Elevator accidents are oftentimes the most jarring, as they are unexpected and happen quickly. What’s more, when you are in a malfunctioning elevator, there is very little you can do to protect yourself. This is why if you have been injured in an elevator accident, you may be looking into recovering financial compensation. If you find yourself in this situation, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the most common contributing factors to elevator accidents?
Some of the most common causes of elevator accidents are as follows:
- Abrupt stops
- Pully system malfunction
- Negligent elevator design
- Mechanical breakdown
- Control system malfunction
- Power failures
- Failing to keep equipment up-to-date
- Door operator errors
- Drive malfunction
- Improper installations
- Faulty wiring
What injuries are most commonly sustained in elevator accidents?
Unfortunately, elevator accidents are notorious for the severe injuries they cause. Some injuries that have been eligible for financial compensation in the past are as follows:
- Wrongful death
- Head trauma
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Severed limbs
- Cuts and bruises
- Crush injuries
- Back injuries
How do I know who is responsible for my injuries?
When you are injured in an elevator accident, one of the first things you must do is hire an experienced attorney who knows the ins and outs of the personal injury claim process. An attorney will first determine who is liable for the injuries you have sustained. In some cases, you will file a product liability lawsuit, and in others, you may file a premises liability lawsuit. If you were injured because an elevator was either negligently designed, or a manufacturer negligently produced some of the elevator parts, you are most likely looking at a product liability suit. On the other hand, if you were injured because the property owner knew, or should have reasonably known about a potential safety hazard and neglected to investigate or repair it, you will generally file a premises liability suit.
How do I prove another party’s negligence led to my injuries?
To recover compensation, you and your attorney must gather all the necessary evidence to prove you were injured due to another party’s negligence. Some of this evidence may include medical documents detailing the severity of your injuries, security camera footage of your accident as it happened, pictures of the hazardous conditions responsible for your injuries, police reports, witness statements, and more. If you have been seriously injured, time is of the essence. Please do not wait. Instead, contact one of our knowledgable and passionate attorneys as soon as you can.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
The law firm of Mattleman, Weinroth & Miller, P.C., is composed of experienced defense attorneys throughout the state of New Jersey. Please contact the office for a free initial consultation and get any questions answered regarding criminal charges and procedures.