Daily use of elevators and escalators is commonplace. Within the City of Chicago there are approximately 22,000 elevators and moving conveyances. Their operation is governed by a strict regulatory regime that includes inspections. Unfortunately, however, this does not prevent needless injuries or deaths from happening due to negligence, design defects, improper maintenance or malfunction.

Lawsuits filed in response to injuries from an accident in an elevator or escalator are premises liability claims. In these cases, a number of parties can be found liable, depending on the circumstances, including the property owner, the property manager, the elevator/escalator manufacturer and the elevator/escalator maintenance company. Elevator and escalator accidents can result from many different problems, including:

• Improper elevator/escalator design, design defect
• Failure to maintain, inspect elevator/escalator
• Failure to warn that elevator/escalator was not working properly
• Failure to maintain, inspect component parts of elevator/escalator
• Failure to follow building codes
• Failure to follow elevator/escalator laws and regulations
• Overcapacity

Elevator and Escalator Injury Cases are Complex and Require an Experienced Elevator Accident Lawyer

As a result of litigating past elevator and escalator injury lawsuits, Clifford Law Offices has extensive experience working with these claims. Because of the complexity of elevators and escalators, isolating the cause of an accident can be difficult. For these cases, experts assist in the investigations. Our elevator injury lawyers and escalator injury lawyers investigate all aspects of an injury and are prepared to involve nationally recognized experts in the field to determine that cause of the accident that ultimately helps to reveal the identity of the negligent party. Experts can range from individuals who consult on questions of maintenance to engineers that deal with design or even metallurgists who can give an opinion as to the cause of a component’s failure. This strategy requires experienced and knowledgeable elevator/escalator injury lawyers that have the resources to pursue just outcomes for their clients. The elevator/escalator injury lawyers of Clifford Law Offices have the knowledge, experience and resources to represent you in your pursuit of justice.

Clifford Law Offices, Experienced Chicago Elevator and Escalator Injury Attorneys

Richard F. Burke, Jr. - $1,175,000 Settlement: Maintenance man killed when he falls through a faulty high-rise building elevator shaft

Brian S. Shallcross - $460,000 Settlement: 56-year old flight attendant suffers career-ending disk herniation injury when elevator car at O'Hare Airport malfunctions, causing her to fall on her back

Brian S. Shallcross - $166,500 Settlement: 50-year-old woman tears rotator cuff when elevator malfunctions at retail outfit causing her to fall.