Believe it or not elevator accidents occur every day. Although riding an elevator might be part of
your daily routine, it is important to pay attention to what’s going on around you before you step
on or off the elevator. Elevator accidents can be quite serious leading to life altering injuries or
even death. When an accident occurs it’s important to speak to an elevator accident lawyer to
find out if you can seek compensation.
Common Causes of Elevator Accidents
There are many factors that can contribute to elevator accidents including:
● Defects due to issues with the production and assembly of the elevator
● Elevator malfunctions due to improper installation, repairs, or maintenance
● Improper care, inspections, and maintenance
● Elevator misuse by operators or fellow passengers
● Failure to shut down an elevator being repaired
● Failure to flag open elevator shafts
● Lack of training for onsite staff
Understanding the cause is important to establish negligence.
How Do I Prove an Accident Occurred?
An elevator accident lawyer will trace potential defects to the manufacture to help establish
negligence. If the accident was caused due to improper installation or repairs, the issue could
be due to the elevator service company’s negligence. You might also be entitled to
compensation from the building owners or managers or a passenger or operator who caused
the accident.
All of these possibilities are explored by your elevator injury lawyer to help form a viable case
targeting the right defendant. This is the best way to ensure you receive the compensation you
deserve. Once the negligent party(s) is identified your lawyer puts together the case and files
the complaint on your behalf.
Why You Might Not Be Responsible
In some cases, you might feel you were responsible for your injuries. However, malfunctioning
elevators can lead to accidents that might not otherwise occur. For example, elevators that are
not properly installed might not line up properly when the doors open which can cause a dip or
lip that causes you to trip or fall. Your elevator accident lawyer investigates potential causes to
rule out scenarios that could find you responsible. When negligence is discovered, you have
good reason to file a claim against the party responsible.
How Do I Know Who to Sue?
As mentioned above, your elevator accident lawyer will help determine if negligence caused
your accident. The party to sue could be the manufacturer, building managers or owners,
elevator service providers, site workers, or even a passenger operating the elevator unsafely.
You can explain who you feel is at fault based on how the incident occurred, and your lawyer
can investigate to find proof to support your claim.
How Will My Elevator Accident Lawyer Help?
In hand with the investigation to establish who was at fault, your elevator accident lawyer can
also assist with the following:
● Filing your claim
● Negotiating for the compensation you deserve
● Explaining your rights
● Gathering evidence including medical documents
● Speaking to eyewitnesses
● Acting as a liaison with your insurance company
● Providing subject matter experts to support your case
● Going to trial if a settlement is not reached
Turn to Malley to get the compensation you deserve. If you would like to speak to an elevator accident lawyer, set up your free consultation with Malley Law Firm today.
