New Yorkers ride elevators and escalators all day without thinking about it. That only works when owners and maintenance companies do their jobs.
What Goes Wrong
- Misleveling, where the car stops above or below the floor and causes a trip or fall
- Doors that close on a passenger or fail to reopen
- Sudden drops, jolts, and abrupt stops
- Doors that open onto an empty shaft
- Escalators that stop suddenly or reverse
- Missing or broken escalator steps and comb plates
Who May Be Responsible
- The building owner and the managing agent
- The elevator maintenance company under contract for the building
- A contractor that recently repaired or modernized the equipment
- The manufacturer, if a defect caused the failure
Hurt in an elevator or escalator accident?
Both the building owner and the elevator maintenance company may be responsible. In some cases, the accident itself can help prove that someone was careless, even without direct proof of what went wrong.
Evidence We Go After
- Maintenance logs and service call records
- City inspection reports and violations
- Prior complaints and incident reports for the same car
- Lobby and cab camera video
Some of these accidents simply do not happen unless someone was careless, and the law recognizes that in the right case. Every case is different, and the rules that apply depend on the facts, the parties, and the insurance involved. Once we discuss your claim and complete the necessary research, our office will confirm which deadlines and coverage apply to you.
What You Can Recover
- Medical bills, past and future
- Lost wages and loss of future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Deadlines
Most New York injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the accident.
For elevators and escalators in subway stations, NYCHA buildings, and other public property: Claims against the City of New York, the Transit Authority, NYCHA, or another public agency move faster. A written notice of claim is generally due within 90 days, and the lawsuit generally must be filed within one year and 90 days.
Common Questions
I tripped because the elevator was not level with the floor. Is that a real case?
Yes. Misleveling is one of the most common elevator defects and a frequent cause of serious falls.
The building says the elevator company is responsible, and the elevator company blames the building. What happens?
We bring the claim against both and let the records show who knew what.
I was hurt working on an elevator. Can you help?
Possibly. Depending on the work, the Labor Law may apply in addition to workers' compensation.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
The consultation is free. There is no fee unless we win, and we advance the costs of the case. You speak with your attorney directly, not a call center.