Emergency services rescued a woman after she was trapped in a private elevator in New York for three days. Marites Fortaliza, a 53-year-old cleaning lady, was pulled to safety by firefighters after spending three days imprisoned in the broken-down elevator in the home of billionaire Warren Stephens.
It happened in an upscale Manhattan townhouse on the Upper East Side where the victim had worked for 18 years. On Friday, Jan. 25, she had been using the building elevator when it became stuck between the second and third floors of the home. The owners, Warren Stephens and his wife Harriet, were away for the weekend, and Fortaliza was left trapped in the elevator with no way to escape or call for help.
Emergency services were called to the house to free Fortaliza after the owners returned home on Monday morning and realized that she was stranded in the elevator. A member of the Stephens family accompanied her to a nearby hospital, where she is recovering well.
Elevator Accidents
It is unclear what caused the private elevator within the $20 million home to stop suddenly between floors. The Daily Mail reports that city inspectors examined it in October 2017, finding some unspecified defects. However, it was ruled safe to use and has been active since then. We have scheduled another inspection for October 2018, but we do not yet know the results.
Following this incident, the Stephens family released a statement. It reads: “The employee involved has been a valued member of the Stephens extended family for 18 years. The Stephens family is relieved and thankful that she is doing well in the hospital.
“The cause of this unfortunate incident is being investigated, and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that something like this never happens again.”
Elevator accidents account for many yearly injuries and can even be fatal. The most common types of accidents include sudden elevator drops and crashes, people getting caught in the automatic doors, people trying to escape when the elevator has stopped at a misaligned point, and people becoming trapped inside. On average, reports indicate that elevator accidents claim the lives of about 27 people annually. More than 10,000 people are also injured in elevators annually, and more than half require hospital treatment.
Elevator Liability Issues
In the event of an elevator accident, at least some portion of liability will usually lie with the building’s owner or manager. In the case of private homes and commercial buildings, the owner is responsible for ensuring that the machinery is properly maintained and inspected and in good working order.
Depending on the situation, a manufacturer, installation company, maintenance company, or inspector may share some portion of fault. If an elevator incident has injured you or a loved one, Bisnar Chase’s expert premises liability attorneys can assist you. Contact us for more information on the legal process.
