After an elevator accident last summer, a plaintiff has come forward and filed a new personal injury lawsuit against the Schindler Elevator Co.

This elevator accident lawsuit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York on March 15, 2018, by New York resident, plaintiff, Maria G.

Maria claims significant personal injuries were sustained by her as a direct result of Schindler Elevator Co. failing to repair and maintain a bank of elevators at a downtown building according to agreement. The purported elevator accident took place on July 13, 2017 at 660 Madison Ave. in Manhattan.

According to the elevator accident lawsuit, Maria attempted to enter an elevator car on the eighth floor but was caused to trip and fall because the car had stopped a foot above the threshold of the floor in question. Her right foot, she claims, came into contact with the 12 inches of unaligned elevator car base wherein she was then thrown forward, causing her injuries.

Maria S. says that she became disabled because of this event, which could have been prevented if the defendant had not become careless with their maintenance and repair schedule.

Because of the elevator accident, the plaintiff says, she sought extensive medical care and incurred expenses related to her treatment.

Maria believes Schindler Elevator was negligent by allowing said elevator car to operate in a compromised manner without needed attention. Because of this lack of maintenance or repair, the elevator was an ongoing hazard that posed danger not only to herself but also to anyone who chose to utilize it.

In the elevator accident lawsuit, neither the plaintiff nor her counsel mention whether there were posted warning signs regarding the elevator car and its functioning.

Maria is bringing two causes of action against Schindler Elevator Co. because they allegedly failed to regularly test and correct the defective elevator which led to her injuries.

She is seeking a judgment against the defendants and a compensatory award to be determined as appropriate through the evidence presented at trial. Additionally, she asks the costs of litigation to be a part of the consideration included with this award.

The Prevalence of Elevator Accidents

According to the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health, approximately 17,000 people are injured each year in accidents involving elevators. Additionally, at least 30 people are killed in such accidents.

Elevators can present serious hazards to the general public, particularly if they are not well-maintained, but the most serious injuries and deadly events generally happen to those that install and repair them. Nearly half of the annual death count is accounted for by falls into the shaft by elevator workers.

The Elevator Accident Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-01621 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York for Kings County.