Seeking Compensation for Victims Injured in Elevator Accidents Throughout Florida

An elevator accident in Florida can take someone by surprise and lead to serious physical injuries and emotional scarring. Severe elevator injuries can lead to paralysis, amputation, or even death. An elevator accident victim’s basic daily life activities, such as walking, working, or taking care of oneself can become difficult or impossible. Our experienced Florida elevator accident injury attorneys at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the steps to pursue financial compensation and recovery following an elevator accident anywhere in Florida.

Psychological distress is very common among victims of elevator accidents, often manifesting as anxiety, fear of elevators, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The financial aftermath of an elevator accident can be daunting. Medical bills can quickly pile up, ranging from emergency care to long-term treatments and therapies. If the injury causes a reduced ability to work or complete loss of income, your financial strain can be even greater. Fortunately, the law provides a way for elevator accident victims in Florida to seek appropriate compensation for harms and losses they have suffered due to someone else’s carelessness.

A Florida elevator accident injury attorney at Britto & Herman can help you navigate the complex legal process, gather necessary evidence, and prove negligence on the part of the property owner or elevator manufacturer. Your attorney can also negotiate with insurance companies if you are seeking appropriate compensation for covering your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

If an appropriate settlement is not forthcoming, our lawyers at Britto & Herman are prepared to take your case to trial, just as we have done for many of our satisfied clients. By handling the legal aspects of the case, our accident attorneys help injured victims throughout Florida focus on recovery. Contact our experienced trial attorney team at Britto & Herman today to schedule a free consultation, where we will assess your unique injury case.

Common Causes of an Elevator Accident

Elevator accidents in Florida can occur for a variety of reasons, often related to neglect. The following are some common causes:

• Broken or Dysfunctional Elevator Doors: This can lead to passengers being injured by a door closing too suddenly.
• Defective Doors: The majority of elevators have doors with built-in sensors, and defects in these sensors can cause accidents.
• Pulley System Malfunctions: Faults in the pulley system can lead to uncontrolled movement of the elevator.
• Doors Opening or Closing Prematurely: If doors do not align with their timing mechanism, such errors can cause accidents.
• Mis-leveling: This occurs when the elevator does not align correctly with the floor level.
• Traveling at Unsafe Speeds: Elevators moving too fast can cause injuries, especially if they stop abruptly.
• Slips, Trips, or Falls: These types of accidents can be caused by wet floors, sudden movements, or obstructions.
• Mechanical Failure: This can include issues with the elevator’s control system, wiring, or other components.
• Lack of Proper Maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial for safe elevator operation. Without it, various mechanical issues can arise, leading to accidents and injuries.

Common Injuries from Elevator Accidents in Florida

Elevator accidents can lead to a variety of common injuries:

• Electrocutions: Faulty wiring within the elevator can lead to electrocution, causing severe burns or even death.
• Crush Injuries: These occur when a body part becomes trapped between the elevator and another object, such as the elevator doors or shaft.
• Head Trauma: This can be caused by falling or being hit by a falling object in the elevator. These can include traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Elevator accident victims can suffer serious and catastrophic injuries to their spinal cords, which can be debilitating and have significant implications for quality of life and expenses.
• Back Injuries: The sudden stop or fall of an elevator can cause significant strain on the spine, leading to serious back injuries.
• Neck Injuries: Similar to back injuries, these can occur due to the sudden movement of the elevator. Elevator accident victims may suffer whiplash due to abrupt speed changes, which may not be immediately symptomatic. This underscores the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to carefully diagnose injuries.
• Nerve Damage: This can be caused by severe trauma to the body, especially in crush injuries or broken bones.
• Cuts and Bruises: Sharp objects or debris in the elevator can cause these injuries.
• Severed Limbs: In extreme cases, a limb can be trapped and severed by the elevator doors.
• Broken Bones: The force of an elevator’s sudden movement can lead to fractures. Legs, arms, and fingers are commonly affected.
• Facial Injuries: These can occur from falls or due to flying debris in the event of an accident.
• Death: Unfortunately, elevator accidents can sometimes be fatal. In these cases, we can help surviving family members explore a wrongful death claim.

