Elevator Accident Lawyer

Elevators allow us to conveniently travel between different levels of buildings. They are common in large residential buildings, office buildings, department stores, malls, and amusement parks, for example. Because elevators are common in different places, most people do not associate elevators with danger. In fact, most people do not hesitate to use elevators whatsoever.

However, elevators can be unsafe and can possibly lead to incidents. Although considered rare, elevator incidents can be very dangerous for all parties involved. Victims could suffer a number of injuries, some of which could have life-long consequences; it is also possible for injuries to be fatal.

Did you or a member of your family suffer an elevator accident? If you or your family were injured in elevators, you might have legal grounds to pursue a claim. Based on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the harm suffered, you could sue and recover monetary compensation. If you are interested in learning more about your right to sue after an elevator incident, you should seek legal assistance with an elevator injury attorney as soon as possible.

Whether the elevator incident was a result of a faulty installation or of improper maintenance, you might have grounds to sue with the assistance of an experienced lawyer. You can trust that elevator accident injury attorneys at Kenmore Law Group to provide you with the guidance that you need to pursue a claim after an elevator accident. At Kenmore Law Group, our Los Angeles elevator accident lawyers are ready to evaluate your claim and help you hold the at-fault party or entity accountable for the harm resulting from the incident. If you are ready to discuss your claim with the experts at our firm, contact us today.

Types of Incidents

Most of us assume that elevators are completely safe for us to use; however, there are often many hazards that could contribute to incidents and possibly incidents. Some examples of elevator injuries include the following:

• Sudden stops and sudden starts (including harsh landings) – issues with the electric and programing aspect of elevators can result in sudden stops and sudden starts. These incidents can cause occupants to be jolted, potentially falling if they are not holding on to the rails.
• Door malfunctions – elevator doors, specifically the door sensors, can fail. This can cause the door to start closing before occupants are out of the way. These incidents can result in the door closing on hands, arms, feet, and legs. Unfortunately, this could lead to the loss of limbs, as well as crushing injuries.
• Missing elevator car – it is possible for the elevator doors to open even if the elevator car is not on the same level. This can cause individuals to unknowingly step into the elevator shaft and fall, potentially suffering devastating injuries.
• Uneven flooring – elevator cars must be at the same level as the floor to ensure a smooth transition for individuals. If the elevator car is too low or too high – even by just a few centimeters – unsuspecting people can trip and fall while entering or exiting the elevator.
• Slippery floors – spills can make elevator floors slippery, if occupants step into something slippery, they can slip and fall. Slip and falls in elevators can result in significant harm.

Whether you slipped and fell on an elevator due to a slippery elevator floor or suffered any other type of incident, it is important that you know that the incident – and the harm that you suffered – could have been completely avoided.

The Injuries Associated with Elevator Incidents

Unfortunately, victims who experience elevator incidents can suffer a number of injuries. Some of the injuries that victims could experience include the following:

• Brain injury
• Head injury
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injury
• Hip fracture
• Broken leg
• Sprained ankle
• Joint injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Lacerations
• Crushing injuries
• Nerve injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Ligament injuries

These are just a few of the injuries that victims of elevator injuries could suffer. Without a doubt, it is possible for affected parties to experience different injuries. Whether you or a member of your family suffered a broken hip, spinal cord injury, broken leg, sprained ankle, or head injury, you might have grounds to pursue an injury claim. If the incident resulted in the death of a member of your family, you might have grounds to file a wrongful death claim.

Who Is Liable?

Can you sue if you slipped and fell in an elevator? Can you sue if you got injured by an elevator malfunction? Can you sue the building owners? Can you sue the elevator maintenance company? It is normal to have these questions – the answer will strictly depend on the details surrounding your incident.

Primarily, it is important to understand the main cause behind the incident. Did the incident occur because of a malfunction? Was the elevator defective, causing you to fall and get hurt? Did the incident occur because of lack of maintenance? Did property management fail to ensure that the elevator was well-maintained? Did the elevator pass inspection? Did the company that maintains the elevator make a mistake?

