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New York Elevator Accident Attorneys

elevator accidentsElevators and escalators are a relatively safe means of transportation for going up and down in apartment buildings, shopping malls, office buildings and other premises. Nevertheless, accidents do occur, especially in large cities like New York where there are so many escalators and elevators.

If you or a loved one was involved in an elevator accident and suffered serious injuries, the New York elevator accident attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. can help. We have the experience, knowledge and resources to help make sure your legal rights are properly protected and help you obtain the full compensation that you deserve for the injuries that you have suffered.

Successfully Handling an Elevator or Escalator Accident Claim

Most injuries occur when people get on or off elevators or escalators. Depending upon the situation, the injuries may or may not be due to negligence on the part of the building owner or manufacturer. Although it is rare, accidents involving elevators that fall several stories, stopping abruptly, and injuring passengers do happen.

To successfully litigate a claim involving an elevator or escalator accident, an attorney must be familiar with the various government and city inspections, testing, and servicing of the equipment. Furthermore, as in any other personal injury claim, an attorney must have thorough knowledge of the type of accident he is handling.

The legal team at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. has extensive experience handling elevator accident cases. We have the investigative resources to find the facts in these types of cases to identify the cause of your injury and hold all responsible parties liable. We will work hard to help you obtain the full compensation that you deserve.

How Elevator Accidents Work

Almost every New Yorker has had a nightmare about being trapped in a falling elevator. In reality, elevator accidents rarely involve a free fall. Elevators are equipped with multiple safety features to prevent them from simply falling down the shaft. Real elevator accidents often involve much more subtle situations, which can still be very dangerous.

One of the most common types of elevator accidents is referred to as “misleveling.” This type of elevator accident refers to when the elevator fails to align with the floor properly. Even though the misleveling can be as little as a few inches, it is still enough for you trip on your way out of the elevator cab. This can result in serious injuries, such as:

  • Broken wrist
  • Sprained ankle
  • Head injury
  • Broken teeth
  • Broken bones

Another common elevator occurrence is the door staying open while the cab is moving. Just like misleveling, this occurrence does not happen on its own. Elevators mislevel because someone made an improper adjustment. Likewise, elevator doors stay open while it is moving as a result of error from maintenance personnel.

The experienced New York elevator accident attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. have the knowledge and resources to investigate the facts of your case and hold the responsible parties liable for your injuries.

Escalator Accidents

Escalators are surprisingly one of the few devices from the 1800s that are still pretty much unchanged today. Most escalator accidents involve the victim getting something caught on the device. For instance, a woman’s dress can get caught at the bottom of the escalator where the stairs disappear. Or children wearing sandals can get their toes caught in the stairs. The list goes on and each situation can be just as scary for the victim and can involve serious injuries.

In order to prevent these types of accidents, escalators are equipped with safety features. At a minimum, these safety features involve clearly marked emergency shutoff switches within arm’s reach at the top and bottom of the stairs. Unfortunately, most of New York’s escalators are not equipped with even the most basic features, making the devices unsafe for the users.

An Overview Of an Elevator or Escalator Injury Claim

Elevator and escalator accidents are legally referred to as “res ipsa loquitor” cases. This Latin phrase means the accident itself is proof that someone failed to take the necessary safety precautions. In other words, the accident could not have occurred unless someone was negligent.

In order to successfully prove an elevator or escalator accident claim in New York, we have to prove that the owner or the manager of the premises where the device is located had notice that the elevator or escalator required some type of maintenance. Notice can be done in two ways:

  • Other reports of the elevator or escalator acting weird before your accident occurred.
  • The building manager or property owner failed to keep up on the inspection of the elevator or failed to install the necessary safety equipment on an escalator, thus creating the dangerous condition.

If you can prove either of these two situations, the owner or manager of the building is responsible for the accident and you are entitled to compensation for your injuries resulting from the accident.

Aggressive Representation in New York Negligent Security Accident Claims

At Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., our legal team has more than 39 years of experience in successfully pursuing elevator or escalator accident claims on behalf of residents in both New York and New Jersey. We have the knowledge and financial resources to aggressively pursue your case and help you get the outcome that you deserve.

Although we settle many of our cases out of court, we prepare for them as if a full trial is necessary. No matter what your car accident claim involves, our legal team will aggressively represent your rights and interests throughout its entirety.

Call Us Today

Best Lawyers: Edward Gersowitz, Jeff Korek and Michael Fruhling - PartnersIf you or someone you know has been the victim of an injury due to an elevator or escalator accident in New York or New Jersey, you need knowledgeable and experienced New York / New Jersey elevator accident attorneys on your side. For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation with one of the attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek P.C., please call us at 1-800-529-9997.

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