[August 07, 2014]

I.U.E.C. Local 1 Union President Expresses Regret for Preventable Elevator Death

A man fell to his death in an open elevator shaft in Queens on Wednesday afternoon. The man was moving a mini-fridge when he fell from the fourth story onto the top of the elevator located at least one story below.

"This death and all elevator fatalities are tragic and preventable," explained The International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 1 President/Business Manager Lenny Legotte. "Over 30 states require training standards for elevator mechanics; New York is one of a minority of states that does not. As a leader in industry education and training, the I.U.E.C. Local 1 strongly supports state required education, training and licensing of elevator mechanics. Proposed legislation could have helped prevent this and other accidents."

Videos explaining the legislation can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSVuaOPiuws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJcKg-aqoNY

The building, located at 41-90 Frame Place, was built in 1928 and is six stories high with 41 apartments. This building has been cited for 11 elevator violations.

"This event was predictable, obvious and preventable. Until the state requires elevator mechanics to be licensed, people will continue to be injured and killed," said New York Elevator Accident Lawyer Steven Schwartzapfel, an attorney who represents workers of I.U.E.C. No. 1.

About The Elevator Constructors Union No. 1 New York (I.U.E.C. No. 1) and New Jersey

The Elevator Constructors Union No. 1 New York (I.U.E.C. No. 1) and New Jersey is the local chapter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors which represents over 25,000 members. More information is available at http://www.localoneiuec.com

About Steven Schwartzapfel

Steven Schwartzapfel is the founding Member of Schwartzapfel Lawyers P.C., one of the most prominent and well respected Plaintiff's personal injury law firms in New York.

Steven has been a member, director, and officer and Past President-elect of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and currently serves as a Director Emeritus. Steven served as the first President of the Alliance for Consumer Rights, and is also a founding member, Director and First Vice-President Officer of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has served on the Judicial Screening Committees for the Supreme Court, Appellate Division and New York Court of Appeals, in addition to serving on the Committee on Professional Discipline.

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt because of someone else's fault or negligence, please contact the New York lawyers of Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. Call us at 516.806.6393 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation. We will fight for you!

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