Elevator Accident Lawyer
ELEVATOR ACCIDENT LAWYER BROOKLN, NY
Your safety should never be in question every time you step into an elevator. When building owners, property managers, or maintenance companies neglect their duty to keep elevators properly inspected and maintained, the results can be devastating. Sudden drops, door malfunctions, and misleveled cars can cause serious injuries in a matter of seconds, and the parties responsible will rarely admit fault on their own.
Our Brooklyn attorneys have been fighting for injured New Yorkers since 2008. We know how to investigate elevator accidents, identify every liable party, and build the kind of case that forces building owners and insurance companies to pay what you are owed. You pay nothing unless we win.
$45M+
RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
2008
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN
$0
FEE UNLESS WE WIN
After the Accident
What to Do After an Elevator Accident in Brooklyn
The steps you take immediately after an elevator accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel you can walk away, see a doctor the same day. Spinal injuries, joint damage, and internal trauma are not always obvious immediately after an elevator accident. A prompt medical evaluation creates essential documentation for your case.
Report the Incident to Building Management
Notify the building superintendent, property manager, or owner before you leave. Request that a written incident report be filed and keep a copy for your records. Note the names of everyone you speak with.
Document Everything
Photograph the elevator interior, the doors, the floor gap, any posted inspection certificates, and your visible injuries. Note the elevator number, the floor where the incident occurred, and the time and date.
Do Not Use the Elevator Again
The defective elevator should be treated as a crime scene. Do not allow building staff to put it back in service before it has been inspected and documented by an independent investigator.
Contact an Attorney Immediately
Building owners and insurance companies move quickly to conduct their own investigations and control the narrative. Having an attorney involved early ensures evidence is preserved and your rights are protected from the start.
Common Causes
Common Causes of Elevator Accidents in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is home to thousands of residential buildings, commercial towers, and mixed-use properties with elevators that require regular inspection and maintenance. When that maintenance is ignored, accidents happen.
Sudden Drops and Free Falls
Mechanical failures in the cable or braking system can cause an elevator to drop unexpectedly, resulting in severe spinal, joint, and head injuries to passengers inside.
Misleveling
When an elevator stops above or below the floor level, passengers trip stepping in or out, causing falls that result in fractures, knee injuries, and head trauma.
Door Malfunctions
Doors that close too quickly, fail to reopen when obstructed, or open between floors can trap, crush, or cause passengers to fall into elevator shafts.
Sudden Jerking and Rough Rides
Worn cables, faulty motors, and poor maintenance cause abrupt lurching movements that throw passengers off balance, leading to falls and soft tissue injuries.
Entrapment
Being trapped in a stalled elevator for an extended period, particularly in extreme heat or with limited air, can cause serious physical and psychological harm.
Failure to Inspect and Maintain
New York law requires elevators to be inspected and certified annually. Building owners who ignore these requirements create conditions that put every passenger at risk.
Defective Equipment and Parts
Manufacturers of faulty elevator components can be held liable when a defective part contributes to a malfunction that injures a passenger.
Injuries We Handle
Elevator Accident Injuries We Represent
Elevator accidents can produce a wide range of injuries depending on the nature of the malfunction. Our attorneys represent victims across the full spectrum of elevator-related harm.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
- Broken Bones & Fractures
- Knee, Hip, and Ankle Injuries
- Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Damage
- Soft Tissue and Ligament Injuries
- Crush Injuries from Door Malfunctions
- Lacerations and Scarring
- Nerve Damage and Chronic Pain
- Psychological Trauma and PTSD
- Wrongful Death of a Family Member
Your Recovery
What Compensation Can You Recover
Elevator accident claims in New York may involve multiple liable parties including building owners, property management companies, elevator maintenance contractors, and equipment manufacturers. New York’s strict liability laws for property owners and Labor Law provisions for workers injured in elevator shafts provide powerful grounds for recovery.
- All past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and ongoing care costs
- Out-of-pocket injury-related expenses
- Future costs related to permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for your family
Why Cherny & Podolsky
Brooklyn's Trusted Elevator Accident Law Firm Since 2008
We Identify Every Liable Party
Elevator accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties including building owners, management companies, maintenance contractors, and equipment manufacturers. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to pursue every available source of compensation on your behalf.
Over $45 Million Recovered
Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for injured clients throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York area.
Locally Rooted in Brooklyn
We are a Brooklyn law firm at 2681 East 14th Street, not a national referral service. We know the local courts, the building codes, and the inspection requirements that govern elevator safety in New York City.
Multilingual Legal Team
Our staff serves clients in English, Russian, Spanish, and more. Every client deserves to fully understand their rights and their options, and we make sure they do.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all elevator accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
Direct Attorney Access
You will work directly with your attorney from your first call to your final settlement. No paralegals, no case managers, no runaround.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for an elevator accident in New York?
Liability in elevator accident cases can fall on multiple parties. Building owners have a duty to maintain safe elevators and ensure annual inspections are completed. Property management companies responsible for day-to-day maintenance may also be liable. Elevator service and maintenance contractors who performed defective repairs can be held accountable, and manufacturers of faulty components may face product liability claims. Our attorneys will investigate your accident thoroughly to identify every party responsible.
How long do I have to file an elevator accident lawsuit in New York?
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the accident. However, if the elevator was located in a government-owned building or the responsible party is a public entity, you may have as little as 90 days to file a Notice of Claim. Acting quickly is essential. Contact us as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to recover.
What if the building owner says the elevator was recently inspected?
Inspection certificates do not protect building owners from liability if the elevator was in fact defective or poorly maintained at the time of your accident. Our attorneys work with engineering experts and independent investigators to evaluate the condition of the elevator, review maintenance records, and determine whether the inspection was properly conducted. A certificate on the wall does not end your case.
Can I file a claim if I was injured stepping in or out of an elevator?
Yes. Misleveling, which occurs when an elevator stops above or below the floor level, is one of the most common causes of elevator-related trips and falls. Building owners have a duty to ensure their elevators stop level with the floor. If a misleveled elevator caused you to trip and fall, you may have a strong premises liability claim against the property owner or manager.
What if I was a worker injured in an elevator shaft?
Workers injured in elevator shafts or while performing work on or near elevators may have claims under New York Labor Law §240 and §241, which impose strict liability on property owners and general contractors for gravity-related injuries. These powerful statutes often allow injured workers to recover significantly more than a standard personal injury claim. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling Labor Law elevator shaft cases.
How much is my elevator accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost income, the degree of permanent impact on your life, and the number of parties who may share liability. Elevator accident cases involving serious injuries and multiple liable defendants can result in significant recoveries. We offer free consultations to give you a thorough and honest evaluation of your specific situation.
Injured in a Brooklyn Elevator Accident?
Do not wait. Building owners and insurance companies begin protecting themselves immediately after an accident is reported. Evidence gets removed, maintenance records disappear, and elevators get repaired before anyone documents the defect. The sooner our team gets involved, the stronger your case will be.
Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your accident, answer every question you have, and walk you through your options with no pressure and no upfront cost.
