Williford Law | Serious Representation for Catastrophic Elevator and Escalator Injuries
Elevators Are Meant to Protect You. When They Fail, We Hold the System Accountable.
Elevators are everywhere — in office towers, hotels, hospitals, apartments, and parking structures. Most riders never question their safety.
But when an elevator or escalator fails — due to poor maintenance, mechanical malfunction, or management neglect— the results are often devastating.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an elevator-related incident, you deserve answers, accountability, and a law firm with the resources and experience to fight for both.
At Williford Law, we represent individuals and families across Texas and throughout Texas in serious elevator injury and wrongful death claims. We uncover what went wrong — and who must pay.
Types of Elevator and Escalator Accidents We Handle
- Sudden elevator drops or free-falls
- Door malfunctions (crushing limbs or pinning bodies)
- Misleveling injuries (floor misalignment causing trips or falls)
- Entrapment or prolonged confinement in elevator cars
- Escalator injuries (falls, clothing entrapment, shoe or limb injuries)
- Mechanical failure during maintenance or inspection
- Children injured in unguarded elevator shafts or doors
- Wrongful death in elevator shaft or collapse incidents
Whether the building is commercial, residential, or government-owned, we know how to investigate — and how to win.
Who May Be Held Liable in an Elevator Accident?
| Responsible Party | Legal Duty |
| Property owner or landlord | Maintain safe premises, comply with inspection schedules |
| Maintenance company (e.g., Otis, Schindler) | Perform required service, respond to known issues |
| Elevator manufacturer | Design and build safe, functional equipment |
| Building management or contractors | Coordinate repairs, keep elevators operational and safe |
| General contractors (if under construction) | Ensure elevator is not used unsafely or prematurely |
We investigate maintenance logs, 911 call data, inspection reports, and security footage to build a complete liability case.
Common Causes of Elevator and Escalator Injuries
- Missed inspections or skipped maintenance
- Defective pulleys, motors, or safety brakes
- Door sensor failures or force-closing malfunctions
- Electrical or power-related system failure
- Overloaded elevator cars
- Poor installation or construction error
- Failure to post warnings, signage, or out-of-service notices
- Escalator speed irregularities or handrail malfunctions
Elevators are subject to strict safety codes. When someone ignores them, the law is on your side.
Severe Injuries Resulting from Elevator Incidents
Victims of elevator accidents often suffer:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from falls or impact
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crushed limbs or amputations from door closures or entrapment
- Pelvic or lower extremity fractures from misleveling or free-fall stops
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Burns or electrical trauma (from faulty wiring or short circuits)
- Psychological injuries (panic disorder, PTSD, claustrophobia)
- Wrongful death
We build your case using lifecare planners, medical experts, and safety engineers to fully document every consequence.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
If negligence contributed to your injury or a loved one’s death, we fight for:
- Emergency and surgical care costs
- Long-term rehabilitation and home care needs
- Lost wages and reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological counseling
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Wrongful death compensation (including funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and future earnings)
At Williford Law, we never settle for “what’s easy.” We fight for what’s right.
What to Do After an Elevator Injury in Texas
- Call 911 and request EMS if injured.
- Get immediate medical care — even minor symptoms may mask serious damage.
- Report the incident to building management or security.
- Request a copy of the incident report, but do not sign any waivers.
- Take photos or video of the elevator, doors, signage, and area.
- Get names and contacts for witnesses, other passengers, or staff.
- Preserve clothing and shoes if damage contributed to the injury.
- Call Williford Law immediately before any repairs or changes erase critical evidence.
We will immediately send a preservation letter to the building owner, management company, and maintenance provider to secure all logs, surveillance footage, and service records.
Why Clients Choose Williford Law After Elevator Accidents
- We focus exclusively on serious injury and wrongful death cases
- We are experienced in premises liability, product liability, and multi-party litigation
- We understand elevator systems, code violations, and inspection protocols
- We hire independent engineers and building code consultants to reconstruct the event
- We prepare every case for trial, not settlement by pressure or delay
- You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you
When your future is on the line, you deserve a law firm that doesn’t back down — no matter who’s on the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I sue a commercial property owner for an elevator injury?
Yes. Property owners are legally required to maintain elevator safety and inspect it regularly. Failure to do so supports a premises liability claim.
What if the elevator company had just serviced the unit?
We may file a negligence claim against the maintenance contractor for improper service, inadequate response, or ignored warning signs.
What if I were stuck inside for hours but not physically injured?
You may still be entitled to emotional distress and psychological trauma damages, especially if you experienced panic, anxiety, or unsafe conditions.
How long do I have to file a claim in Texas?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the incident to file. However, delays may cause critical video and log data to be lost — contact us immediately.
