New York Elevator Accident Lawyer
Elevator and escalator accidents happen much more frequently than most people realize. Every year, thousands of people across the country are injured in elevator and escalator collapses. Fatal elevator accidents are not as common as fatalities in other accidents, but fatalities do still occur, and injury is extremely common. Elevator accidents can occur when an elevator is improperly installed, when the inner workings of an elevator or elevator shaft malfunction, or when a sensor on an elevator door malfunctions and allows a person’s body part to be trapped in a closing door.
If you or a loved one has been hurt by an elevator or escalator accident in New York, the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Dupée & Monroe are here to help. We will investigate the circumstances of your elevator accident, collect the relevant evidence to build your case and prove the extent of your injury, negotiate with responsible parties and insurance companies, and take your case all the way to trial where necessary. Contact the Goshen elevator accident attorneys at Dupée & Monroe for a free consultation after a New York elevator accident injury.
What causes an elevator or escalator accident?
Elevator and escalator accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the more common causes of elevator accidents include the following:
- Poor maintenance
- Electrical malfunction
- Improper installation
- Door or door sensor malfunction
- Defective product
- Failure to replace faulty electrical equipment
- Mis-leveling
- Sudden stops
- Falls into the elevator shaft
Some of these accidents can occur as a result of user error. Many, however, result from the failure of the building owner or manager to maintain the elevator properly. In New York, many buildings are extremely old, and even if they have an elevator, the elevator may have been installed decades ago. If a building owner or manager fails to keep an elevator in good condition and that causes a person to trip and fall down the shaft, elevator doors to close on someone’s body part, the elevator to stop suddenly causing passengers to be tossed around or fall, or sends an electrical shock through one or more passengers, then any injured parties have the right to recover for the harm they suffer.
Who is responsible after an elevator accident?
If an elevator collapses and injures someone, there may be a variety of parties to hold responsible depending on the type of building, the ownership and management status, and the circumstances of the accident. In an apartment building, you may have a claim against the building owner, the apartment manager, or the company that installed the elevator. If the collapse occurred at a construction worksite, you might have recourse against your employer, the construction company, or the owners of the real estate who are building the property. Likewise, in an office building or commercial center, you may have a claim against your employer, the owner or manager of the building, the business, and any parties responsible for installing or maintaining the elevator.
A seasoned and detail-oriented elevator accident attorney at Dupée & Monroe can investigate the circumstances of your accident and determine who may be held responsible and who should be liable for repaying the damages you have suffered. Determining liability can be a complicated process involving many layers of management, ownership, and insurance coverage. Let our seasoned personal injury attorneys handle the leg work of assigning fault and building your case so that you can focus on your recovery.
Dedicated New York Elevator Accident Attorneys Working for You
If you or a loved one has been injured in an elevator accident at home, at the office, or on public property in Orange County, find out if you should file a claim for damages by contacting the knowledgeable, seasoned, and dedicated Goshen personal injury lawyers Dupée & Monroe at 845-294-8900.
