Elevators are a part of many of our everyday lives, and we seldom, if ever, imagine an accident happening while taking one. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and when they do, people can sustain serious injuries. That said, you shouldn’t have to fight for the compensation you need to get your life back on track on your own. Our firm is here to help. Contact a competent Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer from Friedman Schuman today to learn more about elevator accidents and how we can help if you or a loved one has been harmed in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What are some of the most common causes of elevator accidents?
There is a wide range of defects that can lead to serious injuries in elevators. Some of the most common causes of elevator accidents and injuries are as follows:
- Contaminated lubrication/oil
- Defective doors, opening or closing at the wrong time, trapping passengers
- Defective pulleys
- Power failures
- Worn sheaves
- Bearing malfunctions
- Misaligned motor drive
- Power supply failures
- Electrocutions
- Unbalanced leveling
- Moving up and down at excessive speeds
Who is responsible for an elevator accident?
When elevators malfunction, a wide range of parties may be responsible. You’ll need a competent elevator accident lawyer to investigate and determine who is truly liable, but some of the parties that may be responsible are as follows:
- Property Owners: Property owners are responsible for ensuring their premises are safe for all those who use them. When they fail to ensure elevators are regularly serviced/maintained, or when they ignore complaints of defects in elevators and people are injured, they may be held responsible for any accidents that occur.
- Elevator Repairmen: Sometimes elevator repairmen or servicemen will make mistakes or perform inadequate inspections of elevators, thereby either causing them to become unsafe or failing to notice certain unsafe elevator conditions.
- Designers/Manufacturers: Elevator part designers or manufacturers may sometimes be accountable for accidents when their parts don’t work as they should.
If you were hurt in an elevator accident, our firm can assess the circumstances of the incident, and, from there, determine the liable party and fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled. If you have any further questions or believe you have a valid claim, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call or contact us online today.
