Thousands of elevator accidents and injuries take place in California every year. Many of the injuries are very serious, some resulting in long-term disability and even death.

Elevator accidents take place more often than most people are aware and are commonly caused by one or more of the following:

• Brake failure
• Safety device failure
• Mis-leveling
• Defective or broken cables
• Rapid unexpected acceleration
• Rapid unexpected deceleration
• Person being trapped in the elevator
• Elevator door opens but the car is not present
• Elevator door opens unexpectedly while person is inside
• Elevator car is traveling too rapidly
• Electrical circuit failure
• Failure to inspect or maintain

 

 

Who is Responsible for an Elevator Injury?

 

The party or parties responsible for elevator accidents will depend on the particular facts of each incident, but may include one or more of the following:

• Property owner
  
• Property management company
  
• Elevator maintenance company
  
• Elevator manufacturer
  
• Elevator installer

 

 

Compensation for Elevator Injuries

 

While no two elevator accident cases and resulting injuries are identical, common claims for financial damages include the following:

• Past pain and suffering
• Current pain and suffering
• Future pain and suffering
• Past medical costs
• Future medical costs
• Pain management expenses
• Physical therapy
• Loss of past income
• Loss of future income