New York Injury Lawyer Blog

Last month, an elevator accident in New York City at the Y&R agency took the life of a 41-year-old executive. According to the Los Angeles Times, reports of the fatal elevator accident state that investigators had pointed out "epidemic" problems with one of the elevator's lifts. Inspectors also reported that there were 11 violations written for 13 elevators at the building over the last month.

The fatal elevator accident happened in mid-December when the woman was boarding the elevator in a building off of Madison Avenue. Before she was able to get all the way into the elevator, it shot up and crushed her to death. Officials report that the elevator had been shut down so an investigation could be opened regarding malfunctions.

Our New York City elevator accident attorneys understand that 11 citations were written for a number of mechanical issues in this elevator, which could have caused the malfunctions that lead to the woman's death. These violations included problems with the elevator's cable, with the attachment of the clamps and with the materials used to hold the elevator's parts in place. All of these violations should have been addressed immediately after the violations were issued.

According to reports, the management team of that building says that the elevators were from Transel Elevator, which is the company currently being investigated for the mechanical problems. Just a few hours before the fatal New York elevator accident, workers with Transel reportedly performed electrical work on the elevator. Investigators have yet to conclude exactly why it malfunctioned.

Statistics conclude that there are roughly 120 billion elevator rides taken by residents in the country every year. According the U.S. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, elevator accidents kill about 30 people and injure another 17,000 each year.

To help reduce the risks of these types of accidents, ALLSAFE Elevator Inspections is here to offer everyday riders with a few safety tips. Safe riding can help to greatly reduce your risks for injury while riding an elevator.

Elevator Safety Tips:

-Be careful when getting on and off an elevator. Watch your step for uneven floors.

-Stay cautious of closing doors. Stay away from moving doors.

-Never force people or items on to an elevator. If there's not enough room, do not take the elevator.

-Never use an elevator in the event of an emergency.

-Never try to escape a stopped elevator.

-Never force the elevator doors open or close.

-Watch your step when getting on and off the elevator.

-Stand aside for more boarding passengers.

-When exiting the elevator, move away from the doors to allow other behind you to exit safely.

-If the car is full, wait the next car.

-Hold the hands of small children while getting on, riding and getting off an elevator.

-Hold a handrail if there is one available.

-Pay attention to the floor indications.

Continue reading "Elevator Accident in New York City Rushes Rider to Death" »

Thousands of New Yorkers use escalators or elevators every day whether going to and from home, work, school and government buildings, for instance. This time of year you're probably sharing elevators and escalators with shoppers at the mall.

New York City Department of Buildings supervises more than 63,000 escalators and elevators. On average, these slow-moving apparatuses make about 500 trips daily. New York City escalator and elevator accident attorneys know that with roughly 30 million trips daily, the risk of serious injury increases when the devices are not maintained or they become overcrowded.

We want to remind New Yorkers who are injured in an elevator or escalator accident in Manhattan, Queens or elsewhere that they should consider taking steps to hold property owners accountable. Owners or managers of office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, school buildings and housing facilities among others have an obligation to make sure the moving devices are working properly in an effort to prevent injuries.

An elevator or escalator may suddenly malfunction causing it to stop because of a faulty pulley system, wiring or door operation. These malfunctions may cause riders to fall, which can lead to head trauma, internal bleeding, broken bones, or severe cuts and lacerations. Stepping into an empty elevator shaft or getting clothing or other items stuck in an escalator are other common causes of injury.

Elevator and escalator operators and owners are required to have the moving apparatuses inspected five times every two years. Three of the inspections are performed by the NYC Building Department and two are conducted by private inspection agencies. Once the inspection is complete, a copy needs to be posted on the escalator or elevator or kept in the building owner's office.

The Department of Buildings spent a week in November educating children in schools throughout the five boroughs about the dangers and how to stay safe while riding on escalators and elevators. Brooklyn Daily Eagle reports children spent the week learning about and discussing the following safety tips:

-Step carefully when entering or exiting an elevator or escalator. Be careful that the steps or floor is level before you step.

-If you are riding in an elevator and it gets stuck, push the emergency button and wait for help to arrive.

-Closed elevator doors should never be forced open with your fingers or other body parts.

-Always face forward and hold on to the handrail while riding a moving escalator.

-Don't stand between the open doors of an elevator or attempt to stop them from closing automatically. If the doors begin to close, wait for the next elevator to arrive.

-Keep your hands away from the sides of an escalator below the handrails.

-Do not run up or down an escalator or jump around inside an elevator.

-Keep loose clothing, shoelaces, backpacks, or cords from electronic devices like iPods from catching in an elevator door or escalator step.

Continue reading "Keep Safety in Mind to Reduce New York City Elevator and Escalator Accidents This Holiday Season" »

Elevator and escalators in are a part of our everyday lives here in New York City. These devices are used in government buildings, apartments, schools, hotels, shopping malls, residences and in office buildings. Miners, excavators and construction workers also regularly use them.

When these escalators and elevators are not properly maintained, as many are not, serious injury in New York can result.

Our New York City elevator and escalator accident lawyers recognize that nearly 50 people are killed and almost 20,000 people are injured throughout the U.S. every year because of these types of accidents. As a matter of fact, elevators are the top cause for these types of deaths and injuries. They cause about 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of injuries caused by the two devices.

About a dozen deaths were the result of elevator accidents in New York City from 1992 to 2003. This is about three times more than anywhere else in the U.S. The number one cause for these accidents was the result of workers falling into shafts, getting caught between or in moving parts, collapsing elevators or being struck by the counterweights.

Escalators and elevators in New York City must be inspected five separate times every two years. Two of these inspections must be conducted by a private inspection agency while the other three times must be by the Building Department. Results of these inspections must be kept on file on the elevator or in the office of the building manager.

Owners and operators have a legal obligation to keep these machines in good working order. This order means that all escalators and devices need to be regularly services and inspected. If these conditions are not met and injury or death results, then maintenance companies, service companies and even manufacturers can be held responsible.

To help raise awareness about the importance of properly maintained elevators and escalators, the Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation will be holding National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week from November 13th to the 19th. This safety week is always celebrated during the second full week of November. It's used to help raise awareness in the public about the importance of safe-working equipment and to recognize some of the contributions that have been made by the industry toward our quality of life. Every year, volunteers reach millions of elevator and escalator riders and share important safety messages to them around the country.

In the United States, there are nearly 40,000 escalators and about 700,000 elevators. More than 325 million people use an elevator on a daily basis. Nearly 250 million people ride an escalator every day. Unfortunately, many of these riders in injured and involved in serious accidents because of the neglect of an overseeing party. These cases can be complicated and can point the finger at many parties. Please get experienced representation if you've been injured on an elevator or an escalator.

Continue reading "National Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week Addresses High Risks of Injury in New York City" »