We take elevators as a part of our normal life. We take elevators to get to our office at work, to get to our apartment unit, to get to a different store in the mall, and so forth. We may not think of elevators as a hotbed for accidents and injuries. Unfortunately, elevator related accidents have become more frequent that most of us think, especially in New York.
Although not all elevator-related accidents are caused by one thing, most are attributed to poor maintenance and repair. In response to preventing these tragic accidents, Assemblyman Keith Wright (D-Harlem) and Sen. John Bonacic (R-Middletown) have sponsored a proposal dealing strictly with elevator safely.
The Fight For Elevator Safety
The proposal, amongst other things, includes the following points:
- Require the state to license mechanics and others who oversee maintenance of 70,000 elevators in the city’s high-rise buildings.
- Require elevator mechanics to undergo extensive training before obtaining a license (this is already required in other states).
- Create a nine-member board appointed by the governor and legislative leaders to monitor elevator safety issues.
Supporters of this proposal point to recent elevator-related tragedies in the state. For example, a man was crushed to death in September when a packed elevator jolted in a Williamsburg luxury building. In August, a mechanic was killed when he plunged down an elevator shaft at a construction site in Hell’s Kitchen.
The elevator safety proposal is opposed by City Hall, including Mayor de Blasio’s administration. The de Blasio administration claims that a state law is unnecessary because the city’s Buildings Department already has strong elevator licensing regulations and oversight. It seems government officials are opposing this bill to avoid another layer of regulation through a state license issued by an agency. However, this extra layer may be just what is necessary to prevent, or at least reduce, the number of elevator related accidents.
Protecting the Rights of Injured Elevator Victims
When individuals are injured in elevator related accidents, they need to understand that they have legal rights. In the unfortunate event of a fatality, the loved ones also have legal rights that they can pursue against the responsible parties.
At Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., we understand the ramifications that related elevator accidents have on the lives of victims and the lives of their loved ones. We make it our goal and mission to work hard to obtain these injured victims and their loved ones the full compensation that they deserve.
We Can Help You If Your Are Injured
When you are injured in any type of accident, including an elevator related accident, you need to hire a New York personal injury attorney to protect your legal rights. The attorneys at Gersowitz, Libo & Korek P.C. have more than 39 years of experience and knowledge to aggressively fight to get you the full extent of monetary compensation that you deserve.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our New York elevator accident attorneys, please contact 1-800-529-9997.
