Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

Tragic Elevator Accident Highlights Danger Lurking in New York High Rises

On Behalf of | Oct 12, 2021 | Elevator Accidents

An elevator accident that killed a college athlete recently made national news as the boy’s mother spoke out about his life and his tragic death. The student athlete was killed when an elevator collapsed after being stuffed far beyond its listed weight capacity. However, as investigators note, the elevator had not been inspected as it should have with COVID used as an excuse. While this tragic death didn’t happen in NYC, it does shine a light on a danger that all of us face every day. Indeed, the risk for tragic elevator accidents in New York City increases with every new building, every apartment complex renovation, and every day that goes by.

In New York City elevators must be regularly inspected for faults and that accurate records of those inspections be kept and available. However, the number of elevators and escalators in New York has far outpaced the ability of inspectors to keep up with. What’s worse, many of the inspections that did occur in the recent past were completed by uncertified individuals. Indeed, one investigation into the state of elevator safety in NYC found that dozens of inspections were missed, dozens more were falsified, and still more resulted in faults being discovered but never repaired.

Sadly, with the state of the elevator inspections process today, it’s nearly impossible to tell if the elevator you’re about to step into is safe or not. And while elevators typically malfunction after years of used, even newer lifts can fall victim to manufacturing defects and improper installation. And even when failures are not catastrophic, the injuries riders can face from a minor malfunction can be serious and life altering with injuries to the head, spine, and neck.

If you have been hurt in an elevator due to a malfunction of some kind, contact an expert elevator accident lawyer in New York City to discuss the legal options available to you. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.

Archives

Archives