On Aug. 22, a New York man was crushed to death by a faulty elevator in a luxury Manhattan high-rise building. The incident occurred in the Kips Bay section of the city.
According to authorities, the victim, age 30, apparently rode the elevator down to the first floor and started to exit when it suddenly plunged down toward the basement, pinning him between the roof of the elevator and the shaft wall. Emergency medical service personnel were called to the scene, but there was nothing they could do. They pronounced him dead at the scene. According to the medical examiner, he died of blunt force trauma to his neck and torso. His death was ruled an accident.
The Department of Buildings issued a statement saying that its inspectors had responded to the scene and were investigating the accident. The agency also said it is “determined” to uncover why the elevator malfunctioned and to figure out how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The victim’s father told a local TV station that he is devastated his son will never become a father or grow older. The building’s property owner has not yet made any public comments regarding his death.
Property owners are legally required to keep their buildings in safe working order. When someone is killed due to a dangerous property condition, such as a defective elevator, the victim’s family has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for their loss. An attorney familiar with premises liability claims could help the family prepare the lawsuit and push for the maximum settlement amount possible.
