Millions of people use
elevators every day without any question as to its safe operation. But once in
a while, a true horror story makes headlines that causes us to reconsider our safety.
Injuries that may result from these types of malfunctions are wide ranging from
the psychological trauma of witnesses to serious injuries to wrongful death.
A passenger aboard the Carnival Ecstasy filmed what appeared to be a scene from a horror flick. Rather it was blood flowing down the elevator's golden
door. The passenger said "it sounded like a
rainstorm . . ."
On December 27, a couple was heading to dinner
on the 10th floor of the cruise ship when they saw what appeared
to be a scene from a horror flick. Blood was flowing down the
elevator's golden door; the couple said it sounded like a rainstorm. A
66-year-old crew member working on the elevator was mortally injured. The investigation
into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
On New Years’ Eve, passengers riding
an elevator
of a Lower East Side apartment building thought little of the elevator’s
shudder as the doors closed. It was something residents had experienced many
times before. As a woman was about to exit on the third floor, the elevator
started moving again. Quickly thinking, a 25-year-old man, who was on his way
to a New Years’ Eve party in the building, pushed the woman out to safety. But
before he could pull back from the doorway, the elevator came crashing down,
pinning him between the ceiling of the elevator and the third floor entrance. His
legs were dangling in the elevator car as riders trapped inside frantically
dialed 911 and people in the hallway tried to pull the man out. The man was
rushed to a New York hospital, but couldn’t be saved.
According to city Department
of Buildings records, there have been 36 elevator complaints since 2009, seven
complaints were in 2015. In July 2011, a complaint said the middle elevator
dropped several floors while people were inside. Thirteen days later, another
said the elevator dropped several floors and the door’s opening was delayed. There
were three open violations for “failure to correct defects” issued by the city
Buildings Department after a 2012 inspection. A hearing related to a $200 fine
by the Environmental Control Board for problems with the elevators’ directional
lights had even been scheduled for the same day as the fatal accident.
Investigating elevator
accidents and determining fault can be complicated. The elevator company may be
responsible for failing to maintain the elevator, the manufacturer may be to
blame for using faulty parts or having prior knowledge of problems with
components of the elevator without a timely remedial response, and/or the property
owners may be liable for ignoring repair requests, taking short cuts to save
money, failing to maintain timely inspections, or otherwise negligent in
keeping the elevator in good working condition. For victims or family members
of those killed, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney as soon as
possible. An experienced attorney can help the families conduct an
investigation, determine who is to blame, find expert witnesses, and make a
claim for compensation.
Whether the case is settled through
out-of-court negotiations or is resolved through a personal injury or wrongful
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