Elevator Accidents in Apartment Complexes

Injury Lawyers Representing Residents of the Chicago Area

Taking an elevator is common practice, especially for people who live in high-rise apartment complexes. While most people take elevators routinely without incident, the reality is that accidents do take place at times. These accidents can leave victims with serious injuries and, in particularly extreme cases, can even result in death. If you or someone in your family has been hurt in an elevator accident at an apartment complex, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At Therman Law Offices, our Chicago elevator accident attorneys have the dedication and determination to handle your case.

According to Consumer Watch, there are an estimated 900,000 elevators across the United States, each serving an average of 20,000 people per year. This translates to approximately 18 billion passenger trips each year, many of which take place on residential properties. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 27 people are killed in elevator accidents each year, and over 10,000 people are injured. Elevator accidents can happen due to a number of malfunctions, including:

• Open shafts or faulty doors;
• Incomplete repairs, poor maintenance, or inspections by unqualified personnel;
• Worn or broken cables, or improperly maintained cables;
• Wiring malfunctions that cause electrical problems;
• Strained elevator cables or failing elevator brakes;
• Carriage misalignment with floors; or
• Improper elevator design.

It is important to note that there may be other parties, aside from property owners, that may be liable for an elevator accident. For example, an elevator manufacturer might be liable if the accident was caused by defective design or manufacture. This might give rise to a product liability claim based on strict liability, which means that the negligence of the company would not need to be shown. Instead, the victim would need to prove that there was a flaw in the process of designing or making the elevator or a component of the elevator, which caused a hazard that resulted in the accident.