Manchester Elevators and Escalators Are Failing: Is Yours Next?

You step into an elevator expecting a smooth, effortless ride. But what if, instead of gliding safely to your floor, the elevator jerks, stalls, or worse plummets? Scary thought, right? Unfortunately, it happens more often than you’d think. Whether you're staying at a Manchester hotel, shopping at the Mall of New Hampshire, or heading to work downtown, you expect elevators and escalators to be safe. When they fail, though, they can cause serious, life-changing injuries. That’s when a Manchester personal injury attorney can step in to help you fight for what you deserve.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve helped victims in Manchester hold negligent property owners, maintenance companies, and manufacturers accountable. You shouldn’t be stuck dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and pain because someone else didn’t do their job. 

Who’s at Fault When a Manchester Elevator Malfunctions?

Figuring out who’s responsible for an elevator accident isn’t always simple. Multiple parties could be to blame, depending on what went wrong. Here’s who might be held accountable:

• Property Owners – Whether it’s a shopping mall, office building, or apartment complex, owners are required to keep their elevators safe. New Hampshire’s Elevator Safety Act mandates regular maintenance, but too many owners cut corners, putting you at risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), elevator and escalator incidents cause about 17,000 serious injuries in the U.S. each year.
• Maintenance Companies – Elevators need routine inspections and repairs. If the maintenance crew skipped safety checks or used cheap, faulty parts, they could be liable. A 2019 study found that nearly 17% of elevator-related injuries happened because of poor maintenance. In some cases, companies have even been caught falsifying maintenance logs.
• Manufacturers – Some elevators have built-in defects that lead to accidents. Companies like Otis Elevator have recalled models in the past due to sudden drops and mechanical failures. In 2018, a nationwide recall was issued for over 30,000 residential elevators due to a risk of crushing injuries.
• Inspectors and Third-Party Contractors – OSHA regulations require proper safety inspections, but what if an inspector rushes through a check and misses a serious issue? A 2021 audit found that 10% of elevator malfunctions involved systems that had recently passed safety inspections. In one instance, an elevator in a Boston high-rise passed an inspection but failed days later, injuring multiple people.

Proving fault isn’t easy, especially when businesses try to shift the blame. That’s where having the right Manchester lawyer makes all the difference.

Can You Sue a Manchester Mall, Hotel, or Business for an Elevator Injury?

Yes, but you have to prove negligence. Property owners and businesses have a legal duty to keep elevators and escalators safe. If they ignore that duty and you get hurt, you can hold them accountable.

What Duty of Care Do Property Owners Have?

Manchester property owners have to make sure their elevators are safe to use. That means:

• Routine Maintenance – The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) safety codes recommend maintenance every six months for commercial elevators, but some property owners let years go by without servicing them. Skipping maintenance can lead to worn cables, malfunctioning brakes, and electrical failures.
• Timely Repairs – If an issue is flagged, it should be fixed immediately. In one Manchester hotel, a faulty door sensor went unrepaired for weeks, leaving a guest trapped inside. It should never have gotten that far. In another case, a broken elevator in an apartment building remained out of order for months, forcing residents, some elderly or disabled to use unsafe stairwells.
• Clear Warnings – When an elevator is out of service, proper signs should be posted. Too many businesses fail to provide warnings, leading people to unknowingly step into dangerous situations. In one case, a shopping mall in New York failed to warn visitors about an unstable escalator, resulting in multiple injuries when it suddenly sped up uncontrollably.

If a property owner ignores these responsibilities and you get hurt, you could have a strong case for compensation. A personal injury attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your claim.

The Evidence You Need to Prove an Elevator Was a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen

If you’re filing an elevator injury claim, you’ll need solid proof. Here’s what can help build your case:

• Maintenance Records – If an elevator hasn’t been serviced in years, that’s a clear sign of negligence. Nearly 15% of U.S. elevators operate with overdue maintenance. In some cases, maintenance records may reveal a history of ignored warnings and unresolved issues.
• Inspection Reports – If past inspections flagged safety issues and nothing was done, that strengthens your case. A New Hampshire safety review found that several elevators had repeat violations that were ignored. In some cases, reports show elevators had critical failures just weeks after passing an inspection.
• Security Footage – Video evidence can show exactly what went wrong. In a 2020 Manchester case, footage caught an elevator free-falling three floors, leading to multiple injuries. Video can also reveal whether property owners ignored previous warning signs.
• Witness Statements – Employees, other passengers, or bystanders can back up your claim. Someone may have even reported the issue before your accident happened. Witness testimony can also highlight whether previous complaints about malfunctions were ignored.
• Incident Reports – Many businesses document accidents internally. These reports can reveal if the property owner knew about the problem but didn’t act. Some internal reports have shown a pattern of similar incidents before a serious accident finally forced action.

Time is critical. The sooner this evidence is gathered, the stronger your case will be.

Are New Hampshire Safety Inspections Protecting You—Or Just Checking a Box?

New Hampshire requires elevator inspections, but are they actually keeping people safe? The state mandates:

• Annual Inspections – Elevators in public buildings must be checked yearly. But in 2021, 9% of inspections were delayed due to staffing shortages. In some cases, inspections were rushed, leading to overlooked hazards.
• Private Building Inspections – These happen less often, and many property owners don’t bother scheduling them, leaving hazardous elevators in use. Uninspected elevators have been linked to some of the worst injuries nationwide.
• Violation Fixes Before Recertification – Businesses are supposed to fix problems before getting their operating certificates. However, an audit in 2018 found that some elevators were still in operation despite serious safety concerns. Some violations were left unresolved for years, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

Just because an elevator “passed” inspection doesn’t mean it’s safe. If you were hurt in one that had supposedly been checked, don’t assume all the boxes were properly ticked.

This Isn’t Just an Injury, It’s Your Life. Fight for What You Deserve.

If you were injured in an elevator or escalator accident in Manchester, you don’t have to figure this out alone. The legal team at Horn Wright, LLP is ready to fight to take on negligent businesses and insurance companies and win.

Call us today for a free consultation and let an experienced personal injury attorney help you. You deserve strong legal representation, so why not hire one of the best law firms in America?