Elevator injuries are rare but, when they do happen, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one recently suffered serious injury while using an elevator, you may be able to collect compensation for the full extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering. The attorneys at Dickerson Oxton, LLC handle premises liability cases arising from defective elevators and aggressively protect your right to compensation. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a Kansas City elevator injury lawyer at our firm today.
Elevator accidents often lead to serious, catastrophic, or even deadly injuries. Common injuries include paralysis, amputation, or wrongful death. These may occur as the result of stepping into an empty shaft, being hit by an elevator door, or the sudden rise or fall of an elevator car.
Determining Liability in an Elevator Accident
When an elevator malfunction leads to an injury or death, the first step is finding the parties responsible. Any of the following parties may be responsible for the damages that result:
- The property owner. First, it’s essential to determine if the elevator’s owner took proper care by conducting safety tests, tending to basic maintenance, and more. If an elevator’s owner did not properly maintain or take care of a dangerous or defective condition, he or she may be responsible for any injuries that result from that defect.
- The manufacturer of the elevator. At times the company who built or manufactured the elevator is responsible for the damage it causes. This applies when the unit was inherently defective or dangerous, or when something went wrong during the elevator’s production.
- Another third party. Elevators are highly specialized machines that require maintenance and care from a highly qualified and specifically trained expert. Most property owners do not have their own elevator technicians on staff; rather, they contract out to a third party. When a property owner orders routine maintenance and care, but an elevator still malfunctions, it may be because a third party negligently completed repairs.
As you can see, elevator accidents can involve multiple parties and require a thorough examination into the root cause of the incident. When an elevator accident does occur, it must go out of service and undergo an investigation per current Missouri safety standards. The local officials or state regulatory officials may also study the source of the accident.
Unfortunately, many property owners fail to report these incidents to the proper authorities, fearing retribution or more costly repairs. That’s why it’s essential to contact a Kansas City premises liability lawyer as soon as possible following an elevator accident. The attorneys at Dickerson Oxton, LLC are committed to protecting your right to compensation under Missouri law.
Damages in Elevator Accidents
Once you determine the party liable for your injuries, you can file a claim to compensation for the full extent of your damages with the help of a personal injury attorney in Kansas City. Some examples of these damages include:
- Economic damages. This provides reimbursem*nt for your material losses such as medical bills and lost wages. In the case of wrongful death, it also addresses final expenses such as loss in income and the burial and funeral.
- General damages. This is damages which compensate for intangible losses such as physical and emotional pain, suffering, and loss of partnership and consortium.
- Punitive damages. In limited circ*mstances, you may be able to collect additional damages from a defendant who commits gross negligence.
Though these are some examples of compensation, each case is unique. The negligent party may owe you for one or all of these kinds of damages. Talk to our team for a free review of your legal options. We help hold negligent parties accountable for their actions and secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Kansas City Elevator Accident Attorney
If you were the victim of an elevator accident in the Kansas City, MO area, it is possible your accident was caused by the negligence of another party. Dickerson Oxton, LLC has experience handling sensitive cases related to elevator injuries and deaths. Call a Kansas City elevator accident lawyer today at (816) 268-1960 or contact us via our contact form for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.
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