Based on the details surrounding the incident, the elevator manufacturer (such as Aichi, Anton Freissler, Cibes Lift, Fujitec, Hitachi, Hyundai Elevator, Kleemann, Kone, Mitsubishi Electric, Otis Elevator Company, Scindler Group, Stannah Lifts, Toshiba, ThyssenKrupp, Shotton Lifts, and Walton Group), the building owners/property owners, and even maintenance companies could potentially be liable.

This is because these parties/entities have a duty of care. Manufacturers have the duty to ensure that their products are safe for consumers to use. Property owners have the duty to ensure that their entire premises are safe for their guests. Maintenance companies have the duty to keep products working safely. Unfortunately, the duty of care can be breached, resulting in incidents that could directly lead to harm. When the harm that an innocent person suffers is directly associated with a breached duty of care, the party/entity could be liable. Therefore, victims could pursue claims.

If you are interested in learning more about establishing liability in elevator injury cases, do not hesitate to seek legal assistance immediately. Our elevator malfunction accident attorneys are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to pursue your elevator negligence cases and recover the compensation that you are owed.

You Could Recover Compensation

Whether you were injured on the job in an elevator, you suffered an elevator slip and fall accident, or you suffered an elevator trip and fall accident, for instance, you could pursue an elevator slip and fall lawsuit and potentially recover monetary compensation. What could you be eligible to receive? Based on the details surrounding the claim, you could be eligible to receive compensation for some of the following:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Punitive damages

If you are pursuing a wrongful death claim, you and your family could also recover compensation for some of the following:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of consortium

To learn more about the type and amount of compensation that you could be eligible to receive, you should discuss your claim with the malfunctioning elevator injury lawyers at our firm immediately. Our lawyers are ready to aggressively fight for your right to recover the highest amount of compensation available for your claim.

You might also be interested in reviewing elevator injury settlements. What is the average settlement amount for elevator accidents? Settlement amounts are always strictly associated with the details surrounding the claim, specifically the injuries resulting from the incident. For instance, if the incident resulted only in a fractured ankle, the claim might settle for anything ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 (depending on whether surgery and additional care is required). However, if the incident resulted in more severe injuries, the claim will likely settle for a higher amount. To better understand settlement amounts and how the details surrounding the claim could affect the numbers, contact our lawyers with experience in malfunctioning elevator accident cases today.

What Should You Do?

If the elevator mechanism fails causing it to speed up or stop suddenly, for example, resulting in your incident, you must act quickly to ensure that you can pursue your claim. There are many steps that you must follow, consider the important points listed below:

• Take photos of all injuries
• Take photos of the scene of the incident
• Seek medical attention immediately
• File a report with the appropriate party/entity
• Gather any video footage that captured the incident
• Collect all medical records
• Collect any records of lost income
• Seek the expertise of an elevator accident attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible

What Statute of Limitations Applies?

If you are interested in suing for the elevator accident that you or a member of your family suffered, you must act quickly – your claim will be subject to a strict deadline. All claims are subject to a statute of limitations which determine the total length of time that claimants have to sue. If claimants do not file their claims within the allowed timeline, they could lose their right to pursue their claim.

In California, an elevator injury claim (as well as a wrongful death claim) is subject to a two-year statute of limitations. Therefore, claimants only have two years to pursue their claims. In addition, exceptions can apply, which can ultimately pause the deadline. To ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the deadline that applies to your claim (and most importantly, that you file your claim on time), contact our experts at your earliest convenience.

Contact Kenmore Law Group Today

Did you or a member of your family suffer an elevator accident? If so, you might have grounds to sue for the harm resulting from the incident. If you are interested in exploring the legal options available to you and your family, you can trust the experts at Kenmore Law Group to provide you with the guidance that you need. Our firm is experienced in handling Los Angeles elevator accidents. Contact our firm today to speak with our knowledgeable attorneys.

We offer free legal services – specifically, free consultations and free second opinions – to ensure that victims and their families have access to the guidance that they need to pursue their claims. Our firm offers a Zero-Fee guarantee to ensure that our clients will never be required to pay upfront legal fees for our legal services. In addition, our strict contingency structure ensures that our clients will not pay anything until they win – if you do not win, you will not be responsible for paying any legal fees.

Contact us today to speak with our elevator injury attorneys.