New York Elevator Accident Lawyers Chis Sallay and Anthony Gair settle a case for $1,725,000

Our Partners, Chris Sallay and Anthony Gair settled a New York County elevator accident case for $1,725,000 on behalf of a 64 year old woman. The plaintiff was a passenger in an elevator car traveling at 1000 feet per minute when it came to a sudden, abrupt stop causing her to sustain a severe fracture of her left ankle for which she has had multiple surgical procedures and which has left her with significant disability as a result.

Defendant Elevator Corporation was the sole entity responsible for the safe maintenance, service, operation and repair of the subject elevator. They had a resident elevator mechanic assigned to the subject building on a full–time basis whose duty it was to inspect service and maintain the elevators and their parts in a safe condition. Three days after the subject accident, the elevator was inspected by an elevator inspector with the local Building Department who concluded that the rope grip mechanism on the governor was defective and violations were issued. Defendant strongly maintained that they had no knowledge of the defective governor and that a problem with the power in the building caused the subject accident.

The plaintiff was extricated from the elevator by EMS and was taken via ambulance to a local emergency room. She was diagnosed with a trimalleolar fracture of the left ankle. Over the next year, she underwent 3 surgical procedures and months of physical therapy. Following extensive settlement negotiations with representatives of defendant elevator company, a settlement was reached in the amount of $1,725,000 on the eve of trial.