Elevators are common features of large buildings in Maryland and most of the time, they work like they are intended to. However, here at McGowan & Cecil LLC, we know that when accidents do occur with this equipment, they can result in serious injuries and even death.
Injuries with elevators are much more common and are often attributed to problems with the elevator. Despite their technology, these devices are still mechanical in nature and this means that they can get stuck, the door may open before it is supposed to or the carriage of the elevator may not be flush with the floor when it stops.
Live Science points out that while fatal elevator accidents are not common, they do happen. In fact, it is estimated that 27 people are killed by elevators every year in the U.S. In 2011, two women died within a week of each other in separate accidents involving elevators and on opposite sides of the country. One was stuck in an elevator and when she tried to escape, she was crushed. The other woman was crushed against a wall inside the elevator shaft after the elevator rose up while she was trying to enter it.
Getting crushed and falling from an elevator make up the majority of accidents and not, surprisingly, most victims are people who are working on the elevators. For those who survive a fall or crushing, they may be left permanently paralyzed, suffer broken bones or incur traumatic brain injuries. For more information on injuries that are caused by elevators, please visit our web page.