Elevator Accident Lawyer

Elevator Accident Lawyer

When you patronize a retail store, grocery store, restaurant, bar, hotel, or golf course, you expect that the property will be free of hazards that could cause you harm. Managers or owners of these types of venues, as well as of public or governmental buildings, have a responsibility to maintain their property so that it is safe for customers, visitors, and employees. If a property is unsafe, defective, or dangerous and someone is injured, a property owner can be liable for damages under the theory of premises liability. An experienced elevator accident lawyer will help you determine if injuries you sustain on commercial or public property might entitle you to compensation.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an elevator accident, our team can help you get the highest compensation. In the following sections, you’ll find answers to common questions about elevator accidents that may help you get a better understanding of your rights and options.

Do I need to hire an elevator accident lawyer?

The job of the insurance company is to pay out as little as possible and close the claim as quickly as possible. If you choose to go up against a property owner’s insurance company alone, you will likely lose out on the compensation you deserve. If you’ve suffered serious injuries that have affected your quality of life or your ability to work, you deserve to get the highest compensation to help you recover from your accident.

When you need an elevator accident lawyer on your side, contact Ariel Law Group. We offer free consultations to help you better understand your options and answer questions you may have. 

What should I do after an elevator accident?

If you’re injured in an elevator accident, the first thing you should do is take care of yourself. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Once you’ve taken care of your injuries and health, you can do the following.

• File a report with the property owner or store manager.
• Take photos of the area where the accident occurred and anything that may have contributed to the accident.
• Get contact information such as names, phone numbers, and addresses from witnesses who saw your accident.
• Get the name and job title of any employee you speak to.
• Document the facts of the accident as soon as possible to avoid forgetting any important details.
• If there are cameras in the store, take photos of them and request footage of the elevator accident. If you have hired an elevator accident lawyer, they will be able to request this footage for you.
• Do not talk to any insurance company representatives or representatives of the business. In addition to this, do not allow yourself to be recorded. There is no law that states that you are required to allow an insurance adjuster to record you.
• Keep all evidence, medical records, and other important documents related to your case in a safe and secure place.

Finally, contact an elevator accident lawyer. At Ariel Law Group, we offer free consultations to help you better understand your options and answer questions you may have. With more than 30 years of experience, we’re the aggressive team you want on your side.

Who is liable for an elevator accident?

There are several entities that coil potentially be liable for your elevator accident injury.

The company that owns or maintains the elevator

Companies that own or maintain elevators are known as “common carriers” and have a duty of care to ensure that the elevators they maintain can safely transport anyone who uses it. If common carriers fail to live up to this duty of care, they will be held legally liable for any victim’s injuries and losses.

Your employer

On construction sites and for maintenance workers, elevators can prove to be a danger. When an employee is injured in an elevator while working, they are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Every employer in California is required to have workers’ compensation coverage for their employees. Further, you as an employee do not have to prove who was legally responsible for your injuries, as workers’ compensation policies are no-fault policies. As long as you sustained your injury while performing the duties of your occupation, you have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim against your employer.

The manufacturer of the elevator

In some cases, elevator accidents are caused by a manufacturing issue. If this is found to be the case, the victim can file a claim against the elevator’s manufacturer. United States law provides consumers with strong legal protections against product liability. These protections require that manufacturers ensure that their products are free from defects and safe for consumers to use. If this is not the case and a consumer is injured, the manufacturer is required to compensate the victim. In these cases, the consumer does not have to prove that the manufacturer was negligent as long as the product was being used as intended.

What type of compensation am I entitled to after an elevator accident?

If you are involved in an elevator accident, the compensation you are entitled to will be influenced by a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the following.

• Past, present, and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the accident. This includes hospital bills, ambulance bills, physical therapy, consultations with specialists, and in-home care services
• Past and future lost wages resulting from the accident.
• Out-of-pocket expenses caused by expenses resulting from the accident.
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. 
• Punitive damages if the accident was the result of malicious or willful actions.
• Wrongful death damages if a close relative dies resulting from a slip and fall accident.

What you are entitled to may not yet be clear to you, but an experienced elevator accident lawyer will analyze your case to determine the damages you are entitled to. 

What is the average settlement amount in an elevator accident case?

The amount of your settlement will depend on a variety of factors. In addition to this, California is a comparative negligence state, which means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your settlement amount will be affected. Other factors that can affect your settlement amount include the following.

• The extent of the victim’s injuries
• The victim’s age and status of their health prior to the fall
• How the victim’s injuries impacted their quality of life
• How the accident impacted the victim’s ability to work

An elevator accident lawyer will analyze your case to determine the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

Experienced Elevator Accident Lawyer Willing to Fight For You

When you’re in need of an elevator accident lawyer, Ariel Law Group is the team you want on your side. Our team of experienced attorneys has handled many cases in California involving premises liability. We have helped people in many different situations recover compensation to pay for medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more.

Individuals harmed by the negligence of others deserve justice. With more than 30 years of combined experience, we will fight to get you the money you need and deserve.

Contact us to Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or a loved one been injured in an elevator accident? One of our experienced premises liability lawyers at Ariel Law Group can help determine where liability lies and discuss what compensation might be available for your injuries. Our attorneys and staff speak English and Spanish for your convenience.