Defective Elevator

Fighting for Victims Injured by Elevator Defects

People who live and work in New York City use elevators on a daily basis. Whether at an apartment building or a place of business, those who take the elevator have every reason to believe they are properly designed, manufactured, inspected, and maintained.

Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Some elevators may have critical defects which put the safety of occupants, construction workers, and elevator repair workers at risk.

At The Perecman Firm, our New York City attorneys represent victims harmed in all types of elevator accidents, including those involving elevator defects. We can review your case to discuss your right to compensation. Based in Manhattan, we’re trusted by victims across NYC because:

• We have won over half a billion in compensation for clients.
• Our attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.
• Our firm is named among the U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list.

We offer FREE consultations. Contact us to speak with a lawyer.

Who is Responsible for Defective Elevator Accidents?

Victims who seek a financial recovery of their damages after preventable accidents can bring civil injury claims against the responsible parties. This includes victims injured by various types of elevator defects, including those related to:

• Misleveling and other trip and fall hazards
• Falls and falling objects
• Bearing or pulley system malfunction
• Elevator door or sensor malfunction
• Faulty wiring or electrical defects
• Malfunctioning elevator doors
• Poor quality materials or workmanship
• Inadequate inspection or maintenance
• Incomplete repairs
• Unqualified or trained personnel.

Because there are many possible causes of elevator accidents, determining who can be held liable for your injuries will require an evaluation of the specific facts of your case. Generally, victims with viable claims will bring legal action against some person or entity (or multiple parties) they allege to be at fault for their injuries.

Many times, in the event of an elevator accident, a legal doctrine known as res ipsa loquitor will apply which means that this would not ordinarily happen in the absence of negligence. For example, significant elevator misleveling and elevator free falls do not usually happen unless there was negligence regarding the repair, maintenance, or inspection of the elevator. So, as long as it can be proven that this event occurred and an entity/defendant had total control over the elevator when this happened, they will be held negligent under this doctrine.

Examples of potential defendants in elevator defect cases:

• Property owners / landlords / management companies that failed to repair, replace, or warn about elevator defects and premises hazards they knew or should have known about.
• Elevator mechanics or third-party maintenance services that failed to adequately inspect, repair, or maintain defective elevators.
• General contractors, developers, and others who failed to comply with NY Labor Law or otherwise take reasonable steps to prevent elevator accidents on construction sites.
• Elevator manufacturers or building material suppliers responsible for defective products.

Elevators are essential but dangerous machines that must be properly installed, inspected, and maintained. When defects arise, landlords and others who exercise control over a property have the duty to identify and address them and, because of the New York Elevator Safety Act, any mechanic or company that handles elevator repairs must be specially trained and licensed.

Our attorneys can discuss the facts of your accident, potential causes, and who may be held liable for your losses during a no-cost consultation.

Fighting for Full Compensation

At The Perecman Firm, we help victims by conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and negotiating with defendants and insurers for a fair recovery. If the defense fails to make offers that meet our clients’ needs, we have the resources to take tough claims to trial.

Our ultimate goal is to help victims obtain the compensation they need to cover damages such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages and future income
• Disability or disfigurement

Examples of Our Results

Our award-winning trial lawyers at The Perecman Firm, have recovered over half a billion in compensation for clients in cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, construction accidents, and defective products. Some examples of our results:

• $5 million for a union crane operator and mechanic who fell on an outdoor stair tower.
• $5 million for a man who slipped and fell due to water leak in his Manhattan Apartment.
• $2.45 million for a union operating engineer who fell from an elevated temporary walkway.
• $2.15 million for a worker who suffered spine and elbow injuries due to a malfunctioning lift.
• $1.75 million for a union cleaner who tripped over raised plywood at an elevator repair site.

Elevator defects can have devastating consequences, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, and other severe injuries that affect a person’s life and livelihood. Some incidents, such as electrocution events or falls into unguarded elevator shafts, can be fatal.

If you or someone you love has been injured due to a defective or malfunctioning elevator, working with experienced attorneys can help you seek the maximum compensation possible. To speak with an elevator defect lawyer in NYC, call or contact us online.