Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on February 18th, 2021, 25-year-old Joseph Rosa was performing modernization work on an elevator in a Bronx building when the elevator suddenly fell, crushing him. First responders pulled Rosa from the elevator shaft and rushed him to Bronx Lebanon Hospital but, sadly, he died from his injuries.
This horrifying accident happened at an apartment building on East Clarke Place in the Mount Eden neighborhood of the Bronx. Reports state that Rosa, who was a mechanic’s apprentice still learning the trade, was helping repair an elevator that building residents say had been out of service for months.
Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time. Rosa recently married 25-year-old Karina Stepanova-Rosa in September and was just beginning his career as a mechanic before this heartbreaking accident. Rosa was loved by many; his wife told reporters “He was a real big light in all of our lives. He is the most amazing person I ever met, and his friends, everyone is just shattered by this.”
Many work-related elevator injuries and deaths are caused by failure to de-energize the elevator’s electrical circuits or failure to make sure elevator parts cannot move while maintenance work is being done. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces a lockout/tagout standard that “covers the servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or start up of the machines or equipment…could harm employees.” The lockout/tagout standard is mandatory for safety when working on elevators. Those working on the elevator should receive the necessary training to make sure they are safe while on the job.
Supervisors or firemen at a reputable elevator maintenance and repair company are responsible for making sure all workers are properly trained for the job and for the overall safety of the job site. If safety laws and regulations are not being followed and an accident occurs as a result, those in charge can be held liable.
Another common fact pattern involves an elevator not receiving the appropriate maintenance. Â Sometimes necessary repairs are either not done or the repair work is sub-standard. Â These failures can often lead to catastrophic consequences.
Those injured in an elevator accident may have a legal right to receive compensation for their injuries and other damages. Â Usually the building owner and an elevator repair and maintenance company are legally responsible for the accident.
Very few elevator accidents can be described as minor.  Instead, elevator accidents can have life-altering consequences for those involved. Injury victims may wish to consult a lawyer with experience in handling elevator accidents to discuss their options moving forward. A skilled lawyer will be able to guide clients through the legal process and help them receive a fair amount of compensation for their injuries.
The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy understand the devastating impact an accident can have. They are dedicated to helping each and every one of their clients receive just compensation to help them move forward from their accident.
Notable results for clients injured in elevator accidents include:
- $7,200,000 wrongful death settlement for the surviving family of a man who suffered fatal injuries after falling into an elevator shaft in Brooklyn
- $7,000,000 settlement for a worker who was injured when he fell 30 feet down an elevator shaft of a Manhattan building
- $5,500,000 settlement for a truck driver who suffered severe injuries when he was struck by the metal gate of a freight elevator
Call 212-736-5300 or fill out our online contact form to receive a free, no-obligation consultation from one of our experienced lawyers.