Elevator accidents aren’t just personal injury cases. They require knowledge of maintenance regulations, building codes, and mechanical systems. When you need an elevator accident lawyer in Naperville, Choose Charlie.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has built a reputation as a leading personal injury lawyer in Naperville with particular depth in elevator accident cases. We understand the technical details that make or break these claims—from misleveling incidents to sudden drops caused by brake failures.
Common Causes of Elevator Accidents in Naperville
Elevator accidents happen when maintenance companies and building owners fail to meet their safety obligations. In our experience representing Naperville residents, we’ve seen patterns emerge in how these accidents occur. Understanding the common causes helps you recognize when negligence played a role in your injury.
Elevator accidents in Naperville typically result from:
- Inadequate maintenance by elevator servicing companies that skip inspections or fail to replace worn parts
- Misleveling between the elevator car and floor creating a tripping hazard when passengers enter or exit
- Door malfunctions that close on passengers before they can safely board or exit the elevator
- Sudden drops when emergency brakes engage due to mechanical failure or poor maintenance
- Electrical malfunctions that cause the elevator to move unexpectedly or trap passengers inside
These incidents don’t just happen randomly. They occur because someone—a maintenance company, building owner, or property manager—failed to uphold their duty to keep the elevator safe. When you’re injured in an elevator accident, we investigate who failed in their responsibilities and hold them accountable.
Illinois Elevator Safety Regulations and Building Owner Duties
Illinois law establishes specific requirements for elevator safety, maintenance, and inspection. The Illinois Elevator Safety and Regulation Act sets forth clear standards that building owners and maintenance companies must follow. These regulations exist to prevent the exact type of accidents that injure people in elevators.
Building owners have a legal duty to maintain elevators in a safe working condition. This includes contracting with qualified maintenance companies, ensuring regular inspections occur on schedule, and addressing known defects promptly. Maintenance companies must perform their work according to industry standards and building codes.
When these parties cut corners or ignore warning signs, people get hurt. We’ve seen cases where maintenance logs show skipped inspections, where building owners ignored repeated service recommendations, and where contractors used substandard parts to save money. Each of these failures can lead to serious injuries—and each creates liability.
Injuries We See in Naperville Elevator Accidents
Elevator accidents cause a range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. The nature of these accidents—sudden drops, door strikes, or falls caused by misleveling—often results in serious harm. Understanding the common injury patterns helps us build strong cases that account for all your damages.
Common injuries in elevator accidents include:
- Broken bones and fractures from falls or being struck by closing doors
- Back and neck injuries caused by sudden drops or jolts when the elevator malfunctions
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries from falls within the elevator car or the elevator shaft
- Crush injuries when doors close on limbs or when passengers are caught between the car and the shaft
- Soft tissue injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments from sudden movements or impacts
Some injuries appear minor at first but develop into long-term problems. A twisted ankle from a misleveled elevator can lead to chronic pain. A jarring drop can cause spinal damage that worsens over time. We don’t rush to settle your case until we understand the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.
Who Is Liable for Your Naperville Elevator Accident?
Elevator accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties. Unlike simple car accidents, where one driver is typically at fault, elevator accidents can create liability for building owners, maintenance companies, property managers, and contractors. Identifying all responsible parties is critical to maximizing your recovery.
Maintenance Companies
The elevator maintenance company may be liable if they failed to perform required inspections, used substandard parts, or didn’t properly repair known defects. These companies have a duty to maintain elevators according to manufacturer specifications and industry standards. When they fail in this duty, they can be held accountable for resulting injuries.
Building Owners
Building owners bear responsibility for ensuring their elevators are safe. They must hire qualified maintenance companies, respond to safety complaints, and address known hazards. When owners ignore maintenance recommendations or defer necessary repairs to save money, they put occupants and visitors at risk.
Property Management Companies
Property management companies can also be liable if they’re responsible for building maintenance and safety. We examine management agreements and responsibilities to determine who had control over the elevator’s condition and who failed to act when problems arose.
Our investigation identifies every party whose negligence contributed to your accident. This matters because commercial buildings and apartment complexes often have substantial insurance coverage. By pursuing all responsible parties, our Naperville elevator accident lawyers will work to secure full compensation for your injuries.
Our Approach to Naperville Elevator Accident Cases
Elevator accidents require experience and investigative resources. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we’ve developed specific approaches for these cases based on years of experience. We understand what evidence matters, which experts to consult, and how to prove negligence against maintenance companies and building owners.
Our investigation begins immediately. We preserve evidence before it disappears—maintenance logs, inspection records, service call reports, and surveillance footage. We work with elevator safety experts who can examine the equipment, review maintenance history, and identify violations of safety regulations.
We don’t accept surface explanations. When a building owner claims the elevator was “properly maintained,” we demand proof. When a maintenance company says they “followed procedures,” we examine their records with experts who know what proper procedures actually look like.
Get Help From a Naperville Elevator Accident Lawyer Today
We go to bat for our clients by digging into the technical details that other lawyers might overlook. With over 75 years of combined legal experience and more than $100 million recovered for our clients, we bring a depth of knowledge to every elevator accident case.
Elevator accidents cause serious injuries that deserve serious legal representation. If you or a loved one was injured in a Naperville elevator accident, don’t navigate this process alone. Building owners and maintenance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests—you need someone protecting yours.
Choose Charlie and work with a law firm that understands the technical and legal complexities of elevator accident cases. Our Naperville elevator accident attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your accident, answer your questions, and explain your legal options.
