Most elevator injuries happen when people slip, trip or fall getting on or off, or when an elevator door closes on a body part, which is the most common cause for children. Deaths are rare. If you were hurt in an elevator in Colorado, document where it happened and report it to the building right away.
We rely on elevators, and unless you’re claustrophobic, you probably step into them most of the time without even thinking about it. Or, if you are thinking about elevators, it’s wondering why it always takes so long for the doors to close. While we can’t explain that, we can give you a bit more insight into the safety of elevators. Knowing how common elevator-related injuries occur might help people have a safer ride.
Injuries to Adults 65 and Older (1990 to 2006)
In an analysis of data reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, researchers estimated that 44,880 elevator injuries occurred from 1990 to 2006 among U.S. adults aged 65 and older.
Slightly more than half of these injuries occurred because of a slip, trip, or fall. Most involved soft tissue, often to the upper extremities. While only 15 percent of these injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization, more than 40 percent of those involved a fracture of a hip. The researchers concluded that older Americans should use caution when entering and exiting elevators.
Injuries to Children (1990 to 2004)
With a similar analysis, researchers concluded that children sustained 29,030 elevator-related injuries from 1990 to 2004. Like the older Americans, children’s most frequent injury was soft-tissue damage, and the most frequent site of injury was the upper extremity of the body.
However, the cause of injury was different. For children, the most frequent cause of injury was an elevator door closing on a body part. Therefore, the researchers warned that it’s important to closely supervise children near elevators to reduce their risk of harm.
Do People Die in Elevators?
A study published in 2020 reviewed 48 elevator-related deaths from nine U.S. death investigation jurisdictions over about 30 years. It found that maintenance and construction workers, other employees, and people who take risks were the most at risk.
Therefore, elevator deaths are incredibly rare, and most are preventable. Take precautions during construction or maintenance; only trained professionals should work on elevators. Avoid risky behavior. And if passengers are stuck in an elevator, in most cases, it’s safer to wait for rescue to help them safely leave the car.
Evidence After an Elevator Injury
If you were seriously or permanently injured, gather what you can:
- The building’s name and address
- Which elevator it was, such as the car number or its location in the building
- The incident report you gave the building, or the name of the person you reported it to
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Photos of the elevator, the doors and your injuries
Maintenance and inspection records are usually held by the building owner or the elevator company. A lawyer can request them through the proper legal process.
Related Reading
- Ordinary vs. Gross Negligence in Colorado
- Colorado Governmental Immunity and Injury Lawsuits (for elevators in government buildings)
Talk to Greer Law Group About an Elevator Injury
If you or someone you love has been seriously or permanently injured due to an elevator incident or any other premises-related incident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Greer Law Group today at 303-331-6460 or complete our contact form to schedule a free, confidential initial consultation with a Denver personal injury lawyer.
