Boston Elevator Accident Lawyer

Accidents that take place in elevators or escalators can be physically devastating and emotionally traumatic. When elevators or escalators malfunction, occupants or workers can suffer life-changing injuries. Elevator and escalator disasters can cause catastrophic and fatal personal injuries to victims, including spinal cord fractures and traumatic limb amputations.

At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, our Boston elevator and escalator accident attorneys can help elevator and escalator accident victims or surviving loved ones in Boston fight for justice and financial compensation. If you have injuries from a Boston elevator or escalator accident, call (617)-391-9001 or fill out our contact form to request a free consultation.

Why Choose Our Boston Elevator and Escalator Accident Lawyers?

Whether you take an elevator to get to your apartment floor each day or use one while staying at a hotel on vacation, you should feel safe as you push the button to reach your destination. The same should be said for individuals using escalators to get to another level in a building. However, accidents can happen anywhere, and elevators and escalators are not excluded.

If you have been injured in an elevator or escalator accident in Boston, Massachusetts, you have the right to pursue legal action by filing a personal injury claim. To get help building a solid claim, our team of Boston elevator and escalator accident lawyers can help:

We have proven our capabilities. We provide award-winning representation as one of the state’s Most Powerful Attorneys, according to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
We have an all-star staff. We are proud to have a former trial judge of the year, Hon. Thomas T. Merrigan (Ret.), as a partner at our law firm.
We operate on a contingency fee basis. Our Boston elevator and escalator accident attorneys never charge upfront for their services. You will only pay us if we win your case.

Our lawyers are dedicated to protecting your rights as we help you pursue justice after an elevator accident leaves you with losses.

J. Tucker Merrigan, one of our co-managing partners, has been with Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers for over ten years. He has received awards for helping clients get the compensation they deserve, including being named in the 2023 Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice and more. Co-managing partner Peter M. Merrigan has these honors: 2018 Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers; 2018 Rising Star, Super Lawyers; 2019-2021 Massachusetts Super Lawyer; and more.

How Common Are Elevator and Escalator Accidents?

Most people do not believe elevator or escalator accidents will happen to them. These disasters may seem more common in movies than in real life. Unfortunately, elevator and escalator accidents occur more often than most people realize. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health states that elevator and escalator accidents seriously injure around 17,000 victims annually.

They take an average of 30 lives annually as well. The most commonly reported elevator accidents are falls down shafts, platform collapses, struck-by counterweights, and caught in or between equipment. Workers in the elevator and escalator industry are at an increased risk of injuries and fatalities. Statistics show workers account for about half of annual elevator deaths in the US.

Common Causes of Elevator and Escalator Accidents

After we accept an elevator or escalator accident claimant, our elevator and escalator accident lawyers in Boston at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers will immediately go to work on identifying the cause of the catastrophe. The cause of the accident will point to the identity of the defendant – the person who will receive the victim’s injury claim.

Common Causes of Elevator Accidents

We work with top-tier investigators, accident reconstructionists, and other experts to help injured victims determine what caused their elevator or escalator accidents. Some of the most common causes of elevator accidents in Boston are as follows:

Low-quality parts
Incorrect installation
Elevator misleveling (stopping between floors)
Lack of proper elevator maintenance
Skipped inspections
Unprofessional repairs
Ignored safety protocols
Overloaded or misused elevators
Defective parts or equipment
Proximity sensor failure
Sudden rise or fall of the elevator car

Workers and occupants can sustain catastrophic injuries when an elevator does not work as it should. Common injuries include paralysis, traumatic brain damage, broken bones, muscle strains, amputations, and death. If you or someone you love has serious injuries from any type of elevator accident, our attorneys may be able to help.

What Causes Escalator Accidents?

Property and business owners owe a duty of care to all individuals using escalators while on the premises. They can uphold this duty by inspecting, maintaining, and repairing any escalators in their buildings. Some of the most common causes of escalator accidents are as follows:

Missing or broken steps
Loose, unstable, or broken escalator handrails
Screws or other parts that are loose or missing
Defective or missing escalator teeth
Insufficient or lack of inspections, repairs, and general maintenance
Improper installation of the escalator or parts
Sudden stops or reversals in direction
Defective parts
Negligent design

If you are unsure what caused your escalator accident, one of our Boston attorneys can help by launching a full investigation into the specific details of your case.

What Legal Options Do I Have If I Am Injured From an Elevator or Escalator Accident?

As the victim of an elevator or escalator accident in Massachusetts, you may have the right to bring a civil claim against the party or parties that contributed to the disaster. The party that caused your accident could be the elevator or escalator manufacturing company, installation company, property owner, or maintenance crew. Once your lawyer identifies the appropriate defendant(s), they will help you file a claim for damages by Massachusetts’ deadline.

In general, you must bring your claim within three years of the accident for a valid suit. A civil claim could result in financial recovery for you and your family’s related losses. A compensatory award from a defendant could repay you for medical bills, past and future lost income, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of consortium, or wrongful death damages.

Damages in Elevator Accident Cases

If you are injured in an elevator or escalator accident in Boston, you may be eligible to collect damages for your losses. The damages you may be eligible to retain include the following:

Elevator Accident Damages

Victims of elevator accidents in Boston may be eligible to collect the following damages:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning potential
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death

If you are unsure what damages you may be eligible to collect, our team of knowledgeable attorneys can help by reviewing the details of your elevator accident claim. Our elevator accident attorneys also have the experience to help negotiate a fair settlement amount for your claim when going up against the aggressive tactics of insurance companies.

Escalator Accident Damages

Like elevator accident victims, you may be eligible to retain significant compensation for your losses following an escalator accident. You may be eligible to collect compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death. To understand what damages you may be eligible to collect, speak with one of our elevator and escalator accident lawyers in Boston today.

Contact a Boston Elevator and Escalator Accident Lawyer Today

At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we put our clients first 100% of the time. Your number one job is to recuperate. We will help you do so however we can, including connecting you to the right doctors in Boston.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys hope to help you and your family obtain fair compensation for an elevator or escalator accident, starting with an in-depth discussion about your specific case. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Boston elevator and escalator accident lawyers, give us a call at 617-391-9001 or fill out our contact form.

Our Boston personal injury law firm also provides: