Joliet Elevator Accident Turns Fatal for Young Employee

Elevators are convenient for workers; however, when accidents occur involving these conveyances, it can result in serious or fatal injuries. Each year, elevators in Chicago and across the U.S. make about 18 billion trips. While standards are in place to ensure their safety, accidents involving elevators can, and do, occur.

Joliet elevator in an apartment building that could lead to an accident. Fatal Elevator accident

If you were injured in an elevator accident at work in Chicago, call our attorneys at Ankin Law to discuss your right to benefits. 312-600-0000.

Common Causes of Elevator Accidents

Numerous causes may contribute to elevator accidents involving employees. Several factors may have played a role in the recent death of a worker in Joliet, Illinois. The 23-year-old was killed recently after falling down an elevator shaft while carrying cabinets. 

Common causes of elevator accidents include:

Mis-Leveling

Mis-leveling occurs when the elevator car does not stop flush with the floor, creating a tripping hazard. Such hazards can be particularly dangerous for workers who are carrying objects, or those with mobility limitations. 

Defective Doors

Malfunctioning doors can close too quickly, trap people between the closing doors, or reopen unexpectedly, causing falls. Such defects may occur due to issues with the door’s sensors, opening and closing mechanisms, or the safety interlocks that prevent the elevator from moving while the doors are open.

Speeding

Problems with the elevator’s governor, which regulates speed, or the counterweight system that balances the elevator car can cause uncontrolled movement. Passengers inside the elevator when such movement occurs may be thrown around, leading to injuries.

Falls into Shafts

Falls into shafts, the most severe category of elevator accidents, may result from maintenance, faulty door interlocks, or improper passenger behavior. Faulty interlocks can allow the doors to open even when the elevator car isn’t at a floor, creating a gap into the elevator shaft.  In rare cases, attempting to enter or exit an elevator that isn’t properly stopped, or engaging in risky behavior like elevator surfing (riding on top of the elevator car), can also lead to falls.

In the case of the Joliet worker, the fall seems to have been accidental. According to reports, the young man got trapped between the elevator floor and the building’s second-floor ceiling while trying to escape from the elevator. It reportedly began ascending to a higher floor with the doors open.

Component Malfunctions

Breakdowns in various elevator parts, like cables or pulleys, can result in sudden stops or uncontrolled movement. Worn-out cables can snap, causing the elevator car to plummet. Malfunctioning pulleys or brakes can lead to sudden stops or jerky movements, increasing the risk of passenger injuries.  Regular inspections and maintenance can help reduce the likelihood of these component failures.

Types of Injuries From Elevator Accidents

Each year, such accidents are responsible for approximately 10,000 injuries, and 27 deaths. Depending on the type and severity of the incident, elevator accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor to catastrophic or fatal. Some of the most common injuries from elevator accidents include:

Crush Injuries

Crush injuries are a common concern in elevator accidents. Crushed fingers, hands, or even limbs can occur due to sudden movements or improper safety protocols.

Falls

As seems to have been the case in the accidental death of the Joliet worker, falls can happen due to slippery surfaces, missing safety equipment, or malfunctioning elevator components. Workers may also suffer slip-and-fall injuries if the elevator car doesn’t level properly with the floor.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

In severe accidents, falls from heights or getting crushed by elevator parts can cause spinal cord injuries with life-altering consequences.

Head Injuries

Workers struck by falling objects like tools or elevator parts, or those who hit their heads during a fall, can sustain head injuries ranging from concussions to serious traumas.

Are There Elevator Safety Regulations in Illinois?

Illinois has implemented safety regulations, and adopted federal standards, to help minimize elevator accidents and ensure the safety of those who use these conveyances. State law mandates specifications for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of elevators, as well as the enforcement of adherence to these codes.

Workers’ Compensation for Elevator Accidents

Workers injured in elevator accidents in Illinois are often eligible for workers’ compensation benefits through the state-mandated insurance program. Understanding this program and how it may apply to their situation can help workers receive the aid they need and deserve after a serious accident.