An experienced elevator accident lawyer at Britto & Herman can assess liability for elevator accident injuries in your unique case.

Liability and Damages for an Elevator Accident in Florida

Proving liability in an elevator accident in Florida involves demonstrating negligence, which means showing that there was a failure to use reasonable care on the part of one or more of several parties that were responsible for the safety of the elevator. The parties involved could range from the property owner to the company responsible for elevator maintenance. Gathering evidence to support your claim is crucial and can include maintenance records, eyewitness testimonies, or expert witness opinions.

In terms of compensatory damages for which you may be able to seek compensation, there are two types: economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible and easily-quantifiable costs related to the accident. They can include:

• Medical expenses: These may include costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical costs related to the injury.
• Lost wages: If the injured person cannot work while recovering, they can be compensated for lost income. Future lost earnings are also considered if the person’s ability to work is permanently affected.
• Property damage: If any personal belongings were damaged in the accident, their repair or replacement cost can be included.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages are intangible and relatively subjective losses experienced by the victim. They may include:

• Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injuries. This may also include compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If the injuries prevent the person from enjoying activities they used to take part in, they may be compensated for this loss.
• Emotional distress: This can include anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues arising from the accident and the injuries sustained.

An experienced elevator injury lawyer can help victims navigate these complexities, gather necessary evidence, and negotiate for fair compensation.

Statute of Limitations for an Elevator Accident Claim in Florida

The statute of limitations for elevator accident cases in Florida is generally two years. This means that victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Additionally, with the modified comparative negligence rules that went into effect in 2023, any potential compensation may be reduced based on the percentage of fault attributed to the victim. Hence, if a plaintiff is found to be 20% at fault, their damages will be reduced by 20%. Furthermore, a party determined to be over 50% at fault cannot seek financial compensation.

It’s wise to promptly consult with an experienced attorney to navigate these complexities and ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate time frame.

Scenarios Involving an Elevator Accident in Florida

Elevator accidents in Florida can occur under various circumstances, including the following scenarios:

• Mechanical Malfunction: Issues with the pulley system can cause the elevator car to fall, leading to serious injuries.
• Improper Maintenance: If the elevator equipment isn’t properly maintained, it can malfunction and cause accidents.
• Leveling Problems: When the elevator doesn’t align correctly with the floor, people can trip and fall while entering or exiting.
• Broken Elevator Doors: If the doors malfunction and close unexpectedly, they can cause crush injuries or severed limbs.
• Speeding: An elevator moving too fast can cause passengers to lose their balance and fall, possibly leading to injuries.
• Electrocutions: Faulty wiring within the elevator can cause electrocution, leading to severe injuries.
• Falls Down the Elevator Shaft: This can occur if the elevator doors open when the elevator is not aligned with the floor, or if the elevator suddenly drops.
• Elevator Fires: Faulty wiring or other electrical issues can lead to fires within the elevator.

Potential Defendants in a Florida Elevator Accident Case

In an elevator accident injury case in Florida, potential defendants can include:

• Property Owners: The owner of the building where the elevator is located may be liable if they failed to maintain the elevator properly or address known issues.
• Elevator Maintenance Companies: These companies can be held responsible if they failed to adequately maintain, inspect, or repair the elevator.
• Elevator Manufacturers: If a defect in the design or manufacturing of the elevator caused the accident, the manufacturer could be held accountable.
• Building Management Companies: These entities may be liable if they neglected their duty to ensure the safe operation of the elevator.
• Contractors and Subcontractors: If a contractor or subcontractor performed work on the elevator that was negligent or substandard, they may be held liable.

Each case is unique, and determining liability often requires a thorough investigation. Consult with a knowledgeable injury attorney who can help identify the potential defendants in your case.

Escalator Accidents are Similar Cases

Elevator and escalator accidents often have many elements in common. The legally liable party is often guilty of the same or similar kinds of negligence in an elevator or escalator accident, though they differ mechanically. Escalator accidents are more common than elevator accidents, and these often involve falling onto the escalator’s sharp metal stairs, falling off of the escalator, or being caught in the escalator’s moving parts. Each of these scenarios can be very dangerous.

