Few would expect elevators to be a workplace hazard, but that was the case for one New York advertising executive who was killed on Dec. 14 in the elevator of her Madison Avenue office building.

The fatal accident happened around 10 a.m. According to officials, the elevator began to ascend as the 41-year-old woman was stepping into it. The doors remained open and her body became trapped between the elevator floor and the entrance. One fire official said it appeared that her body is what pinned the elevator between the first and second floor of the building.

Two other people were in the elevator at the time, but could not offer her any assistance. Both passengers were taken to a local hospital, but didn’t appear to have suffered any injuries. Reports indicate that the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The woman worked at the prominent advertising agency, Y&R, and was the director of new business.

The news report indicates that the elevator in the 85-year-old building was inspected in June. Officials did not find any safety issues at that time, but a friend of the victim and a former employee at the advertising agency said the elevators were the kind you had to stick your hand into in order to stop the doors from closing.

Family, friends and colleagues of the victim are no doubt shocked and deeply saddened over the tragedy. While the elevator didn’t appear to have any safety issues over the summer, something clearly went terribly wrong. In an instance like this, the family of the victim should be compensated for their tragic loss.

Source: The New York Times, “Woman Fatally Crushed in Midtown Elevator Accident,” Andy Newman, Meredith Hoffman and Al Baker, Dec. 14, 2011

Contact Our Wrongful Death Law Firm in New York City

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY and need legal help, contact our New York City wrongful death lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007