In most big cities, elevators are essential to navigating the large buildings in which people work and live. In New York, elevators are subject to inspection (as they are throughout the United States). Every one of the 59,000 elevators in New York City, including several thousand in Brooklyn, has to be checked out by state-certified inspectors.
Elevators are an eternal symbol of New York City. In 1857, the first passenger elevator was installed in the Haughwout Building on Broadway between 48th and 49th Street. Today, in this area filled with block after block of skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, any building over four floors is required by law to have an elevator system. In total, there are more than 59,000 elevators in the city of New York.
In the state of New York, this procedure must be performed every five years. During this process, elevators must pass strict guidelines for operation and safety. Each elevator must display a certificate of inspection to prove that it is safe to use and in good working condition. When these procedures are not adhered to properly, an elevator user must be wary of dangerous conditions that could lead to a life-threatening accident.
The chance of being in an elevator accident is very rare and when it does occur the injuries can be sever and the cause can often be negligence. If you or a loved one has been in an accident contact a personal injury attorney immediately, even if the company offers you a large dollar amount it probably is way less that you will need to cover medical and future bills.