Elevator accident injuries can be just as devastating as those that occur in a vehicle. Elevators exist in many parts of our lives. They can be found in any modern building over one story high. Construction sites need them to move men and equipment multiple floors. Service elevators can be found in many buildings to move cargo and equipment to upper floors. No matter where an elevator can be found, safety standards must be maintained. Any injury caused by an elevator must be examined for possible negligence. The same goes for escalators as well.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, accidents involving elevators and escalators kill about 30 people each year in the United States and seriously injure 17,000 more. When accidents occur in or around elevators, resulting in injury or death, who can be held liable?

If the cause of the accident is due to the construction of the lift or any of its components, the manufacturer may be liable for the injuries sustained. This would be classified as a product liability claim. As with any other product, lifts must be inspected and tested before being placed on the market. The manufacturer can be held liable if a defect occurs during manufacturing. If they know of a defect and don’t warn their customers, they are liable. Elevators are boxes attached to the ends of cables in a shaft with guide rails. If any of the parts malfunction, the elevator can plunge people down dozens of floors. Many manufacturers install their own elevators. This makes them responsible for any installation issues.

Building owners and managers can also be held liable for injuries from elevator accidents. Most jurisdictions in the country have high safety standards for elevators. Owners and managers are required to keep their elevators up to code. They should also invest in the right safety devices and equipment. They must also have an emergency plan in case the elevator needs to be evacuated outside of normal channels. Since elevators are complex machines, lack of regular maintenance can also lead to negligence. If an owner or manager fails to do any of these and an injury or death occurs, they can be held liable.

However, since most building owners and managers are not equipped to service and maintain their own elevators, they often hire companies that specialize in this type of service. Service and maintenance companies can also be held liable for elevator accident injuries. There is an entire industry dedicated to its maintenance. Elevators are complex pieces of equipment and most homeowners can’t do it themselves. They hire specialists to come and do it for them. Maintenance companies can be held responsible for the regular maintenance that they are supposed to perform by contract. Repairs also fall under your liability umbrella. If an accident occurs due to faulty repairs or maintenance, the service company may be held liable.

If you are injured in an elevator accident, consider who you will be up against in this fight: big business and insurance companies who may not want to fairly compensate you for your injuries. Contact a personal injury attorney experienced in premises liability and products liability cases. Your case is too important to trust anyone who is not a specialist in the field.