Elevator Accident Attorneys in Parsippany, NJ
Many people rely on elevators and escalators daily. Because of this, they do not usually think of them as dangerous. However, elevator and escalator accidents can cause life-changing, even catastrophic injuries. These may include broken bones, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, and even death. These injuries can have lifelong physical, financial, and emotional burdens on a person. If you have been injured in an elevator or escalator accident, you must retain the services of experienced legal counsel. At Lutz Injury Law, our legal team has over 30 years of experience helping victims of negligence. Contact our firm today to discuss your legal options.
Elevator Accident Liability
If an injured elevator accident victim wishes to pursue legal action, they must first determine who is liable for the accident. This can sometimes be a challenge, as elevators are complicated pieces of machinery. There are some cases in which the property owner is responsible for an accident. Other times, the accident may be the elevator or escalator manufacturer’s fault.
- Property Owner Liability: Property owners are responsible for maintaining safe premises for anyone on their property. If they were aware of an issue with the elevator/escalator or failed to properly maintain it, they can be held liable for the accident.
- Manufacturer Liability: Sometimes, elevators or escalators are improperly manufactured or produced. When an elevator/escalator has a design flaw, is defective, or was not properly labeled, accidents can occur. These situations may introduce a product liability matter in which the manufacturer is liable.
Proving Negligence
Once liability is determined, the injured party will generally seek to hold the negligent party responsible. However, to do this, they must first prove the other party’s negligence caused the accident. This can be challenging, but an experienced legal team can help. To prove negligence, the injured party and their attorney must gather evidence to satisfy the burden of proof. This evidence must show that the property owner knew, or should have known about the hazard that caused the accident, failed to fix it, and you were injured as a result. Evidence may consist of medical documentation of the injuries, pictures or videos, and any witnesses to the incident.
Recovering Compensation
If the injured party successfully proves negligence, they may recover financial compensation, which should ease the financial burdens they faced as a result of the accident. Injured victims can recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other finances related to the accident. Non-economic damages cover emotional distress, a loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
Contact a NJ Elevator Accident Attorney
Injuries sustained during an elevator or escalator accident can impact a person for the rest of their life. Our firm understands that, which is why the attorneys at Lutz Injury Law are proud to represent our clients when they need it most. If you were injured in an elevator or escalator accident and wish to speak with an experienced attorney regarding your case, contact Lutz Injury Law today.