Elevator Defects Accidents

4.9 Rating | 600 Reviews

Dedicated premises liability attorneys in South Carolina who have extensive experience successfully handling elevator accident claims and who dedicate their practice to helping clients like you.

We trust elevators to whisk us from floor to floor, and we generally don’t give it much thought. Elevator defects, however, can cause terrifying accidents and serious injuries. Whether you head out to the mall, a medical appointment, a meeting, or to any of the other activities that fill your day, an elevator is likely to be involved. While elevators generally do what they are intended to do, this isn’t always the case. When an elevator is defective, to begin with – or poorly maintained – it can lead to devastating accidents that you have no way to protect yourself from (if you happen to be in one at the time). If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator accident, reach out to an experienced South Carolina premises liability attorney today.

Elevator Maintenance

To consistently run safely, smoothly, and effectively, elevators require regular maintenance (just like any other machine does). Property owners who fail to keep up with this maintenance not only ensure that their elevators run less safely in general but also ensure that they aren’t alerted if a serious problem is brewing. Unfortunately, not every property owner is as conscientious as he or she should be when it comes to elevator maintenance.

Common Elevator Accidents

Unfortunately, there are far too many kinds of dangerous elevator accidents.

Defective Elevator Doors

Elevator doors have safety sensors built-in that are intended to protect people who are entering or exiting from being injured as the doors close. When these sensors are not working correctly or fail altogether, it makes getting caught between elevator doors a real possibility.

Leveling Imbalance

Elevators are calibrated to come to a stop that is flush with the floor outside its doors. If this fails to happen, it can pose a dangerous tripping hazard. Because slip and falls are the most common accidents out there and are some of the most dangerous, this leveling imbalance is a very serious concern.

Ineffective Speed Regulation

When an elevator’s speed isn’t regulated correctly, it can be as terrifying as it is dangerous. If the elevator travels far too fast, the passengers can be knocked around against one another and the sides of the elevator as it travels. If the braking system is the problem, the elevator may fail to stop at all, which can prove disastrous.

Falls into elevator shafts

When elevator doors open but there is no elevator car there, it can lead to horrifying falls down the elevator shaft, which is one of the most common types of elevator-related fatalities.

Free Falls

Terrifying free fall accidents have been known to happen due to faulty elevator tracks and due to snapped cables, and the results are exactly as dangerous as they sound.

Electrocutions

Electrical defects can prove deadly, and if there is live electricity within the elevator car itself, it puts its occupants in extreme danger.

Common Injuries

While every elevator accident is unique and can cause nearly any kind of serious injury, some are more common than others.

Broken Bones

Being thrown about in an elevator or tripping and falling on your entry or exit can lead to broken bones, which are exceptionally painful injuries that are not only slow to heal but can also lead to serious complications. When the break itself is complicated, it can require intensive treatment, including surgeries.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries tend to be caused by a blow or another kind of impact to the shoulders, head, neck, or back, and they often lead to serious losses in the range of motion and can cause chronic pain. If the spinal cord itself is severely damaged or severed, the resulting injury is permanent paralysis, a lifetime of healthcare costs, serious secondary health concerns, and the potential need for assistance with the activities of daily living.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are typically caused by a blow to the head, and the results – because the brain is affected – are both dangerous and unpredictable. The emotional challenges victims of TBIs face can be just as difficult as the physical challenges.

Cuts and Abrasions

Cuts and abrasions are painful, closely associated with serious infections, cause scarring, and are slow to heal. A serious cut that is on or near the face can become a permanent disfigurement.

Your Damages

If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by an elevator defect, recovering your complete damages is critical, and they can be extensive.

Your Medical Expenses

The medical bills associated with an elevator accident can add up quickly. Consider the following common costs:

  • Emergency Care at the accident scene and emergency transportation
  • Surgical care
  • Hospitalization
  • Treatment and care from doctors and specialists
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Pain management

Your Lost Income

While you heal, you can expect to miss time on the job and the wages that go with them. If the course of your career is affected, it can be both financially and emotionally devastating.

Your Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering refer to both the physical pain you endure as a result of the elevator accident and the emotional pain and suffering that befalls you. Examples include:

  • Increased anxiety
  • Depressive episodes
  • Accident flashbacks
  • Panic attacks
  • Severe mood swings
  • Crying jags
  • A tendency to self-isolate
  • Sleep disturbances, including nightmares

Don’t Put off Consulting with an Experienced South Carolina Premises Liability Attorney

The resourceful premises liability attorneys at David Aylor Law Offices in South Carolina are well versed in handling complicated elevator accident claims and have the experience, legal skill, and drive to help guide your claim toward its best possible resolution. Your claim is important, so please don’t wait to reach out and contact or call us at 843-548-1574 to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about what we can do to help you today.

Get Help Now

It's Easy to Get Started
Either call or fill out the form below to speak with a dedicated attorney from our team
Name(Required)

100% Secure and Confidential

Consigue Ayuda Ahora

(843) 744-4444 Es fácil empezar
Llame o complete el formulario a continuación para hablar con un abogado dedicado de nuestro equipo.
Name(Required)

100% Seguro y confidencial