New York Elevator Accident Lawyer
Elevator collapses and dangerous malfunctions are not as common as some other forms of premises injuries, but when they do occur, they can be devastating. Any form of elevator accident can leave a victim with a severe injury, significant medical bills, and long-term damage. Elevators have stringent regulations about construction and maintenance. If a building owner or operator fails to comply with the regular upkeep requirements or enforce the restrictions on weight and number of occupants, and an accident results, they must be held liable for the damage caused.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator accident, you need the help of a serious and dedicated elevator accident attorney to ensure that you and your family receive the compensation that you are owed. Call an experienced elevator accident attorney at Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, if you’ve been hurt in an elevator accident anywhere in the Hudson Valley Area, including Kingston, Marlboro and Ulster County.
Common Causes of Elevator Injury
Elevator accidents can happen for a variety of reasons and in a multitude of ways. Not all elevator accidents involve a car falling from the top of the building to the bottom like the movies show. Many elevator passengers are injured when elevators fail to operate correctly, either because their door sensors are not working, because they have been misleveled, or their acceleration and deceleration speed has not been properly calibrated or maintained.
Some of the common causes of elevator injuries include the following:
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Misleveling occurs when an elevator fails to stop at an even height with the building floor. The mislevel creates a ledge of several inches or even feet, creating a tripping and falling hazard. Elevators that are adequately maintained should never have a misleveling error, and such a hazard is strong evidence that the building owners have been negligent in either installing or maintaining the elevator.
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Sudden Stops. Whether due to an installation or maintenance issue, weight overload, a problem with the brakes, or an electrical issue, a sudden elevator stop can send passengers flying into the elevator walls, floor, or ceiling. Such sudden movements can lead to a serious impact injury. There are a variety of potential causes for a sudden and inappropriate elevator stop, and you need an experienced elevator injury attorney to help investigate the cause of the malfunction in order to properly establish liability.
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Door Injuries. Door injuries can occur when elevator doors shut either too quickly or unexpectedly, typically because the door sensors failed to identify that there is an object in the doorway. A failure of the sensors is a maintenance issue. Door injuries can lead to broken bones, lacerations, contusions, severed limbs, and other serious injuries.
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Open Shaft Falls. When the elevator doors open at the wrong spot, where there is no exit to a building floor, or if the shaft doors open before the elevator arrives, a passenger can easily step out and fall down the elevator shaft. Elevator shaft falls are likely to lead to severe injury or death.
Recovering Compensation After an Elevator Accident Requires a Practiced Hand
New York implements stringent guidelines for elevator maintenance and inspection. The requirements may differ depending on the county and city in which the accident occurred, however. Moreover, there may be many responsible parties to sue after an elevator accident. You may have a claim against the building owner, the premises renter, the company that installed the elevator, the company that manufactured the elevator, or any number of other parties. You may need to bring a premises liability claim, a products liability claim, or a different type of claim. You will likely be negotiating with one or more insurance companies that protect the various parties involved.
A seasoned Hudson Valley elevator accident attorney can help you navigate the muddy waters of demonstrating liability and securing the maximum available recovery. The practiced attorneys at Rusk, Wadlin Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, will investigate the circumstances of the accident, apply the relevant laws, identify the potentially liable parties, negotiate with insurance companies, and bring your eventual legal claims, allowing you to focus on your recovery and on getting your life back on track after a serious elevator injury. We will fight to ensure you get the compensation you are owed.
Reach Out to a Dedicated New York Personal Injury Lawyer for Help After Your Hudson Valley Elevator Accident
For a free consultation on your elevator accident claim, contact the seasoned elevator accident lawyers at the law firm of Rusk, Wadlin, Heppner & Martuscello, LLP, in Kingston at 845-331-4100 or in Marlboro at 845-236-4411.
