Suffer an Injury on an Elevator?

Any personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, State of California, will acknowledge that there are many buildings including high-rise buildings that have elevators and while they are safer than ever before, because of technology injuries can still occur. There are many people that are injured yearly that work on or near elevators; these injuries are often severe injuries. Passengers on elevators also are injured and these injuries can be severe.

When you are injured in an elevator accident and need the experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney, our personal injury attorneys have the experience and can help the elevator injury victim.

Statistics prove the dangers of working around or on elevators:

  • Statistics show there has been at least 21 people a year have been killed due to working around elevators or on them during a nine-year period.
  • In the construction industry the installers or repairpersons for elevators rate the fifth highest place for work related injuries or deaths.
  • A study done over a seven-year period by the George Washington University showed the injuries sustained when injured by an elevator were traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, cuts and sprains.
  • During a ten-year period from 1992 through 2001 there were 207 wrongful deaths related to elevators, which equals approximately 21 deaths per year, of these deaths 146 involved people that worked on or in elevators. There were 61 people riding, entering or exiting elevators that were killed.
  • During a six-year period there were 83 deaths that occurred while installing or repairing elevators. There were 27 deaths that occurred while working on elevator shafts or cars, and there were 36 deaths while working next to an elevator.
  • Injuries and deaths are reportedly due to being struck by an object in elevator accidents.

These statistics show that elevator accidents are often fatal including in the state of California if you are injured or a family member is injured or dies because of an elevator accident while employed in the elevator industry it can be as a result of negligence by the contractor or employer. In California it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney, they can clearly state all the facts of the injury case for the injured victim or their family to receive compensation.

Negligence that can be attributed to the manufacturer can include:

  • Prior to placing the elevator on the market not testing and inspecting for defects
  • Design flaws in the elevator and its equipment.
  • Failing to warn of risks and hazards related to the elevator.

The owner or building manager is required to keep the elevator up to code for safety and inspections and can be sued when negligent. They can also be sued if they do not implement emergency or rescue plans for elevator emergencies, along with training of employees.

The service company can also be held liable for elevators that are not maintained or are flawed. They can also be held responsible for defective repairs and not keeping maintenance records up to date.

In the state of California if you or a family member are involved in an elevator accident it is important to seek the assistance of an experience personal injury attorney. It is also important not to speak with or sign any documents from insurance companies.