Elevator Falls 10 Floors in Kensington After Cable Snaps, Man Injured: Police

A 26-year-old man fell ten floors in an elevator at a worksite in the 2000 block of North 2nd Street in Kensington. According to Philadelphia police, a cable snapped. The accident happened on August 6, 2020, around 12:50 p.m.

The victim was taken to Temple University Hospital by medics. The victim’s condition was not known. 

Elevator Accidents and Personal Injury Claims

Elevator accidents are common. Individuals hurt in elevator accidents can sustain a variety of injuries. People in elevator accidents sustain serious injuries, including:

When an elevator causes an injury, the injured party may have a claim against the property owner under premises liability laws. Depending on the reason for the elevator accident, the manager of a building, contractors, or a service company might also share in the liability. If the elevator or elevator parts were defective, the manufacturer could be liable under product liability laws.

Determining the cause of the elevator accident is the first step in identifying the parties who might be liable for a victim’s damages. By identifying all parties that might have some liability for the cause of the accident, the victim increases the chance that he or she can recover full compensation for all damages. 

Common Causes of Elevator Accidents

There are many reasons why an elevator may malfunction and cause an injury. Some of the most common reasons for elevator accidents include:

  • Elevator installation errors and mistakes
  • Cutting corners when installing an elevator to save money
  • Inadequate elevator inspections
  • Failing to maintain the elevator
  • Elevators that suddenly stop or start
  • Broken, worn, and improperly maintained elevators
  • Elevators that stop slightly above or below the floor cause a tripping hazard (misleveling)
  • Failed safety devices and mechanisms
  • Malfunctioning or defective elevator doors
  • Electrical problems that can cause an elevator to freefall or get stuck between floors
  • Lack of safety precautions and immediate response to complaints

An elevator accident attorney conducts a comprehensive review of the claim to determine what legal remedies you may have to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. 

Elevator Accidents on Construction Sites

Industrial elevators and regular elevators are used at construction sites for workers to reach higher levels each day. They are also used to transport some materials and equipment to work locations. Unfortunately, the elevators are not always safe to use at construction sites.

Workers installing elevators can sustain injuries during the installation process. They can be caught in between parts or fall in the elevator shaft. Electrical injuries are also another risk of installing elevators. 

In addition to being injured riding or working on the elevator, workers may be injured or killed falling into unmarked or open elevator shafts. Elevator shafts that are not blocked off can pose a serious risk to workers and others at the construction site.

Any elevator accident at a construction site has the potential for causing traumatic injuries and death. Workers injured in construction site elevator accidents may receive benefits under workers’ compensation, and they may have a personal injury claim against one or more parties. 

Filing Injury Claims for Construction Site Accidents in Philadelphia 

Workers’ compensation insurance covers most employees in Pennsylvania. Workers injured on the job are entitled to benefits such as paid medical treatment, loss of income, and disability benefits. If an employee dies in a work-related accident, family members may be entitled to death benefits.

In most cases, workers cannot sue their employer for an injury covered by workers’ compensation. That is the “trade-off” for the system being a no-fault system. 

Workers do not have to prove that their employer was negligent to recover workers’ comp benefits. Even if the worker were partially at fault for the cause of the injury, he could receive benefits. Intentional injuries are not covered.

However, an employee may also have a claim against another party under Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws. If another party’s negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the cause of the construction site accident, the employee could file a personal injury lawsuit against that party.

Parties who might be liable for a construction site accident include, but are not limited to:

  • Property owners
  • Construction site management companies
  • Manufacturers or distributors of defective products
  • Architects and engineers
  • Other employees
  • General contractors and subcontractors

An employee could receive compensation for damages and losses that are not covered by workers’ compensation. For example, an employee could recover compensation for physical pain, loss of quality of life, mental anguish, and emotional distress by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

The deadlines for filing claims under workers’ compensation and personal injury laws vary. It is best to seek advice from a construction accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to pursue all valid injury claims.

Contact Our Premises Liability Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.