In the United States, more than 30 victims die, and 17,000 injuries occur every year in elevator accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you were one of those injured, please read on, then contact an experienced Chesterfield County premises liability lawyer to discuss what you should know about elevator accidents in South Carolina.
What you should know about elevator accidents in South Carolina
Multi-story buildings are a near-ubiquitous feature of the American landscape and South Carolina is no exception. They come in many forms: office buildings, hospitals, condos, malls, airports, dorms, parking garages and more. Tall buildings necessitate the presence of elevators for those who want to or need to avoid stairs. But they present a hazard to unwary riders. If you’ve sustained injuries in an elevator accident, you can hold the property owners liable for injuries or deaths occurring on their premises, which result from negligent maintenance. In case of design or production defects, you can hold manufacturers liable. And lastly, you can hold installers and inspectors accountable for improper or inadequate procedures.
What are the most common causes of injuries in elevator accidents in South Carolina?
Many elevator accidents are entirely preventable if proper precautions are taken. The most common causes for elevator accidents are as follows:
- Misleveling (when an elevator fails to stop at the floor’s level)
- Excessive speed
- Lack of proper maintenance and safety inspections
- Defective doors
- Falls into elevator shafts
- Faulty wiring
- Dangerous design
What do you need to prove in your premises liability claim in South Carolina?
In order to win your premises liability case in South Carolina, you will need to prove that 1) the defendant owed you a duty of care, 2) they breached that duty of care, 3) the defendant’s breach caused your accident, and 4) you endured damages as a result of this accident. As documentation, you will need relevant medical records, visual evidence and witness statements. All of this requires time and expertise you may not possess. And keep in mind that in South Carolina, the statute of limitations to file a premises liability claim is three years from the date of the accident. Don’t go it alone, reach out to a skilled Chesterfield County personal injury lawyer to learn more about this process and how we can help you.
CONTACT A CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
No one should have to endure a serious injury at the hands of a negligent party on their own. If you’ve been hurt due to no fault of your own, we are here to fight for the justice you deserve. Time is of the essence, and we are ready to get the ball rolling at once. Contact the Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation with our legal team.
