Most people step into an elevator without a second thought. When something goes wrong, like a sudden drop, a door that won’t stop closing, or a cab that stops a foot above the floor, the injuries can be serious and the legal situation more complicated than it first appears.
If you’ve been hurt in an elevator accident in Lemont, you may have a valid personal injury claim against one or more responsible parties. An elevator accident lawyer in Lemont can sort through the liability, gather the evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. has recovered over $100 million firm-wide for injured clients across Illinois. Our Lemont personal injury lawyers know how to build these cases from the ground up. Free consultations. No fee unless we win.
Illinois Law and Elevator Safety Standards
Under the Illinois Elevator Safety and Regulation Act, elevators must be regularly inspected and certified by the Illinois Department of Labor. Building owners are required to maintain valid certificates of inspection and to address any deficiencies identified during those inspections.
When an elevator owner or manager fails to meet these standards after skipping inspections, ignoring maintenance issues, or failing to act on known defects, they may be liable for any injuries that result. Illinois premises liability law holds property owners to a duty of reasonable care for anyone lawfully on their property. A failure to maintain a safe elevator is a direct breach of that duty.
Knowing which laws apply to your situation (and how to use them to build your claim) is exactly where a Lemont elevator accident lawyer adds value that’s difficult to replicate without legal experience.
How Elevator Accidents Happen
Elevator malfunctions rarely happen without warning. In most cases, there were signs, including unusual noises, jerky movements, and slow door responses, that went unaddressed. Common causes of elevator accidents include:
- Neglected maintenance: worn cables, failing brakes, and deteriorating mechanical components that weren’t serviced on schedule
- Misleveling: the cab stopping above or below the floor, creating a step that passengers don’t expect and can’t always see
- Door sensor failures: doors that close on passengers, fail to detect obstructions, or don’t reopen properly
- Hydraulic system failures: common in older hydraulic elevators, leading to slow descents or sudden drops
- Electrical and control system malfunctions: causing erratic movement, unexpected stops, or complete failures
- Defective components: manufacturing defects in cables, pulleys, brakes, or control panels that cause or contribute to accidents
Identifying the root cause of the malfunction is key to a strong claim. Our elevator accident attorney in Lemont works with engineering experts and reviews maintenance records, inspection logs, and manufacturer documentation to establish exactly what went wrong and who is responsible.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Elevator Accidents
The severity of elevator accident injuries depends on the type of malfunction and the circumstances of the accident. Some injuries are relatively minor; others are life-changing. Common injuries we see in these cases include:
Sudden drops and free falls can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken bones, particularly in the wrists, arms, and legs from bracing for impact. Misleveling accidents frequently result in ankle fractures, knee injuries, and hip fractures, especially in older passengers.
Door entrapment injuries range from lacerations and crush injuries to more serious nerve and soft tissue damage. Falls in and out of elevator cabs, caused by unexpected movement or misleveled floors, are among the most common causes of serious orthopedic injuries we handle.
Many of these injuries require surgery, extended rehabilitation, and ongoing medical management. The long-term cost of recovery needs to be fully accounted for before any settlement is reached. Our Lemont elevator accident lawyers work with your medical team to make sure the full picture is documented and reflected in your claim.
Damages Available in an Illinois Elevator Accident Case
If you’ve been injured in an elevator accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation for the full range of your losses.
Economic damages cover the financial impact of your injury. This includes current and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and any out-of-pocket costs tied to your recovery.
Non-economic damages address the personal toll. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of normal life, and disfigurement are all recoverable under Illinois law. These losses don’t come with a receipt, but they can be just as devastating.
Punitive damages are not available in every case. Where a responsible party knowingly disregarded safety obligations, such as ignoring failed inspections, skipping required maintenance, or concealing known defects, they may be pursued. This requires clear and convincing evidence of willful and wanton conduct.
Why Choose Charlie for Your Lemont Elevator Accident Case
Elevator accident cases involve layers of liability that most general personal injury firms aren’t equipped to handle efficiently. Multiple defendants, complex mechanical evidence, and insurance carriers who will fight hard to minimize their exposure; these cases require a lawyer who is prepared to go the distance.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we bring the kind of insider knowledge that makes a difference. Our founding partner spent years on the insurance side, and he knows how insurers build their defense, evaluate a claim, and lowball victims. Our team draws on that knowledge to build stronger cases and negotiate better outcomes.
We’re also a boutique firm, which means personal service, direct access to your legal team, and a lawyer who knows your case inside and out. We also work with medical providers who treat on a lien, so you can get care immediately without worrying about upfront costs.
Get Help From Our Elevator Accident Lawyer in Lemont
Don’t wait to get legal help. Inspection records get updated, maintenance logs disappear, and the window for preserving critical evidence closes fast after an elevator accident.
Contact Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, identify every party that may be responsible, and give you a clear picture of what your claim is worth. No pressure, no upfront costs—and if we take your case, you pay nothing unless we win.
