What to Do After an Elevator Accident in Chicago

In a vertical city like Chicago, elevators are part of everyday life. From high-rise apartments and office buildings to public transit hubs and construction sites, tens of thousands of elevators operate daily across the metro area. But when something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic. At John J. Malm & Associates, we represent victims injured due to unsafe conditions, including elevator accidents caused by poor maintenance, defective parts, or inadequate oversight. This blog explores the risks associated with elevator use in Chicago, highlights real-world incidents and statistics, and explains your rights if you or a loved one has been injured.

The Prevalence of Elevators in Chicago

Chicago is home to over 22,000 elevators, including passenger, freight, and construction hoists. These systems are managed by the city’s Department of Buildings, which is responsible for ensuring that all elevators undergo annual inspections. Despite regulations, many of these elevators are aging, inadequately maintained, or subject to inspection backlogs—especially in older housing developments and high-rises.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Consumer Product Safety Commission, elevator and escalator accidents cause about 30 deaths and 17,000 injuries in the U.S. each year. Approximately 90% of the deaths are related to elevators. Workers performing maintenance, repairs, or construction account for the majority of fatalities. In passenger settings, around 11,000 injuries per year are linked to elevator mishaps. Chicago, as one of the largest cities in the country, reflects these national trends.

Common Causes of Chicago Elevator Accidents

Elevator accidents often result from mechanical failure, human error, or a combination of both. Common causes include:

Falls into open shafts: These incidents are especially dangerous and often occur on construction sites or in buildings undergoing maintenance. Workers may fall if protective barriers or safety protocols are missing.

Sudden drops or uncontrolled descents: Malfunctioning brakes, snapped cables, or power failures can cause elevators to plummet suddenly, often resulting in serious trauma or death.

Mis-leveling and trip hazards: When an elevator does not align properly with the floor, passengers can trip and fall while entering or exiting.

Entrapment or crushing injuries: Malfunctioning doors or poor safety sensors can result in people getting caught between the elevator doors or between the car and the shaft wall.

Electrical and mechanical failures: Elevators require routine maintenance and inspections. When these are skipped, worn-out cables, sensors, or control systems can fail catastrophically.

Aging Infrastructure and Inspection Failures

Many elevator-related accidents stem from aging infrastructure and inconsistent inspections. A 2021 investigative report on the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) revealed that numerous elevators had not been modernized in decades. Residents in CHA buildings reported being trapped in malfunctioning elevators for hours, sometimes multiple times per week. Some elevators were missing annual inspection tags, and others had inspection records that were years out of date.

Unfortunately, Chicago has only a small team of full-time elevator inspectors assigned to monitor thousands of units across the city. With such limited resources, inspections are often delayed, rushed, or missed entirely. This creates dangerous conditions for tenants, workers, and building visitors alike.

Who Is Liable for a Chicago Elevator Accident?

Liability for an elevator accident can fall on multiple parties, depending on the circumstances of the incident:

• Property owners and managers have a legal obligation to maintain elevators in safe working condition and to comply with all local safety codes.
• Elevator maintenance companies may be responsible if they fail to properly service or inspect the machinery, or if they miss signs of wear or malfunction.
• Manufacturers may be held liable under product liability laws if a defective part—such as a faulty door sensor or snapped cable—contributed to the injury.
• Construction contractors must follow OSHA regulations, including providing fall protection and proper shaft barriers during installation or repair.
• In rare cases, municipal liability may arise if city inspectors fail to report or act on known safety violations.

Determining liability in these cases often requires expert testimony from engineers or elevator safety specialists, as well as a detailed review of maintenance records, inspection reports, and surveillance footage.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in an Elevator Accident

If you’ve been hurt in an elevator accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, acting quickly and strategically is essential to preserve your rights.

1. Seek Medical Attention

Your health is the first priority. Even if your injuries appear minor, get checked out by a doctor right away. Internal injuries, head trauma, and spinal issues may not present symptoms immediately.

2. Document the Incident

Take photos of the elevator, including any defects, warning signs (or lack thereof), and your injuries. Write down everything you remember about the accident, including the time, location, witnesses, and whether emergency services responded.

3. Report the Accident

Notify the building management or property owner and insist on a written incident report. If you’re a worker, report the accident to your employer immediately and file a workers’ compensation claim.

4. Preserve Evidence

If possible, request maintenance records or ask whether the elevator had a valid inspection certificate at the time. Avoid signing any release forms from the property owner or insurer without consulting an attorney.

5. Contact an Experienced Chicago Premises Liability Attorney

Elevator injury claims are often complex. At John J. Malm & Associates, our Chicago premises liability lawyers know how to investigate elevator accidents, determine liability, and build strong cases for compensation. We handle everything from negotiating with insurance companies to filing a lawsuit when needed.

Types of Compensation Available After an Elevator Accident

Victims of elevator accidents may be able to recover:

• Medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Funeral and burial expenses in fatal accidents
• Punitive damages, in cases of gross negligence

If the accident occurred at work, additional workers’ compensation benefits may apply, including wage replacement and vocational rehabilitation.

Contact the Award-Winning Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator accident in Chicago, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of recovering full compensation and preserving crucial evidence.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our experienced Chicago injury lawyers are here to guide you through every step of the legal process. We’ll investigate the accident, identify who’s at fault, and fight for the justice you deserve.

Call us today at (630) 527-4177 or visit www.malmlegal.com to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.