Elevators are commonplace in the city of Jacksonville, which is why most of us don’t think twice when we board them. However, elevators can quickly become dangerous if insufficiently maintained, and if you are someone who has been injured in an elevator accident, you most likely now require financial compensation to heal. Continue reading and contact a knowledgeable Jacksonville personal injury attorney here at Ansbacher Law to learn more about elevator accidents and how our firm can help if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What Causes Elevator Accidents in Florida?
Though on the surface, they may not see it, elevators are very complex machines with many working parts, and sometimes, all it can take is for one thing to go wrong for a serious accident to occur.
Common Causes of Elevator Accidents
- Pulley system malfunctions
- Doors opening or closing prematurely
- Mis-leveling
- Traveling at unsafe speeds
- Improper wiring
- Negligent elevator design/manufacturing
- Failure to maintain the elevator/have it serviced
- Faulty wiring and electrical malfunctions
- Code violations
- Worn-out and old mechanical elements
- Door sensor malfunctions, causing entrapment or crush injuries
What Should I Do After an Elevator Accident?
In Florida, elevator accident claims are generally the result of a property owner, manager, or third party’s failure to inspect, maintain, design, or install an elevator, resulting in injuries.
If you are involved in an elevator accident, after calling emergency services to the scene, you should attempt to document the incident as best as you can. This includes asking any witnesses or other passengers for their contact information, taking pictures or videos of the accident/its aftermath, ensuring that you receive immediate medical attention, and more. You should then speak with an experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorney who can fight for your rightful compensation.
Immediate Steps to Protect Your Claim
- Call emergency services and request immediate medical attention
- Allow EMT’s to examine you, even if you feel fine or injuries seem minor
- Take photos and videos of the scene, including the hazard or defect, control panel, visible injuries, and the elevator from multiple angles
- Gather the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur
- Report the incident to the building owner or manager
- Keep all medical records, incident reports, and any communications with insurers
- Do not provide formal statements to insurance companies without first contacting an attorney
How Do I Establish Liability After an Elevator Accident?
To win compensation in a personal injury claim, we will have to prove that you were injured and incurred significant damages as a direct result of another party’s negligence. To do so, we will first have to establish liability. For example, if we determine that you were injured because of an unsafe elevator design or a negligent elevator manufacturer, we will file a product liability claim. However, if we determine that you were harmed as a result of the property owner failing to have the elevator serviced in a timely manner, or if we can prove that the elevator owner either knew or should have known about the unsafe elevator conditions and failed to fix them and you were injured as a result, we will most likely file a premises liability claim. Our firm is ready to help you today–all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call.
Who May Be Liable in an Elevator Accident?
- The property owner who failed to maintain or adequately inspect the elevator
- The maintenance or service company that performed faulty repairs
- Elevator manufacturers for defective designs or production
- Building managers for ignoring known safety hazards
- Third-party contractors who negligently installed the fixture
Do I Have a Valid Elevator Accident Claim in Florida?
In the event you are injured in an elevator accident in Jacksonville, Duval County, or the surrounding North Florida communities, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for the damages you have suffered. To recover compensation, you must show that the injury was caused by the negligent actions of another party.
Key Requirements for a Valid Claim
- The accident is the result of someone else’s negligence
- You suffered injuries as a result of the negligence
- The injuries you suffered caused measurable damages
- The claim is filed within the statute of limitations for personal injuries in Florida, which is two years from the date
Contact Our Experienced Florida Personal Injury Law Firm
Ansbacher Law is composed of knowledgeable attorneys who are ready to assist clients with various legal matters throughout North Florida, including injuries caused by unsafe elevators or other fixtures on a property. We understand the urgency of your personal injury claim and additional legal matters, which is why we provide each of our clients with compassionate and efficient legal assistance every step of the way. Please contact our office for an initial consultation today.