Book Description

You're considering the case of a maintenance worker injured while repairing an elevator. Or perhaps it's an elderly woman hurt on a department store escalator while Christmas shopping with her grandkids. An initial search of the literature has turned up almost nothing useful. Your instinct tells you it's a good case, but to evaluate it properly, you need this latest addition our litigation series. The key questions are: what caused the accident, and what were the contributory factors? Some accidents have an element of "in the wrong place at the wrong time" about them, and others have an element of disregard for the equipment involved. Sadly, others fall into the category of sheer negligence or incompetence. This book will help you tell the difference. The authors have had the unpleasant task of investigating numerous elevator and escalator accidents. Their expertise will guide you as you make your decision to take or reject the case, and their experience will give you the basic understanding of the issues you need to proceed with confidence. TOPICS INCLUDE Codes, regulations and related subjects--for the U.S., with consideration of Canada and the U.K.Accident statistics and selected incidents The elements of typical elevator accidents The elements of typical escalator accidents Reviewing and understanding maintenance documents Presuit investigation: should a suit be instituted? Legal theories and negligence A glossary and a sample expert report Pleadings--excerpt of a typical complaint Discovery--sample interrogatories, request for production of documents and corporate designee notices Expert opinion: the applicability of Daubert, Khumo and Frye