Elevators are a part of many of our everyday lives, and we seldom, if ever, imagine an accident happening while taking one. Unfortunately, elevator accidents do happen, and when they do, people can sustain serious injuries. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, roughly 17,000 people are seriously injured by elevators and escalators every single year. Of those injuries, elevators are responsible for nearly 60%. That said, if you were hurt in an elevator accident, 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. Continue reading and contact a competent Jacksonville personal injury lawyer from Ansbacher Law today to learn more about these accidents and how we can help if you’ve been hurt in one. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the most common causes of defective elevator accidents?
Defective elevators lead to a wide range of severe accidents and injuries. In some cases, people are permanently harmed due to elevator accidents. Passengers are almost never responsible for elevator accidents, and they’re likely entitled to compensation when they are injured. Just some of the most common causes of defective elevator accidents are as follows:
- Malfunctions due to defective parts: Often, elevator parts manufacturers or designers may be at fault for these accidents. To prove this, however, we must demonstrate that the product designer or manufacturer negligently designed or produced these parts, thereby causing the elevator to become unsafe.
- Malfunctions due to failure to inspect: Building owners are responsible for having elevators and other features of their property inspected regularly. If the property owner is not up-to-date with inspections, he or she may be held liable for injuries sustained as a result of an elevator malfunction.
- Malfunctions due to improper maintenance: In some cases, an elevator malfunction can occur because the person tasked with inspecting/repairing the elevator failed to do their job properly.
What should I do if I’m hurt?
If you are seriously injured in an elevator accident, the first thing you need to do is call the police and request medical assistance. You should also get witness contact information if you can. If possible, you should notify the building owner. Once you’re treated in a hospital, you should be sure to keep a copy of all medical documentation pertaining to your injury. Finally, you should hire a competent lawyer who can help you gather and present additional evidence needed to satisfy the burden of proof. For example, in many cases, we can obtain surveillance/security camera footage from the elevator itself, depicting exactly how the accident occurred.
The bottom line is that if you were hurt in an elevator accident due to no fault of your own, our legal team is here to help. Contact Ansbacher Law today to schedule your free initial consultation with our knowledgeable and highly skilled legal team.
