Suing for New York City Elevator Accidents

Elevators are everywhere in New York City. From skyrise apartment buildings to office spaces, shopping locations, and public transportation hubs, elevators can provide a fast, safe, and accessible alternative to stairs or escalators. However, elevators can quickly become dangerous if they are poorly manufactured, installed, maintained, or not kept up to code. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an elevator accident due to the negligence of a manufacturer, building owner, or inspector, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.

New York City Elevator Safety Code Violations
New York City buildings that have elevators must adhere to numerous regulations. Under New York City law, elevators must be inspected twice a year, and the inspection certificate must be displayed in the elevator. The surprise inspections are performed by an inspection agency that has contracted with the Department of Buildings. However, inspectors can miss or overlook violations and dangerous conditions.

Category testing must also be performed periodically on certain elevators by third parties approved and licensed by the Department of Buildings and maintained per the elevator manufacturer’s specifications. In addition, for any work required on an elevator, a permit must be obtained through the proper procedure.

Building owners who fail to comply with New York City’s elevator safety regulations may violate building code and be subject to certain penalties. If a Department of Building violation is found for failure to maintain or repair a defective elevator, a criminal summons may be issued to the building owner if it is not corrected within ten days. They may also be liable to you for any injuries caused as a result.

Maintenance logs, work records, inspection reports, invoices, and other documents reflecting work that was performed, or violations that occurred, are all essential evidence that may be used to demonstrate negligence in a personal injury action for your New York City elevator accident.

Types of Elevator Accidents
If a building owner or another responsible party fails to properly maintain an elevator or keep up to date with safety standards, they can be held accountable for an accident that occurs as a result. Many types of accidents occur due to defective elevators or the devices that operate them, leading to severe injury or fatality. Elevator accidents can be caused by:

• Electrical malfunctions
• Failure to open doors
• Sudden drops
• Door failure to open
• Doors closing too quickly
• Wide gaps between the shaft and door
• Falls into the shaft
• Misleveling
• Malfunctioning speeds

It’s always best to exercise safety precautions when riding in elevators. These include looking down before you enter or exit to ensure the elevator is level with the floor, making sure any loose clothing does not get caught in the door, and not leaning on the door. Sometimes, hazardous conditions cannot be avoided. If the negligence of another caused them, you might consider filing a personal injury action to recover your damages.

Compensation for New York City Elevator Injuries
Victims of New York City elevator accidents may suffer from severe disfigurement, broken bones, paralysis, nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, lacerations, and even death. Often, elevator accident injuries require extensive and costly medical treatment and considerable time out of work. An elevator accident victim may be able to recover unreimbursed medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other non-economic damages. In cases that involve the loss of a loved one, the personal representative of the estate can pursue a wrongful death action.

Contact a New York City Elevator Accident Attorney
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a New York City elevator accident, you should immediately contact a New York City elevator accident attorney. There are strict statutes of limitation in place and shorter ones if you need to file a suit against a municipality. A personal injury attorney who handles elevator accidents can help protect your rights and recover maximum compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. The Popick Law Firm has over thirty years of experience obtaining compensation for victims of personal injury in New York City. Located in Fresh Meadows, NY, The Popick Law Firm handles Queens elevator accidents and personal injury cases and those that occurred in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Nassau and Suffolk counties. Contact The Popick Law Firm today for a consultation.