Elevator design may pose risk for children

On behalf of Aiken and Aiken P.C. Personal Injury Attorneys posted in Premises Liability, on Monday, December 23, 2013

A horrific elevator accident reminds us of the dangers of this particular convenience.  An elevator was constructed in a home for convenience of an elderly mother living upon the premises.  Unfortunately, a 3-year-old boy was able to open the door to the elevator.  However, the door then closed and trapped the young child against the inner door on the elevator.  The child was then dragged upward.  The car stopped a few feet and then returned to the floor and further pinned him by the chest and neck.  The child nearly suffocated as the result of the accident and now suffers from severe brain damage.  The child is now also a quadriplegic and unable to speak because of what occurred. This is not the only accident of this type that has occurred. This problem apparently has existed with swing-door type elevators for a significant period of time and appears to be largely preventable. It is also claimed that elevator companies have been aware of this danger for decades.It has been reported that seven children have lost their lives due to such accidents since 1995. There may have been as many as 34 children injured or killed due to similar accidents between 1983 and 1993.Premises liability and products liability lawsuits often arise when dangerous products are placed upon the market by manufacturers. Sometimes manufacturers fail to adequately warn concerning these products as well. In such circumstances, experienced attorneys are often required to hold large manufacturers responsible for their negligence.”They have a terrible history,” one Massachusetts’ expert stated concerning elevators. Industry standards have likely been relaxed concerning elevators, and the manufacturers are not doing enough to keep our children safe. Source: Fair Warning, “Elevator Safety Flaws Persist Despite History of Tragic Accidents,” Shawn Hubler, Dec. 18, 2013