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.

 

Elevator Accidents in Apartment Complexes May Cause Serious Injuries

 

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.

If you were injured in an elevator accident in an apartment complex, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm through a negligence lawsuit. An injury occurring on the property of another party usually gives rise to a premises liability claim brought by the victim against the property owner or occupier. In order to establish liability, Illinois law requires an accident victim to provide evidence that supports certain elements. They would need to show that the property owner knew or should have known of the hazardous condition’s existence, but the property owner failed to remedy or address the hazardous condition. The property owner must have known or should have known that the injured party would not be aware of the hazard, or would not be able to take their own protective measures against the hazard, and the type of accident in which the victim was hurt must have been foreseeable.

 

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.

 

In other situations, an elevator maintenance company may be liable if it failed to inspect or repair the elevator properly.

 

Elevator accidents can result in serious injuries, such as burns, broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, and back injuries. These injuries, if serious, can be extremely costly to treat. However, Illinois law allows elevator accident victims to recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages. These damages typically include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, disability, and any other losses arising from the accident.

 

Contact a Chicago Attorney to Discuss Your Elevator Accident Case

 

If you or someone close to you has been injured in an elevator accident in an apartment complex in the Chicago area, it is vital to speak to a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. At Therman Law Offices, we know how to pursue compensation for people who have been hurt in elevator accidents. We have the experience that is necessary to investigate these types of cases. Our firm also represents people who need an injury lawyer in cities such as Wheaton, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Bensenville, Wood Dale, Bloomingdale, and Roselle. To discuss your legal rights and options at no cost, call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.

 
 
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