Common Reasons For Elevator Malfunction
There is a whole host of things that could go wrong in an elevator and cause it to malfunction. Here, I want to discuss some of these categories in greater detail. From manufacturing, to installation, to maintenance, to use, there are many ways that a malfunction could occur. Some malfunctions are minor and do not result in any injuries, or only minor injuries. However, in some cases, malfunctions can cause serious injuries. Determining who is responsible for these injuries is an important step in recovery. Here, I will discuss elevator malfunctions in greater detail, and provide information regarding what to do if you do face an injury.
Manufacturing Issues
The first major type of malfunction that you might come across in terms of elevators is a manufacturing issue. If parts of an elevator are created improperly, the elevator will not work as it is designed to. While elevator parts are checked in an attempt to avoid this issue, it is possible that some parts are not properly built. If an accident results and a person is injured, the manufacturer is responsible for any injuries.
Installation Issues
Installing an elevator is not an easy task. People hired to install elevators should be properly trained and licensed to do so. If they are not, the chance for issues with installation could increase. Even if a person is qualified to install an elevator, issues can still occur. Human error might mean that certain pieces are installed incorrectly. Once again, this could cause accidents and injuries. In this case, the installation team would be responsible for any injuries that occur.
Maintenance Issues
Elevators are complex pieces of machinery, and they require constant maintenance. The elevator owner should call a team to come and check on the elevator periodically to make sure that it is up to code and all pieces are working properly. If the owner does not do this, they can be responsible for subsequent injuries.
If maintenance is performed improperly, this is the fault of the maintenance team. They can be held responsible for accidents and injuries.
Passenger Issues
Sometimes accidents occur because passengers use elevators incorrectly. For example, some types of elevators are not designed to carry people. If a person uses a freight elevator, they will likely be held responsible for any injuries.
Other common issues are overcrowding an elevator car, playing with the door and getting caught in it, and jumping in the elevator. All of these issues would be the fault of the passenger for not using the elevator correctly.
Getting Help
If you were injured in an accident that you think is someone else’s fault, you could have a personal injury case. Identifying who is responsible can be a difficult process. If you contact our office, one of our lawyers can help you determine who is responsible. Once this is taken care of, you can file a personal injury claim and get compensation for your injuries. For more information about this process, please contact our office. We are happy to help.