I have to admit that elevators in a building containing numerous floors can be handy.
Imagine a multi story building without elevators. We would all have to take the old fashioned route of walking – how would we ever cope with that? Some people may enjoy the exercise but others would not. Perhaps for many workers who work on the top floor of a multi story building time is of the essence. Taking an elevator to the top floor would certainly save time as opposed to walking up flights of stairs. And of course we have to consider elderly and disabled people, people with prams etc. Taking it all into account, elevators are necessary.
Many people have a genuine fear of elevators and avoid them all together. It is quite a common phobia. A well known elevator accident occurred in Minato, Tokyo, Japan in 2006. In this case a 16 year old high school student was killed by an elevator. The reports suggest that he was backing out of an elevator with his bike when the elevator suddenly rose with the doors still open, causing asphyxiation (Asphyxiation is the term given to blocking the airway, preventing someone to breathe and ultimately causing death).
Here in the UK there was the case of Ms Katarzyna Woja who was crushed to death when the lift at her gym (in London) fell between floors on the 12th March 2003. The company responsible for the lift admitted that its failure to maintain the lift and investigate previous problems had put lives at risk. It was reported that the lift dropped on the day before the accident and had allegedly been repaired. Between the 7th January 2002 and 11th March 2003 there were reported to be 41 separate call-outs in relation to the lift that killed Ms Woja. The statistics are damning, the accident should have been avoided.
If elevators are not properly maintained, accidents are likely to happen. The possibilities include lift doors closing on people, a lift falling between floors, a lift throwing people to the floor such as by jerking and unexpected movements, if the lift stops a few inches above or below the correct floor this could be a tripping hazard etc. If a lift simply stops for a valid reason then it may be difficult to make a claim, each case would be reviewed on its own set of circumstances. There may be a reason why a sudden emergency stop is necessary.
For some travelling in a lift is a horrifying experience. However lifts in the most part are safe and are necessary. Sufficient and regular maintenance by experienced and qualified personnel is essential. If you have been injured in some way by an elevator then you may be entitled to make a claim.
Each case is reviewed on its own unique set of circumstances. Every case is different. Therefore do not hesitate to call The Injury Lawyers today to discuss your claim.