people die each year as the result of elevator accidents and 10,200 more are injured. These numbers include both passengers on elevators, and those who work on them.
Injuries from elevators may include broken or sprained bones, as well as damage to the nerves, spinal cord, brain or back. They may be caused a few different ways such as from falling into the elevator shaft, or between the shaft and the doors; a sudden plummet; or doors closing on a limb or clothing. An elevator may also be the location of a slip and fall accident if there is liquid or moisture on the floor, from food, drink, or weather.
Injuries can result from negligence on the part of the premise owner if they failed to make a necessary repair or properly maintain the elevator. If a premise owner knew of a condition that was in need of repair, but failed to repair it, they could be held liable for negligence. A premise owner has a duty of reasonable care to ensure the safety of those who enter. Negligence arises when this duty is breached. Injuries can also be caused by a manufacturing defect in the elevator. Malfunctions may arise due to defects in the pulley system, springs, wiring, or doors.
Construction workers also face a special risk of elevator injury due to the hazards inherent in installing or maintaining elevators. Between 1992 and 2003, nearly half of construction worker deaths nationwide related to elevators were caused by falls into the shaft. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires specific safety equipment for construction workers who are working with elevators, such as the use of a fall restraint, to avoid such tragedies.
If you have been injured in an elevator accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal remedies. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering. Call Ernest Holzberg & Associates at (212) 391-1139.
