Elevators can be convenient and useful for transporting people and goods up and down multiple-floor buildings. Like any mechanical equipment, however, there can be mishaps and malfunctions that result in injury or death to passengers as well as to the elevator maintenance workers.
The federal government estimates that 27 people die each year in elevator accidents and another 11,000 are injured. In addition, 244 of every 10,000 elevator installers and repairmen succumb to injury or death. This means that as many as 30 people are injured or killed each day by faulty elevators.
The West Palm Beach, Florida personal injury attorneys of Gordon & Partners, P.A., can offer crucial advice if you’ve been injured in an elevator accident. Contact us online or call us at 1 (855) 722-2552 so that we may assess your case, for free. our lawyers will determine who is at fault for your injury. If we find that you have a valid claim, we will work tirelessly to help you obtain the money you deserve for lost wages, medical bills, and your pain and suffering.
Elevators can be found in almost any building including malls, airports, apartment buildings, hospitals, department stores, and hotels. Elevator accidents occur despite the specific regulations governing elevator installation, the routine inspection and maintenance requirements, and the improvements made in elevators and their parts over the years.
Elevator accidents are categorized as “premises liability cases,” which result from property owners’ negligence, faulty equipment, poor maintenance and other unsafe conditions.
Common causes of elevator injuries include:
- The elevator suddenly drops or speeds up;
- The elevator gets stuck between floors;
- The elevator suddenly stops when arriving at a floor;
- The elevator fails to open or close the doors when expected;
- The elevator doors close on an embarking or debarking passenger;
- The elevator floor is not level with entryway floor, causing riders to trip when entering or exiting.
Brain damage, broken bones, back injuries, and wrongful death are all possible as a result of elevator malfunctions or negligence. Each of these events can lead to lost wages, high medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Three parties can potentially be held liable for elevator injuries:
- The manufacturer of the elevator or its parts;
- The service company that conducts the safety inspections;
- The property owner or manager of the building where the elevator is located.
The personal injury lawyer s of Gordon & Partners, P.A., can help you determine which party is at fault for your elevator accident and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost income, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Please contact Gordon & Partners, P.A. for our free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation. Complete our online contact form or call us toll free at 1 (855) 722-2552. We represent clients in West Palm Beach, Martin County, Stuart, Pembroke Pines and throughout Florida.