Elevator Accident Information

A guide for Elevator Accidents, including the causes of Elevator Accidents and Injuries, an overview of Product Liability Law as it pertains to Elevator Accidents, a guide to determining fault, and information on the statute of limitations.

Understanding Elevator Accidents · Causes of Elevator Accidents · Product Liability Law · Statute of Limitations

Understanding Elevator Accidents

Elevators are complicated pieces of machinery that are used everyday throughout the nation as a mode of transportation for people and goods. Elevators can be found in shopping malls, hospitals, schools, hotels, and apartment buildings. In addition, they are commonly used by construction workers at mining sites and other construction sites. Elevators are especially helpful for people who have difficulty walking up and down stairs because of physical problems. Although elevator accidents are relatively uncommon, they can have devastating effects on victims, including head injuries, back injuries, bone fractures, tendon and nerve lacerations, and even death in the most severe cases. Elevator accidents can happen to any one of the countless numbers of people who use elevators everyday, including young children, the elderly, construction workers, and elevator maintenance workers. Some elevator accidents may be grounds for premises liability cases because it is the responsibility of building owners and managers to make sure that all elevators and escalators are properly maintained and inspected for use by their tenants, employees, and visitors. In other cases, a product defect was the cause of an elevator accident and products liability laws are applied. Elevator accident lawyers specialize in this area of law and are best suited to handling your elevator accident case and ensuring that you are justly compensated for any damages you have suffered.

Causes of Elevator Accidents

Elevator accidents can be caused by a number of different factors, including:

Elevator gets stuck Elevator misses a floor in building Elevator does not open level with the floor Elevator suddenly speeds up or slows down Elevator passengers trip while entering or exiting Closing elevator doors hit people Elevator doors open onto empty shafts Elevator plummets down the shaft Mechanical break down or faulty pulley system allows the elevator to fall freely down the car passage Unbalanced leveling causes the elevator to not line up as it should with the floor Uncovered elevator shaft causes falls Entrapment between the elevator’s car and its side wall Entrapment inside an elevator for a long period (can cause asphyxiation) Faulty elevator wiring may cause accidental electrocution Sudden jerks and halts cause riders to lose their balance and fall

Product Liability Law

If a defect is discovered in the design, construction, or manufacturing of an elevator or its components, the manufacturer may be responsible for injuries suffered and held answerable for the damages. Liability for an elevator accident caused by a product defect would be determined under product liability law.

Manufacturers can be sued and found liable for faulty and defective elevators under the following conditions:

Failure to inspect or test the elevator before placing it on the market Creating a flaw in the product Failure to discover that an elevator could be dangerous Failure to warn or adequately warn of a risk or hazard associated with an elevator

In elevator accident lawsuits, the use of expert testimony is vital. The expert's knowledge and insight can be invaluable in establishing a successful elevator accident claim. With the help of an expert, an elevator accident can determine whether the elevator manufacturer was at fault or if another party is liable.

Statute of Limitations

In order to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation for the injuries suffered in your elevator accident, you must file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. The statute of limitations is a time limit that governs the period in which an injury victim can file a lawsuit. After this period expires, you lose your right to bring a claim in connection with your elevator accident. The statute of limitations for elevator accident claims varies, depending on the circumstances of accident and the state in which the accident happened. In order to ensure that the statute of limitations on your elevator accident case does not run out, it is advisable to contact an elevator accident lawyer as soon as possible.

All content on Accidents.com is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended as legal or medical advice. Please seek advice from a professional on any related topics.

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