Elevator injury lawsuits have been filed against Otis Elevator, Waupaca, ThyssenKrupp and other elevator companies after people were seriously injured or crushed to death.
Need a Texas Elevator Injury Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured or died in an elevator accident in Texas, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Custom Elevator Recall After 1 Death Reported
In September 2022, Custom Elevators recalled around 15,200 residential elevators that were made since 2003.
In July 2021, a 7-year-old boy was crushed to death by an elevator that was made by Custom Elevator. The incident occurred at a vacation rental in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Cambridge Elevating Recalls 1,700 Home Elevators
In September 2022, Cambridge Elevating recalled about 1,700 residential elevators that were sold in the U.S. from 1991 through August 2022. The models are Elmira and Heritage. No incidents or injuries were reported.
31,000 Home Elevators Recalled After Child Suffers Spinal Injury
In August 2022, Residential Elevators Inc. issued a recall for about 31,000 home elevators that can crush children in the gap between the doors and cause serious injuries or death.
The recall was issued after a child was crushed and suffered a serious spinal injury. The recalled models include Easy Rider, Horizon Lift, Luxury Lift, Luxury Lift Hydraulic, Luxury Lift Traction and RE, which were sold nationwide from 1986 through July 2022.
69,000 Home Elevators Recalled for Deadly Risk to Kids
In January 2022, around 69,000 home elevators were recalled by 3 manufacturers due to a deadly risk to kids.
The problem is that children can get trapped between the elevator cab’s inner accordion-style door, and the outer door that looks like a normal door in the house. If the elevator moves to another floor, the trapped child can be crushed by the elevator cab and suffer horrific injuries or death.
The recalls were announced by 3 manufacturers — Bella Elevator, Inclinator Company of America, and Savaria Corporation — who will provide consumers with a free space guard, which is an inexpensive safety feature that fills the gap between the doors and prevents children from becoming trapped.
The recalled elevators include:
- Bella home elevators: Sold from 2009 to 2021. The models include Symmetry IGD, Hydraulic, and Winding Drum Elevators.
- Inclinator home elevators: Sold from January 1979 to December 2021. The models include Winding Drum (450 – 1,000 lb.), Hydraulic Drive, Chain Drive, Traction Drive and Overhead Cable Drum.
- Savaria and Garaventa home elevators: Sold from 1999 through 2021. The models include Eclipse, Infinity, Kwiklift, MR and HR.
Why Are Home Elevators So Dangerous for Children?
Thousands of elevators have been installed in homes with a 5-inch gap between the elevator’s inner foldable door and the home’s exterior door, which is just wide enough for a child to fit inside. If the elevator moves, the child can easily be crushed to death by the elevator cab.
Waupaca Elevator Injury Lawsuits
In May 2021, two lawsuits were filed against Waupaca Elevator Company after people were seriously injured when the elevator suddenly fell to the bottom of the shaft.
Safety Officials File Lawsuit Against ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company
In July 2021, only days before a 7-year-old boy died in a horrific elevator accident in North Carolina, a lawsuit was filed against ThyssenKrupp by safety officials who were demanding that the company fix home elevators to prevent serious injuries and deaths.
Lawsuit Demands Safety Devices in Home Elevators
The lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which asked ThyssenKrupp to install inexpensive safety-guard devices to fill the gap between the inner and outer doors, which will prevent children from becoming trapped, seriously injured, or crushed to death.
Otis Elevator Lawsuits Filed for Children Who Were Crushed to Death
In December 2020, Otis Elevator recalled around 5,000 home elevators because children can be crushed to death. At least 4 children suffered “a crushed spine and abdomen, fractured hip, broken arm and feet, and bruising to the face and chest,” when they got stuck between the doors of the elevator.
Otis Elevator Pays $3 Million Settlement After Child Dies
In 2003, Otis Elevator agreed to pay a $3 million settlement to the family of an 8 year-old boy who died when he got stuck between the doors of an elevator.
Waupaca Recalls 8,000 Elevators for Risk of Injury & Death
In October 2018, Waupaca recalled about 8,000 home elevators because they can drop to the bottom of the shaft. The recall involves Custom Lift 450# and 500# Capacity elevators that were sold from 1979 through 2008.
Waupaca Elevators Linked to 13 Serious Injuries, One Death
In October 2021, safety officials re-announced the recall and reported 1 death, 13 serious injuries (broken bones, strained or sprained knees and ankles), and at least 15 reports of the elevator cab falling to the bottom of the shaft.
Elevator Accident Lawsuits
Lawsuits involving elevator accidents commonly seek compensation for a person’s injuries (physical and emotional), medical expenses, lost income, long-term disabilities, or the tragic death of a loved one.
Should I File a Lawsuit?
Elevator manufacturers may be liable for injuries or deaths related to these common types of accidents:
- Mechanical failure
- Hit by elevator door
- Sudden stops or landings
- Crushed between doors or elevator cab
- Elevator falling to the bottom of the shaft
- Elevator hitting the top of the shaft
- Doors do not open
- Trapped inside an elevator
- Not leveling with floors
- Improper installation or maintenance
- And more
Need an Elevator Injury Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.