After an Elevator Injury in Burlington, Speak to DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
Elevators are a common convenience that most people take for granted, especially in bigger cities. But sometimes, the most routine aspects of our daily life hold the greatest potential for injury or death. If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to an issue involving an elevator, speak to the Burlington elevator injury attorneys at DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
For nearly two decades, our team of dedicated and compassionate legal professionals has been guiding clients through some of the most tragic and difficult moments in their lives. Call (781) 262-3338 to schedule a free consultation with us to discuss your situation and determine if you have legal grounds to pursue compensation.
Give us a call today to discover how we can assist you.
What Are Common Elevator-Related Incidents?
There are many critical parts and fail-safes in an elevator system, but sometimes these systems fail or are compromised. The result is usually an innocent passenger getting hurt. Any of the following scenarios can happen:
- The elevator falls or drops suddenly
- Faulty door operation injures a passenger entering or exiting the elevator
- An unsafe design of the elevator creates a hazard to passengers
No maintenance, or improper maintenance and failure to have the elevator inspected regularly, is often at the root of these issues.
Injuries Related to Burlington Elevator Incidents
Trip-and-fall injuries are the most common injuries related to the use of elevators. These often occur when the elevator fails to stop at the same level as the floor outside the elevator. Occupants begin to enter or exit the elevator as the doors open only to trip because the floor is too high or fall because the floor is too low. The injuries caused by a fall can vary greatly and depend on the distance of the fall. Mild bruising or scratches are common, while greater falls can result in broken wrists, arms, or hips; soft tissue damage; and life-threatening head trauma.
Another common incident is called a door strike. When the elevator sensors are not working properly and the door begins to close on passengers as they are entering or exiting the elevator, the passengers can suffer mild to severe bruising, broken bones, or even amputation. Another danger of elevator doors occurs when the gap between the door and the elevator car is too large. Children or small adults can get their fingers or hands lodged in the gap, and loss of digits is the most common injury when this occurs.
Abrupt stops might not sound dangerous, but passengers may suffer spine injuries as well as injuries to ankles and knees due to the compression experienced in a sudden stop. Sudden stops can also cause passengers to fall or hit the walls of the elevator car, causing contusions to the head and upper body. These incidents are normally attributed to an issue with the counterweights in the elevator, which should be regularly inspected and serviced.
Elevator falls are the most serious events that can occur, and often fatal for passengers. Fortunately, these incidents are rare, but do occur when a stalled elevator is being unloaded in an unsafe or improper manner. Falls can also occur when a passenger attempts to pry open the door when the elevator is moving, which can trigger a mechanical issue and cause the fall. Some people suffer falls into empty elevator shafts as well, which wouldn’t be possible if the doors weren’t open or able to be pried open without proper authorization.
We've offered crucial support and guidance to individuals who have suffered injuries, ensuring their financial and emotional well-being.
Knowing Who Is Responsible
Determining the cause of an elevator accident can be complicated. In some cases, the property owner is responsible, while in other cases, it is the manufacturer or the company that installed or maintains the elevator. A passenger who is injured while riding in an elevator in a safe manner has a right to compensation for injuries that were caused by another person or company’s negligence. The Burlington personal injury attorneys at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., have the expertise to evaluate the incident and determine who is responsible for your injuries. We will work diligently on your behalf to sort through the incident reports, the witness statements, video footage, and the documentation pertaining to the elevator’s maintenance to secure the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
Recovering from an injury is stressful enough without the added worries and frustration of a complex legal case. Allow the Burlington elevator accident lawyers at DiBella Law Offices, P.C., to handle this matter for you so that you can focus on a full recovery. Call (781) 262-3338 today to schedule your free consultation.
Get in touch with us today to get a free consultation.
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