Despite the fact that they are not as common as other mechanized accidents, for instance motor vehicle accidents, elevator accidents do happens. Thousands of people get involved in elevator accidents that go unreported, as mostly, they are considered minor. However, such equipment as the escalator approximately kills more than twenty people annually and seriously injures thousands more.
According to the elevator accident investigation reports, there are numerous causes of elevator accidents. These are; becoming trapped between the elevator car and the side wall, accidental electrocution due to defective wiring in the elevator, falls from exposed elevator shafts, improper leveling that keeps the elevator lining up correctly with the floors, asphyxiation from being trapped inside the elevator car for a long time, and so forth.
Depending on the facts of the causes of the accidents as shown on the elevator accident investigation reports, there are varying parties that can potentially be at fault and be held liable in a court of law for injuries resulting from the accident. For instance, if the cause of the accident was due to poor maintenance, the owner or the elevator services company responsible for maintenance may be held liable. If it malfunctioned as a result of a products defect, then the elevator manufacturer should be held responsible.
