In the United States, more than 30 victims die, and 17,000 injuries occur every year in elevator accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you were one of those injured, please read on, then contact an experienced New York City premises liability attorney to discuss what you should know about elevator accidents in New York City.
What you should know about elevator accidents in New York City
Skyscrapers define the landscape of New York City. They come in many forms: office buildings, hospitals, condos, malls, airports, dorms, parking garages and more. Tall buildings necessitate the presence of elevators for those who want to or need to avoid stairs. But they present a hazard to unwary passengers. If you’ve sustained injuries in an elevator accident, you can hold the property owners liable for injuries or deaths occurring on their premises, which result from negligent maintenance. In case of design or production defects, you can hold manufacturers liable. And lastly, you can hold installers and inspectors accountable for improper or inadequate procedures. Keep in mind that in most instances you have three years, from the date of the accident, to file a claim. However, the statute of limitations depends on your case’s unique details.
What are the most common causes of injuries in elevator accidents in New York City?
Many elevator accidents are entirely preventable if proper precautions are taken. The most common causes for elevator accidents are as follows:
- Misleveling (when an elevator fails to stop at the floor’s level)
- Excessive speed
- Lack of proper maintenance and safety inspections
- Defective doors
- Falls into elevator shafts
- Faulty wiring
- Dangerous design
What do you need to prove in your premises liability claim in New York City?
To prove your premises liability claim in New York City, you will need to prove that you were in the elevator lawfully, hazardous conditions existed, the premises owner was negligent in dealing with the hazardous conditions and that he or she did not take reasonable steps to prevent or rectify the dangerous conditions. This evidence should be in the form of photographs, videos, witness statements and incident reports. Obtaining all of that will require time and expertise that you may not possess. If so, you need to reach out to a skilled New York City personal injury attorney to learn more about this process and how we can help you.
Contact Our New York City Firm
If you have been injured in a New York City accident, Swerling Law is here to help. Our firm understands the challenges that many people face after being hurt in an accident and is prepared to help you receive an award of significant compensation to ease some of your burdens. To schedule a consultation with an experienced construction site accident attorney in New York City, contact Swerling Law today.
