Why Do Elevator Accidents Occur?

April 15, 2015by Aaron Allison

Did you know that each year thousands of people are injured in elevator accidents in the U.S.? Sadly, in addition to severe injuries, about 30 people die annually because of elevator mishaps. Photo of brain scan

Unfortunately, elevator accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including defective parts, which can cause doors to stop or close on an individual, causing entrapment or terrible falls. Additionally, they can occur when defects lead to sudden drops or rises.

Often, those who are injured in elevator accidents are not civilians; they are employees and maintenance workers. Remember, in most cases, property owners are responsible for all elevator maintenance, including making sure there are no defects with mechanical parts.

The failure of a property owner to maintain an elevator can lead to personal injury lawsuits, and third party and workers’ compensation claims for employees who are injured on the job.

Hurst Worker Injured in Elevator Accident

We bring up elevator accidents because recently a Hurst man was seriously injured in a mishap. According to CBS News, the accident occurred in April when the man fell down an elevator shaft. Reports indicate that the man was doing repair work in the shaft when he leaned over and another elevator struck him in the head.

The incident remains under investigation. The man was taken by CareFlite air ambulance to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth for treatment.

Contacting an Attorney Following a Workplace Accident

As we noted above, it may be wise to speak to an attorney if you are injured in an elevator accident, especially if you were on the job at the time of the incident. Remember, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation and/or you may be able to pursue a lawsuit for damages.

Keep in mind, in Texas, employers have a choice to subscribe to the workers’ compensation system. If your employer has a workers’ compensation policy, you may be able to seek payments for lost income and medical treatment. If your employer is a non-subscriber, through a lawsuit, you may be able to seek damages to pay for hospital bills, rehabilitation expenses and lost wages.

Additionally, it should be noted that if you are involved in an accident that is a result of a defective mechanical part or the failure of a property owner to maintain a safe premises, you may be able to file a third party claim.

The Law Offices of Aaron Allison – Austin Personal Injury Attorney

[Did You Know? About 17,000 people are injured each year in elevator and escalator accidents in the U.S.]

Source: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/04/06/worker-in-nrh-seriously-injured-in-elevator-accident/

Aaron Allison