Over 17,000 Americans are injured in elevator accidents every year. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this amounts to approximately 1,400 injuries every month. In a large city like San Antonio with multiple high-rise, multi-level buildings, the rate of elevator accidents is likely to be even higher.
As these numbers suggest, elevator accidents are both more common and more serious than you may assume. If victims are armed with the right information, they and their premises liability attorney can make the right decisions to ensure they see justice for their injuries.
What Causes Elevator Accidents?The number one cause of San Antonio elevator accidents is a lack of proper maintenance. Elevators are complex machines and require thorough maintenance conducted by trained professionals. Additionally, unqualified repairmen, lack of fall protection/barriers, and operation of elevators during maintenance can cause dangerous accidents. Whatever the cause of the accident, if someone’s negligence led to your injuries, they should be held accountable.
Property Owners Can Be Held Liable for Malfunctioning ElevatorsDid you know that Texas law states that property owners can be held financially responsible for accidents if they are found to have been negligent in upkeep their property? This concept of “premises liability” extends to the elevators installed in apartment buildings, shopping malls, business complexes, and other public and private properties across the city.
It is the responsibility of building owners or business proprietors to conduct regular inspections on all operating elevators. If a property owner fails to do so and their invited guests, customers, or visitors are injured by a faulty elevator, they can be held accountable through a premises liability lawsuit. There are many quality San Antonio premises liability law firms that can help you through this process and ensure your injury claim includes the full extent of your damages.
Damages Claimed in Elevator Injury LawsuitsA faulty elevator can be incredibly dangerous. The weight of the elevator car can be fatal for victims who have fallen down the shaft. Abrupt stops or crashes can result in serious falls and broken bones. Victims may suffer both short and long-term injuries from these accidents, costing them thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages.
If you are in financial distress after a serious elevator accident, you should know that the State of Texas protects your right to seek fair compensation for your economic and non-economic losses by filing a premises liability lawsuit against the owner of the property where you were injured.
These damages could include:
If your elevator accident was caused by a negligent property owner, you should schedule a legal consultation as soon as possible. Hiring a quality premises liability attorney with previous experience representing elevator accident victims can ensure that you see the compensation you deserve. However, it is important that you schedule your consultation before the two-year statute of limitations for Texas premises liability lawsuits expires.
The Texas Premises Liability Attorneys at Carabin Shaw Can HelpIf you have been injured in an elevator accident in San Antonio, you deserve to seek fair compensation for your losses. The personal injury attorneys of Carabin Shaw have represented San Antonio accident victims and their families for the past three decades. We are dedicated to ensuring our clients’ best interests are protected throughout the financial settlement or litigation process.
Carabin Shaw’s client reviews reflect our ongoing dedication to providing quality representation to San Antonio accident victims like you. To schedule your no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a Carabin Shaw injury lawyer, contact our 24/7 English and Spanish-speaking office staff toll-free at 800-862-1260.