Common injuries due to escalator accidents include fractures, sprains, strains, traumatic brain injuries, and in severe cases, amputations. Some escalator injuries unfortunately lead to the victim’s death. The causes of elevator and escalator accidents are often similar or overlapping, but there is perhaps a greater chance that an injured person’s own negligence may have been partially responsible for an escalator injury, which could be especially important given Florida’s modified comparative negligence rules. If you have suffered an escalator accident in Florida, discuss this matter with an experienced Florida escalator injury lawyer at Britto & Herman in order to determine your next steps to seek recovery.

How an Elevator Accident Injury Attorney Can Help

An elevator accident injury attorney at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers can help you seek appropriate financial compensation and recovery for injuries in several ways following an elevator injury in Florida:

• Case Evaluation: Your attorney can evaluate the specifics of your case, identify potential defendants, and help you understand your legal rights.
• Investigation: Your lawyer can conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident, gathering evidence such as maintenance records, surveillance footage, and witness statements.
• Working with Expert Witnesses: Your attorney may consult with expert witnesses, such as engineers or medical professionals, to establish the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies to seek the compensation you need.
• Litigation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our experienced trial attorneys can represent you in court and fight for your rights.

Request a free consultation with an experienced Florida elevator accident lawyer at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers. This complimentary case evaluation can provide you a personalized review of your case and guidance onto the right course of action to seek financial compensation and recovery.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today with Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers to Explore Your Florida Elevator Accident Injury Case

At Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers, we prioritize seeking justice for accident victims and their families. If you have been injured in an elevator accident in Florida, there are many details to assess in order to determine the negligent parties that may be liable for your injuries and losses. Our legal team understands that suffering a serious injury can have a profound impact on your life, and we are committed to seeking the maximum compensation appropriate to account for your medical care and expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the accident. We serve all Florida counties, and we are ready to help you strategize your next steps.

We want to understand how we can help you. Contact us today at our Florida law firm to schedule a free case evaluation and discuss your elevator accident injury claim with one of our skilled and knowledgeable personal injury lawyers by calling (561) 835-5555(561) 835-5555 or filling out our online form. Our dedicated team has recovered millions for Florida residents through accident claims for personal injuries. Let us advocate for your rights.

Our record demonstrates our unwavering dedication to seeking justice for accident victims. Unlike many other Florida personal injury law firms, we are well-prepared to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in court if it is necessary. We are available 24/7 to fight for you.

The Voice for Florida Injury Victims

Frequently-Asked Questions Regarding Elevator Accident Injury Claims in Florida

What are common causes of elevator accidents?

Frequent causes comprise lack of regular inspections, defective manufacturing, and inadequate maintenance practices.

What are some examples of elevator injury cases?

Elevator accident injury cases can vary greatly. Some examples include doors closing too quickly, abrupt stops causing falls, falls down elevator shafts, crushing incidents, falls or injuries due to an elevator stopping and/or opening its doors above or below the proper level, or failures leading to trapped occupants.

What types of injuries are common in elevator accidents?

Common injuries in elevator accidents include fractures, crush injuries, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, nerve damage, and spinal cord injuries. Electrocutions and burns from fire during elevator malfunction are also possible. Unfortunately, some elevator accidents are fatal.

Who can be held responsible in an elevator accident case in Florida?

Potential defendants in an elevator accident case in Florida can include property owners, property managers, elevator manufacturers, maintenance companies, or any other party whose negligence contributed to the accident.

Can I sue if I was injured due to an elevator accident in a hotel in Florida?

Yes, you can pursue a lawsuit against the hotel for negligence if they failed to properly ensure the safety of their elevators. Discuss the circumstances of your unique injury case with your attorney.

What kind of evidence do I need to collect to prove negligence in a Florida elevator accident case?

Evidence can include photographs of the elevator, maintenance records, and testimonies from safety inspectors or eyewitnesses. It can be helpful to secure photographs of the elevator at the site of the accident before conditions change, if possible. Coordinate with your attorney to identify and seek additional pertinent evidence.