NEW YORK CITY ELEVATOR ACCIDENT LAWYER

Millions of people use elevators every day. This is especially true in New York City where elevators are prevalent at home, work, when shopping, catching the metro, etc. In most cases, the elevator functions properly and safely delivers people to their desired destinations. However, in rare instances, something goes wrong and causes injuries. Though New York City has its own set of laws that govern the installation, maintenance, and inspection of elevators, there are always a few cases that fall between the cracks. Older buildings are more susceptible to having faulty elevators. Unfortunately, NYC has a lot of old elevators that are not properly maintained and result in numerous elevator injuries each year. If you or someone that you know has suffered elevator injuries, give the attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP a call to schedule your free consultation today.

What Qualifies as an Elevator?

In general, an elevator is defined as a car or cage within a building that is primarily used to transport people and/or items vertically in a building. The three types of elevators include manual (operated by an attendant), automatic (no attendant), and escalators. Escalators are not technically elevators. However, they are typically involved with the same types of liability cases and fall under most elevator laws.

Common Causes of Elevator Injuries

Elevator injuries can happen in all types of ways. After all, you are in a machine that weighs thousands of pounds and is traveling vertically. Listed below are some of the most common types of elevator accident claims:

• Elevator doors that close (or slam shut) without warning
• Free falling elevators that move suddenly without provocation
• Open elevator shafts in which a person falls into
• Elevators that become stuck between floors for a prolonged period of time
• Defective or dangerous designs or manufacturing techniques of the elevator
• Tripping hazards caused by an unbalanced leveling with the floor
• Electrocution due to exposed wires
• Elevator passengers colliding with each other because of unwarned stops or fast-moving elevators

Common Elevator Injuries

Elevator injuries can occur in any number of ways. When building, inspecting, or maintaining an elevator, companies have little room for error. If something goes wrong, it could mean severe injuries and even death for its passengers. Learn more about the most common elevator injuries below.

• Severely bruised and/or broken bones
• Severed limbs
• Elevator injuries resulting from being crushed
• Injuries to the spinal cord or back
• Head, neck, and shoulder injury
• Wrongful deaths

Who is Liable For Elevator Accidents?

Determining liability for elevator accidents is not always a simple process. It will typically depend on the nature of the accident. In some instances, elevator injuries are due to the fault of the passenger(s). However, this is a rare occasion. If you have sustained elevator injuries, it is important to work with a personal injury attorney that is experienced in the complex world of elevator law in NYC.  Listed below are parties that could be potentially liable for elevator injuries (should they occur):

• The owner and/or property management company of the building
• Subcontracted elevator maintenance companies
• Elevator designers and/or manufacturers
• Companies that install the elevators
• Elevator attendants (if a manual elevator)

Working With an Experienced Elevator Injuries Attorney

Elevator injuries can have a major negative impact on your life. Few things are worse than being injured in an elevator while coming home, going to work, attending a show, etc. Not only can it cause irreparable physical harm (including death), but it can also cause dramatic psychological issues like PTSD, stress, worry, fear, etc. New York City has strict elevator rules for a reason. They are one of the most used transportation systems in the entire city. If they are not properly manufactured, designed, installed, or maintained, it can be detrimental for anyone that gets on it. If you have suffered elevator injuries due to a malfunctioning elevator(including escalators), give the attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP a call to schedule your free initial consultation today.