DC Elevator Accident Lawyer
In the Washington, DC area, companies are responsible for accidents that occur on their property, be they in the building, the elevator, or—depending on the circumstances—the street just outside their door. While elevator accidents are relatively rare in comparison to automobile accidents, the injuries sustained from such instances can be life altering and, in severe cases, life threatening. Seeking the help of an attorney who has experience in such accidents is a decision victims should make long before entering a courtroom. Following an elevator accident in the Washington, a highly qualified DC elevator accident lawyer can arm you with the knowledge necessary to build a strong case toward your recovery.
Because a large segment of elevator injuries and fatalities are suffered by elevator technicians and other people doing on-the-job activities, many elevator accidents may warrant the assistance of our firm’s workers’ compensation attorneys.
Though fatalities are rare, elevator related accidents are more common than one might expect. After two unrelated elevator incidents claimed the lives of four people in 2011, elevator tragedies became more widely covered in the news, leading to an uptick in both public anxiety about and in analysis of elevator accident statistics. Out the more than 18 billion elevator rides taken each year, it is estimated that roughly 27 elevator related accidents prove fatal. (For more info on elevator statistics, click here.)
If you believe that an injury you have sustained is due to a mechanical malfunction or manufacturing defect that could have been prevented, a DC elevator accident lawyer with our firm can investigate your case to determine whether a successful injury claim will be possible. If so, our personal injury team will fight to win you the compensation that can help you to take care of medical bills. You may also be eligible for compensation based on the pain and suffering you have experienced due to the accident.
Elevator Safety Codes
Like many codes of safety, elevator regulations vary slightly from state to state, meaning that being injured in an elevator in Washington, DC could involve different legal and regulatory rules than accidents occurring in other states. Our attorneys are very knowledgeable about Washington, DC injury liability law, and are well-equipped to analyze accident and premises liability law as it relates to elevator safety codes and elevator accidents. Here are some of the types of codes and regulations building owners are required to uphold in order to own and operate elevators, and also in order to deem them safe for the public to use:
- Construction of Hoist Ways
- Proper Bottom and Top Clearances
- Horizontal Car and Counterweight Clearances
- Speed Governing
- Loading and Capacity
- Enclosures, Doors, Gates and Frames
In order to own and operate an elevator, a range of safety standards and regulations must be met. If you were injured in an elevator related accident, it is possible that the owner of the elevator fell behind on the maintenance of the machine. One of the main reasons elevator accidents are rare is due to the strict implementation of the above mentioned regulations.
Elevator Accident Injuries
When elevator accidents occur, the injuries tend to be severe, both mentally and physically. Some of the injuries that one can suffer as a result of an elevator ride gone wrong include:
- Death
- Decapitation
- Severing of Body Parts
- Head Trauma
- Psychological Conditions
The psychological trauma related to elevator accidents can affect victims for the rest of their lives. A fear of elevators can prevent you from going to work, travelling with friends, or, if you live in an apartment complex, even leaving your home. In other cases, the fear of elevators can lead to a fear of heights or small spaces, or both.
Those who lose vital body parts due to elevator accidents might also lose the ability to perform routine tasks such as shopping, eating, working, and showering. Disfigurement is also psychologically taxing in a variety of different ways. The event could easily cost thousands of dollars in physical and mental therapy and that money should not come out of your pocket. Get the help of a DC elevator accident attorney, and make sure the negligent party is held accountable for your pain and suffering. If your loved one is killed as the result of an elevator accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death suit.
Seeking A DC Elevator Accident Lawyer
If you were the victim of an elevator accident in the Washington, DC area, it is possible that your accident was the direct result of someone else’s negligence. Our law firm has experience handling sensitive cases that relate to elevator injuries and fatalities. Call a DC elevator accident lawyer today to find out more about how our firm can help with your case. The initial consultation is free.