Elevator Accidents Lawyer Manhattan

As an elevator accidents lawyer Manhattan relies on from Okun, Oddo & Babat, P.C. knows, most personal injury lawsuits never go to trial. It is more common for the two parties involved to settle out of court. However, once the court awards you damages for an elevator accident, you cannot just pocket them. You may have financial responsibilities that you will have to meet in the form of bills and fees.

Medical Bills

As your elevator accidents lawyer in Manhattan, New York may explain, part of your award for damages may have to go toward medical expenses incurred. Any time you receive medical treatment by a healthcare professional, he or she will have to receive payment for services rendered. If you were treated for injuries sustained in an accident, one of three scenarios may apply to your situation:

• You may have outstanding medical bills
• You may have already paid all or part of your bills out of your own pocket
• Your insurance provider may have paid for your medical treatment

In the first scenario, the expectation is that you will use your personal injury settlement to pay any medical bills that are still outstanding. In the second scenario, your settlement is intended to reimburse you for the medical costs you have already paid, so that you break even. In the third scenario, the insurance company may place a lien on your settlement award. This means that a portion of the settlement amount must go to the insurance company once you receive it for the bills it has paid on your behalf.

Attorney’s Fees and Expenses

A Manhattan elevator accidents lawyer from Okun, Oddo & Babat, P.C. may bill you on a contingency basis. This means that if you win your case, or you settle out of court, we take a percentage of the damages. However, if you do not recover any damages, you may not owe your attorney a fee. A typical fee is 33% of the damage amount, but this can vary depending on the circumstances and is negotiable.

For example, if you settle the case without going to trial, your Manhattan elevator accidents lawyer in NY may take a smaller percentage and incur legal expenses while preparing your case. However, once the case is over and you receive your award or settlement, you may be responsible for paying these legal expenses. These will often be in addition to your attorney’s fees.

You may think that you can save money by not hiring an elevator accidents lawyer in NY to represent you in your personal injury case. However, while a portion of the award goes toward attorney’s fees, plaintiffs typically recover more in damages when they hire legal representation.

Speak with Our Team! 

Many people use elevators every single day. They may need them to get to work, when they visit a store, or to get home to their apartment. Whatever your reason for using one, you may not even think of it as an opportunity for danger. For others, though, riding in an elevator may be a serious phobia. If you have recently been in an elevator accident and would like to receive compensation for the injuries you have sustained, contact a member of our team today. We understand that you should be able to rely on using utilities like this. To see what we can do to help, call our office now. 

How do elevator accidents happen?

There are many ways that a person can become injured from using an elevator. 

• Speeding. Many people have never heard of this but it can be quite terrifying while it is happening. If an elevator reaches a speed that is greater than the recommended speed, it can cause injuries to people inside. This happens when it comes to an abrupt stop. Passengers in the elevator may hit the walls or the door or they may fall to the floor. 
• Misleveling. This happens when the elevator does not stop at the right spot when it reaches its destination. Instead of stopping at the proper opening, it stops somewhere between floors. When this occurs, people may trip or children can get stuck between the elevator and the shaft causing injuries or death. 
• Door Malfunction. If the doors are not working properly, they may end up closing when passengers are still getting on board the elevators. Additionally, the mechanism that triggers the door to re-open when it detects an obstacle may not work and a person may be unable to get out of the elevator in time. 

Who can be held responsible for my injuries?

This will depend on who we find liable for the accident. For example, if an elevator was deemed broken and a maintenance company was supposed to come out and fix it, then it is possible that this maintenance company will be held responsible for the injuries you sustained. On the other hand, the owner of the building may be responsible if they were notified that the elevator was not functioning properly and they never did anything to fix it. 

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you after an elevator accident, please give us a call now. One of our attorneys can advise you as to whether your case is worth pursuing and whether you should litigate or settle. Contact Okun, Oddo & Babat, P.C. today to schedule a consultation with an elevator accidents lawyer Manhattan, New York residents trust.