Elevator Accident?
Elevators are fairly safe, but do sometimes malfunction. When they do, they can cause tripping hazards, sudden stops or uncontrolled free falls. Let a Brooklyn elevator accident lawyer explain what you need to do if you were involved in an elevator accident.
What Can Cause an Elevator to Malfunction?
Whether you are in an old style elevator in Brooklyn Heights or one of the modern elevators at the Brooklyn waterfront, all elevators must be properly maintained. The same holds true for the escalators that move us around. When these devices are not properly maintained, they can be dangerous. If you were hurt in an elevator accident or a escalator accident, don’t delay – contact an experienced Brooklyn elevator accident lawyer at our firm for a free consultation.
There are many reasons that elevators fail. However, biggest reason for an elevator to fail, is a lack of proper maintenance. A misaligned drive, worn sheaves, old lubricant, and power failures can all cause a malfunction that leads to an injury. Some common elevator malfunctions include:
- Doors that close abruptly trapping body parts;
- Unstable and swaying movement;
- Mis-leveling;
- Sudden stops;
- Sudden uncontrolled drops.
What Can Cause an Escalator To Malfunction?
Every year, approximately 10,000 people are injured in escalator accidents. Although there are many reasons why escalators malfunction, there are two main ways that escalators injure riders. The first is that they cause the rider to fall down or off. The second is by trapping the rider on a broken step or in the comb plate.
The comb plate is the part of the escalator at the top and bottom where you stand just before getting on or off of the device. When there is a misalignment of the comb plate, the gap can create a tripping hazard. When one of the teeth of the comb is missing, this can create a snatch hazard that can easily catch a shoelace causing a person to fall.
What Should I Do If I Was Involved In a Elevator Accident or Escalator Accident?
If you were injured in an elevator accident or an escalator accident, here are some important things you need to do right away:
- Report the accident to the building;
- Take pictures and/or video of the equipment immediately;
- Look for witnesses, who may have seen the incident;
- Look for witnesses, who may be familiar with how long the equipment has had a problem;
- Check to see if there is any video surveillance nearby that may have captured the accident.
Brooklyn Elevator Accident Lawyers24-7.com | Ask Questions – Get Answers
If you have any questions about your Brooklyn elevator or escalator accident you can contact our office by email or by calling (718) 364-4000. You can also simply fill out one of our elevator and escalator case intake forms and one of our attorneys will get right back to you.