Before elevators, New Jersey buildings stood much shorter and individuals who wished to ascend to high floors had to get there on their own power. Through technology and over time, engineers found ways to incorporate elevator systems into structures to allow them to stretch up into the sky. Now, it is not uncommon for skyscrapers to have multiple elevators running in different parts of the buildings to get individuals where they need to go in massively tall structures.
Though many elevators work well and perform at a high level, every year thousands of individuals are hurt and killed in accidents involving elevators. When these accidents happen, victims may be unsure of what to do and how to protect their legal rights. This informational post introduces common types of elevator accidents and steps victims can take after they happen. No part of this post should be read as legal advice.
Common forms of elevator accidents
Elevator accidents generally happen when elevators and their mechanical components fail. For example, when an elevator stops at a floor but is not level with the ground outside, individuals can trip and stumble when they are both entering and exiting the elevators. Other ways that elevator accidents can happen include:
- Elevators stopping between floors or stopping where riders cannot exit
- Elevator doors opening without an elevator ready
- Changes in speed of ascending or descending elevators
- Elevators falling through elevator shafts
Any of these incidents can result in serious personal injuries or even deaths. When injuries occur due to elevator accidents, victims can incur significant financial losses.
Rights of victims of elevator accidents
An elevator accident can be a devastating incident. When recovering from serious injuries, a victim may be unable to work and unable to earn an income. They may be bombarded with medical bills and have trouble keeping up with their mortgage, utilities, and other expenses.
There are no guarantees in the law, and all cases move forward based on their own facts. Those victims who have suffered personal injuries may have rights to sue for their losses. They may choose to speak with trusted personal injury attorneys to learn more about their potential claims.