Doctor killed by malfunctioning elevator

Barry Doyle

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 800

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While boarding a hospital elevator, a Houston doctor was caught in between the doors when doors shut. Instead of automatically opening, the doors remained shut and the elevator began to rise even as a nurse inside the elevator car pushed the "door open" button.

The doctor was decapitated by the http://www.houstonpress.com/2003-10-09/news/catching-elevators. Sadly, this was not the first serious accident involving elevators at that hospital.

Buildings that have elevators are considered common carriers as to passengers aboard or boarding the elevator. This means that the owe the highest degree of care to ensure the safety of the passengers, much as buses and railroads do for their passengers. This includes a duty to inspect and maintain the equipement. Inadequate maintenance and inspections are usually the key causes behind most elevator injuries.