Eligibility

With few exceptions, those who suffer injuries while on the job site or performing their job duties are eligible for workers’ compensation. You may receive such benefits, regardless of who caused the accident.

Benefits

Those who suffer on-the-job injuries may receive benefits, including:

Medical Expenses 

Workers’ compensation coverage typically includes all necessary medical costs associated with an on-the-job injury. For example, such coverage extends to the costs of related doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, medication, and physical therapy.

Lost Wages

Some injuries prevent employees from working while they recover. Through workers’ compensation benefits, they may be entitled to a portion of their regular wages.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Some elevator accident injuries leave workers permanently disabled and unable to return to their previous jobs. In such cases, workers’ compensation may help with retraining for a new career.

Death Benefits

In the tragic event that a worker dies due to an elevator accident, such as the young man in Joliet, his or her surviving family members may be entitled to financial assistance. Such benefits are available to spouses, children, and certain other dependents who were financially reliant on the deceased worker. Surviving family members may receive up to 66% of the worker’s average weekly wage in the year prior to his or her death. It was not reported whether the Joliet worker had surviving family.

Steps to Take After an Elevator Accident at Work

Getting into an elevator accident at work can be frightening, confusing, and stressful. Knowing what steps to take in the aftermath of such an incident can help injured workers protect themselves and their rights.

Seek Medical Attention

The top priority after an elevator accident at work should be the injured worker’s health. Therefore, those who experience such incidents should get immediate medical attention, regardless of the severity of their injuries. Taking this step ensures they identify and treat injuries, as well as creates a clear record of the injuries and links them to the accident.

Report the Accident

When workers are injured in elevator accidents, they should report the incident to their employers as soon as possible. Employees injured at work do not need a workers’ compensation lawyer, however, consulting with an experienced legal representative can help ensure they follow the appropriate procedures to receive the benefits they need.

Filing a Claim

As it will likely be their primary source of financial recovery for a work-related injury, employees should file claims with the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission as soon as possible after their accidents. Filing a claim can help expedite recovering benefits.

Gather Evidence

If possible, injured workers should take pictures of the accident scene, the elevator involved, and any visible injuries. They should note down the names and contact information of any witnesses. It is also advisable that they keep copies of all medical records and bills related to their injuries.

Consider Legal Representation

While injured employees can navigate the workers’ compensation process independently, consulting with a slip-and-fall lawyer experienced in workers’ compensation can be beneficial. They can ensure workers’ rights are protected, maximize their benefits, and handle disputes with employers’ insurance companies.

Lawsuit Against Third Parties

Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system. As such, injured workers can receive benefits regardless of fault for the accident. Additionally, they might have grounds for a lawsuit against a third party if their negligence contributed to the accident and resulting injuries. Third parties who may bear liability include:

Building Owner/Property Manager

If the accident resulted from improper elevator maintenance by the building owner or property manager, injured workers might have a case against them.

Elevator Maintenance Company

If the elevator malfunction was due to negligence by the company responsible for maintenance, a worker injured on-the-job could sue them.

Elevator Parts Manufacturer

In rare cases, a faulty elevator component from the manufacturer might be the cause of the accident, leading to a product liability lawsuit.

An attorney experienced in workplace injuries can analyze the specific details of an injured worker’s case, and advise whether a lawsuit against a third party is a viable option and who to sue after an elevator accident. Workplace elevator accidents in Chicago can have life-changing effects on workers, as well as their families. If you were injured in an occupational accident involving an elevator, contact us today to discuss your right to benefits, and options for pursuing further compensation.

Chicago personal injury and workers’ compensation attorney Howard Ankin has a passion for justice and a relentless commitment to defending injured victims throughout the Chicagoland area. With decades of experience achieving justice on behalf of the people of Chicago, Howard has earned a reputation as a proven leader in and out of the courtroom. Respected by peers and clients alike, Howard’s multifaceted approach to the law and empathetic nature have secured him a spot as an influential figure in the Illinois legal system.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
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