What to Do When You Are in an Elevator Accident
May 7, 2020 in Blog
A common question that many individuals ponder when in an elevator: What would happen if we got stuck in this elevator and couldn’t get out? Or, even worse, what would happen if the elevator suddenly crashed? Regardless of the safety precautions taken or the age of the building, the potential for elevator accidents to occur still exists, and can cause grave injuries and even death. Here, the New York City premises liability attorneys at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. discuss the potential for elevator accidents, how to seek professional counsel if injured and the process SPBMCC takes to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Elevator Accident Responsibility and Obligations
When it comes to designating responsibility in elevator accidents, it is important to understand that property owners, building managers and elevator manufacturing companies all play a role in the safety of elevator conditions. The faulty construction of elevators from the construction or manufacturing company can lead to injuries from accidents due to their negligence. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, there is an average of six deaths per year from elevator accidents, as well as thousands of injuries and hospital visits. Furthermore, while the original construction and manufacturing of elevators may be fine, negligence on the part of property managers to seek continuous maintenance can lead to the eventual decline and collapse of the elevator if not properly taken care of. It is the responsibility of these parties to ensure that elevators are constructed, maintained and adequately monitored to ensure the safety of consumers and building occupants.
How Professional Counsel Can Help Your Case
At SPBMCC, our top priority is ensuring that you and your loved ones receive proper compensation for the physical, mental and financial harm that these elevator accidents have caused. As part of our thorough investigation process, we employ experienced elevator experts to analyze the cause of the accident and obtain Court Orders to allow us to test and examine the elevator, all to ascertain elevator accident responsibility. Oftentimes, more than one party is responsible for the elevator malfunction. By seeking professional counsel in this process, you can alleviate the stress and concern of financial concerns from medical bills, and obtain the compensation you deserve. Additionally, seeking the help of an attorney such as those at SPBMCC can provide you with additional information and resources for proving your case in a court of law.
SPBMCC Has Obtained Millions of Dollars in Compensation for Clients
Over the years, SPBMCC has obtained millions of dollars for our clients as a result of injuries sustained in elevator accidents. In recent years, we obtained a $14 million settlement for a client who was a passenger in an elevator that stopped suddenly when one of the elevator’s cables broke, causing the elevator to halt very abruptly. The sudden stop injured our client’s neck, and we alleged that the ensuing complications of his surgery were permanent. The $14 million settlement included compensation for both the past and future pain and suffering he endured as a result of the elevator accident. Because of the many intricacies of elevator accidents, seeking help from qualified attorneys such as those at SPBMCC will help you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about the settlements we have obtained for our clients and discuss how the premises liability attorneys at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. can help you, contact our New York or New Jersey offices today.