Skyscrapers are a part of New York’s infrastructure and so are elevators. But elevators can pose a serious risk if they’re not adequately inspected and properly maintained. An accident caused in an or due to an elevator can lead to serious injuries or even death. 

As per theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, accidents caused in elevators and escalators lead to 30 fatalities and seriously injure about 17,000 people each year in the United States. 

Common causes and injuries due to elevator accidents

Injuries in elevator accidents are caused mostly due to the following: 

  • Falling into the shaft 
  • Getting stuck between malfunctioning doors
  • Tripping due to improper/unbalanced leveling with the floor
  • Freefall 
  • Electrocution 
  • Colliding with a fellow passenger while entering or leaving the elevator in a rush 

Often, these accidents lead to severe injuries and even fatalities. Some common injuries caused due to elevator accidents are: 

  • Severed limbs 
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries 
  • Cuts and bruises 
  • Injuries on the head, neck, or shoulders 

One of the most common reasons for elevator accidents is improper maintenance of the elevator which leads to equipment failure. Some common equipment failure is: 

  • Faulty wiring 
  • Malfunctioning of the pulley 
  • Obsolete equipment not upgraded timely 
  • Improper installation of the elevator 
  • Power failure 
  • Error while operating the door 
  • Mechanical breakdown 

Elevator maintenance rules in New York State

The New York City building codes have made it mandatory to inspect all the elevators for public use twice every year. These inspections need to be performed by a third-party licensed by the Department of Buildings.

Recently, Gov Andrew Cuomo also signed legislation to improve elevator safety in New York. This new law requires all individuals engaged in the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of elevators or other automated people moving conveyances to be licensed by New York State. The law also creates the New York State Elevator Safety and Standards Advisory Board to help establish recommendations for elevator inspections, examinations to satisfy licensing requirements, and enforcement to ensure compliance and promote public safety.

What happens if someone gets injured in an elevator accident?

If you have been injured in an elevator accident, we recommend you hire a personal injury attorney to represent your interests in this situation. This becomes even more important in this scenario as litigations related to elevators can become slightly complex, especially when it comes to identifying the party at-fault for causing the accident – whether it is the elevator manufacturer, the building administration, on-site work staff, etc. 

Leave it in the able hands of a personal injury lawyer to ensure that your expenses are duly covered and you get the compensation you rightly deserve. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in an elevator accident and need a winning law firm, contact Siler & Ingber today. Call us on 1-877-529-4343 or complete our online form on this page to schedule a case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. Our consultation is free and we do not charge a fee unless we win your case.

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