Elevator Injuries

Ohio Elevator Injuries And Wrongful Death Law Firm

How Do Elevators Injure People In Ohio?

Americans often take for granted the safety of “vertical transportation” – elevators and escalators. However, elevator injuries are often serious, and may even result in death, to the general public, and to workers installing, maintaining and repairing them.

According to the data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 17,000 American consumers and workers suffer injury – and 30 Americans are killed – each year as a result of poorly maintained elevators or escalators.

Injuries and wrongful death associated with elevators and escalators can be horrific. Many of us are preoccupied with the issues of the day and take the smooth operation of this form of transportation for granted. On occasion, an elevator door will open without the presence of an elevator “car” leaving an open shaft. Falling into an open elevator shaft results in serious and catastrophic injury and often death.

If an elevator stops in between floors, it is important to exercise extreme caution if attempting to open the doors and crawl through them to escape the elevator car. One never knows when or if the car may regain power and attempt to continue on in its operation. People who are in the process of climbing out of an elevator in between floors have experienced the amputation or loss of limbs, crushing injury and often the loss of their life.

Escalators can prove to be dangerous as well. The “rail” is often traveling at a different speed than the conveyor upon which the occupant is standing. A malfunction in the escalator resulting in jerking or a sudden stop can lead to a serious fall, and result in head injuries, neck and back injuries and in some instances death.

A Challenge, Even For An Ohio Elevator Injury Law Firm

Elevator liability is a particularly challenging area of the law. These cases require imagination, perseverance and substantial resources. At Clark Perdue, we are committed to building a safer society through the creative and responsible litigation of elevator claims.

Clark, Perdue & List attorney, Glen Pritchard, describes the unique legal issues associated with claims arising out of elevators and escalators in an article published by the Columbus Bar Association.

Cases involving defective or dangerous Ohio elevators are frequently a battle of experts. Securing the assistance and testimony of qualified experts can be one of the most important, difficult and expensive tasks in preparing and presenting a product defect case. When considering an Ohio elevator accident attorney for a product defect case, it is important to question whether that attorney has ready access to the best experts in the field. Also, it is important to question whether the attorney is willing to advance reasonable expenses for an investigation of your case.

When Should You Hire An Elevator Accident Attorney In Ohio?

• If you experienced oxygen deprivation or asphyxiation from being trapped inside an elevator
• Falls resulting from an open elevator shaft
• If the malfunction of an escalator caused you to fall or resulted in serious injury
• Faulty mechanics, resulting in a sudden and uncontrolled fall of an elevator car
• Faulty electrical systems, resulting in electrocution