Mechanical Defects in Elevators

Experienced Attorneys Assisting Accident Victims in the Chicago Area

While elevator accidents are not as common as some other types of accidents, such as car crashes, they happen more often than you might think. Elevator accidents can lead to serious and long-term injuries, and in the worst accidents, they can even cause an avoidable death. If you or someone close to you has been injured by a mechanical defect in an elevator, we can help. At Therman Law Offices, our Chicago elevator accident lawyers can look into the details of your case and advise you on a legal strategy that would be appropriate under the circumstances. Elevator accident cases can be especially complex, but we will work with knowledgeable experts to determine what happened and build a case for liability if it is present.

Many mechanical defects in elevators can be prevented or fixed with proper inspection and regular maintenance. Malfunctions that sometimes occur and cause elevator accidents include:

• Pulley system malfunctions;
• Open shafts that carry a risk of falling;
• Faulty wiring;
• Sudden stops;
• Worn sheaves wearing on ropes; or
• Unbalanced leveling and failures of elevators to line up with floors.

If you have been hurt in an elevator accident, you may be able to recover a variety of damages for your harm. Some of these damages include medical expenses (i.e., medication costs, hospitalization, surgery, and so on), pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, disability, and any other losses stemming from the accident. While physical injuries are the most common type of injury resulting from an elevator accident, in some cases, a person may also experience psychological harm. For example, if an elevator gets stuck for a long period of time, without any indication of how long it will be until they are freed, this can be emotionally traumatic for a victim. Witnesses to other people’s injuries may also have a claim for psychological injuries. Of course, the exact amount and types of damages that an injured party may be entitled to obtain will depend on the specific facts of the case.