Elevator and escalators in are a part of our everyday lives here in New York City. These devices are used in government buildings, apartments, schools, hotels, shopping malls, residences and in office buildings. Miners, excavators and construction workers also regularly use them.
When these escalators and elevators are not properly maintained, as many are not, serious injury in New York can result.
Our New York City elevator and escalator accident lawyers recognize that nearly 50 people are killed and almost 20,000 people are injured throughout the U.S. every year because of these types of accidents. As a matter of fact, elevators are the top cause for these types of deaths and injuries. They cause about 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of injuries caused by the two devices.
About a dozen deaths were the result of elevator accidents in New York City from 1992 to 2003. This is about three times more than anywhere else in the U.S. The number one cause for these accidents was the result of workers falling into shafts, getting caught between or in moving parts, collapsing elevators or being struck by the counterweights.
Escalators and elevators in New York City must be inspected five separate times every two years. Two of these inspections must be conducted by a private inspection agency while the other three times must be by the Building Department. Results of these inspections must be kept on file on the elevator or in the office of the building manager.
Owners and operators have a legal obligation to keep these machines in good working order. This order means that all escalators and devices need to be regularly services and inspected. If these conditions are not met and injury or death results, then maintenance companies, service companies and even manufacturers can be held responsible.
To help raise awareness about the importance of properly maintained elevators and escalators, the Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation will be holding National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week from November 13th to the 19th. This safety week is always celebrated during the second full week of November. It’s used to help raise awareness in the public about the importance of safe-working equipment and to recognize some of the contributions that have been made by the industry toward our quality of life. Every year, volunteers reach millions of elevator and escalator riders and share important safety messages to them around the country.
In the United States, there are nearly 40,000 escalators and about 700,000 elevators. More than 325 million people use an elevator on a daily basis. Nearly 250 million people ride an escalator every day. Unfortunately, many of these riders in injured and involved in serious accidents because of the neglect of an overseeing party. These cases can be complicated and can point the finger at many parties. Please get experienced representation if you’ve been injured on an elevator or an escalator.
If you or a loved one has been injured on an elevator or as escalator in Queens, Manhattan or the surround areas, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose PLLC. Call for a free no-obligation appointment to discuss your case at 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
Holidays Bring Risk of Defective Product Injury in New York, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, October 28, 2011
