While elevator accidents are not the most common type of premises liability accident, they are terrifying incidents that can cause victims to suffer catastrophic injuries or death. If you or a family member were hurt while using an elevator, the property or business owner of the building where the elevator was located may owe you compensation for any injuries. Depending on the cause of the accident, other parties could also be liable to compensate you.
Key Takeaways About Elevator Accidents in Norfolk
If you or a loved one was hurt in an elevator accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries and an uncertain path to compensation from the property or business owner responsible for maintaining the equipment.
- The top causes of elevator accidents include mis-leveling, defective or malfunctioning doors, excessive speed from control system failures, falls into open shafts, and general mechanical malfunctions.
- Mis-leveling is especially common in buildings built before 1960, but newer elevators can also mis-level due to hydraulic oil leaks or poor lubrication of the braking system.
- Falls into open elevator shafts are among the most severe of these accidents and can occur when doors open between floors or during an untrained rescue attempt.
- Building and business owners have a legal duty to maintain elevators safely and post warnings when equipment should not be used — failing to do so can make them liable for injuries.
- At Tavss Fletcher, our Norfolk premises liability attorneys have nearly 50 years of experience helping injured clients pursue the compensation they deserve.
Most Common Causes of Elevator Accidents
The top reasons victims are injured in elevator accidents include misleveling, door malfunctions, and sudden drops from cable or brake failures, along with open shaft falls, electrical shocks, and overloading.
Elevators are used at hotels, malls, apartment buildings, offices, hospitals, airports, and many other locations in Norfolk. Owners of the building have a duty to maintain their elevators in a safe manner and post a warning sign when they should not be used. These owners can be found negligent when they fail to fulfill these duties to guests and customers. Here are some of the leading ways they breach this duty.
Mis-Leveling
Mis-leveling is a common problem in elevators installed in buildings that were built before 1960 because the elevator’s braking system can miscalculate when braking should occur. Newer elevators can also have mis-leveling problems if there is an oil leakage or failure to lubricate the hydraulic system. Victims can suffer a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, back and spinal injuries, and more if they slip and fall when the elevator is not level.
Defective Doors
If elevator doors are defective, they can open or close suddenly or too fast and trap people trying to enter or exit the elevator between the doors. The doors can also fail to open all the way, or the elevator can start moving while someone is caught in the doors—both of which can be extremely dangerous.
Speed
If the elevator is moving at an excessive speed, it is often caused by counterweights or control systems that malfunction. The elevator can jerk up and down and throw individuals into the elevator walls and onto the floor.
Falls Into Shafts
One of the most fatal types of elevator accidents is one where the elevator or an individual in it falls into the shaft. It can occur in a number of situations, such as:
- When the elevator stops
- When the elevator doors open between floors and an unsuspecting person in the elevator steps out of it and fall into the shaft
- When someone tries to illegally open the shaft door
- When untrained personnel try to rescue an individual trapped in the elevator
General Malfunctions
An elevator can malfunction in many dangerous ways, such as moving with the doors open, when it is not properly inspected, maintained, and repaired. Victims can suffer devastating injuries, such as decapitation, amputation—or death—in a tragic, preventable accident. Were you or a loved one injured in an elevator accident in Norfolk? Call our office to schedule a free consultation with our experienced premises liability attorneys to learn more about your options and how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Most Common Causes of Elevator Accidents?
The top causes include misleveling, defective or malfunctioning doors, sudden drops or speed issues from cable, brake, or control system failures, falls into open shafts, electrical shocks, and overloading.
What Is Elevator Mis-Leveling and Why Does It Happen?
Mis-leveling occurs when an elevator’s braking system miscalculates when braking should occur, causing the elevator to stop above or below floor level. It’s a common problem in buildings constructed before 1960, but newer elevators can also mis-level due to oil leakage or a failure to lubricate the hydraulic system. Victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and back and spinal injuries if they slip and fall as a result.
How Can Defective Elevator Doors Cause Injuries?
Defective doors can open or close suddenly or too fast, trapping people trying to enter or exit. Doors can also fail to open all the way, or the elevator can start moving while someone is caught in the doors, both of which can be extremely dangerous.
Who Is Liable for an Elevator Accident?
The property or business owner of the building where the elevator was located may owe compensation for injuries, since owners have a duty to maintain their elevators safely and post warning signs when an elevator should not be used. Depending on the cause of the accident, other parties could also be liable.
What Should I Do If I Was Injured in an Elevator Accident?
Contact an experienced premises liability attorney to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your options for pursuing compensation.
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