Elevators and escalators provide convenient transportation, but severe injuries can occur if these machines are not properly inspected and maintained. Property owners have a duty to ensure the safety of an elevator or escalator on their premises. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our team is here to help if you need a Pittsburgh elevator and escalator accident attorney. We have the resources necessary to fully investigate these injury claims and help ensure that our clients recover the compensation to which they are entitled.
PITTSBURGH ELEVATOR AND ESCALATOR ACCIDENTS CAN RESULT IN SEVERE INJURIES
When properly maintained, elevators and escalators should never cause injuries to those who use them. However, improperly maintained elevators and escalators may lead to serious injuries. There are various ways that elevators and escalators can cause harm to those in and around Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Elevators and escalators are made up of hundreds of parts that move and require regular inspection and maintenance. Any broken part on an elevator or escalator can pose a significant hazard to users. Some of the most significant dangers are posed by body parts or clothing getting caught in elevator doors and moving parts. These incidents can lead to severe injuries or even death.
Injuries on elevators and escalators can also happen in a less dramatic fashion but nonetheless cause significant injuries. For example, sudden drops or a wet elevator floor can cause a person to slip and fall.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our Pittsburgh elevator and escalator accident lawyers help clients who have sustained the following injuries in these incidents:
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe sprains or strains
- Finger and toe amputations
- Open head wounds
- Spinal cord injuries with paralysis
- Other severe neck or back injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
DO ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS HAVE TO BE INSPECTED IN PITTSBURGH?
Yes, the Department of Labor and Industry has the sole jurisdiction to approve the construction and use of all elevators and other lifting devices, no matter where they are located in Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code. Property owners have to gain initial approval after a new elevator or escalator is installed, and law in the Commonwealth also requires that these devices be inspected regularly.
VICTIMS CAN SECURE COMPENSATION AFTER AN ELEVATOR OR ESCALATOR ACCIDENT
Elevator and escalator accident victims should be able to secure compensation if the careless or negligent actions or property owner caused their injuries. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our premises liability attorneys are regularly able to help clients recover various types of economic and non-economic compensation in these cases. This can include:
- Full coverage of medical bills
- Lost income if a victim cannot work
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent property owner
CALL A PITTSBURGH ELEVATOR & ESCALATOR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
If you or somebody you love has been injured on an elevator or escalator in Pittsburgh, you may be entitled to various types of compensation. The legal team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman has extensive experience handling these claims, and we are ready to get to work on your behalf. We will fully investigate what happened, handle negotiations with every party involved, and work to secure maximum compensation on your behalf. When you need an elevator and escalator accident attorney in Pittsburgh, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.