Can You Claim for Getting Stuck in a Lift at Work?

Getting stuck in a lift at work can be a terrible experience. Not only could you suffer physical injuries if the lift stopped suddenly but the whole episode can be very distressing and, in some cases, lead to long-term psychological injuries. Therefore, we’ve written this guide to explain your options if you are trapped in a lift at work and to explain when you might be entitled to claim compensation. Furthermore, we provide expert advice about the types of evidence that could support your claim and the level of compensation that you might be entitled to claim.

We are happy to help you claim compensation after being stuck in a lift at work starting with a no-obligation review of your case if you get in touch. Not only will we answer your questions but you’ll also be offered free legal advice about how to proceed with a claim if your case is feasible. If it is, we could even connect you with an accident-at-work solicitor who’ll provide representation on a No Win, No Fee basis if your claim proceeds.

To talk to us about how to start a claim, you can:

• Call 0333 241 2519 to connect with a legal advisor.
• Use our 24/7 live chat service to ask any questions.

Please read on for more on when it’s possible to claim compensation after being trapped in a lift at work or give us a call if you have any questions.

Types of Injuries From Being Stuck in a Lift We Can Help With

If you are trapped in a lift at work, it may be possible to claim for any type of injury you’ve sustained so long as the accident occurred because of your employer’s negligence.

Here are some examples:

• Head injuries including concussions if you fell after the lift stopped suddenly.
• Anxiety and distress caused by being trapped even if you do not suffer from claustrophobia.
• Bruises, strains and sprains.
• Cuts and lacerations.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) if being trapped in a lift causes flashbacks, nightmares, depression or other ongoing symptoms.
• Back injuries.

Even if we’ve not described your injuries here, please get in touch with our legal advisors now for free advice.

Can I Claim Compensation for Getting Stuck in a Lift?

According to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998  (LOLER), lifts that are used by workers (or any other person) must be inspected regularly by a competent person.

The competent person could be a member of staff who has received relevant training or, more likely, an engineer from the lift manufacturer. As part of their periodic inspections, they may need to assess:

• Braking systems.
• The operation of the lift doors.
• Safety devices (including emergency bells and intercoms).
• Hydraulic systems.
• Electrical earthing.
• Suspension ropes.

Your employer should appoint a duty holder who has responsibility for ensuring lift inspections are performed regularly, keeping records and arranging for any faults to be fixed as soon as possible to try and prevent staff from becoming stuck in a lift at work.

As such, you might be entitled to claim compensation after getting stuck in a lift at work if you can show that:

• At the time of the incident, you were owed a legal duty of care by your employer; and
• You were trapped in a lift at work because your employer was negligent; and
• As a result, you sustained physical or psychological injuries (or both) in the last three years.

If your case meets the above criteria, one of our solicitors might be able to help you claim for your suffering on a No Win, No Fee basis. To find out more, please give us a call now.

What Should I Do if I Get Stuck in a Lift?

If you ever become stuck in a lift at work, you should generally:

• Try not to panic. Being stuck in a confined space can be quite alarming, especially if there are multiple people involved.
• Use the emergency bell or intercom to raise the alarm.
• Phone your employer to tell them where you are if possible. If you cannot contact them and the lift’s intercom fails, call the emergency services.
• Do not try to escape from the lift by forcing the doors open.

After you have been rescued, it is important to tell your employer about the incident and to get treatment for any injuries. You should also ensure that the incident is logged in the company’s accident report book.

What Types of Negligence Can Lead to Compensation for Being Trapped in a Lift?

You could be entitled to claim compensation if you became trapped in a lift at work because:

• There was a known fault with the lift but your employer allowed it to be used regardless.
• The lift broke down due to poorly maintained components seizing up.
• You were trapped in a lift because of a localised power cut caused by inadequate system maintenance.

Crucially, you could also claim if you were unable to raise the alarm because of a faulty emergency intercom and, as a result, your suffering increased.

What Evidence Can Be Used for a Compensation Claim?

Ideally, you should collect as much evidence as possible if you wish to sue for getting stuck in a lift at work. This could include:

• Photographs of any visible defects within the lift or in the immediate surroundings.
• Information about the lift including its make, model and serial number.
• CCTV footage from within the lift where available.
• Medical records to help prove that you were injured whilst trapped in the lift.
• A copy of the accident report form about the incident.
• Details of any witnesses who were in the lift with you.
• Pictures of any visible injury symptoms.

If your claim is accepted by an accident-at-work solicitor on our panel, they may request further evidence from your employer such as lift maintenance records as part of their service.

How Long Do I Have to Claim Stuck in a Lift Compensation?

The time limit for personal injury claims in the UK is 3 years according to the Limitation Act 1980. For many, this limitation period will begin on the date they were trapped in a lift.

However, if the claimant lacks the mental capacity to claim (if they have PTSD for instance), there is basically no time limit unless their mental capacity returns. In these scenarios, someone else would be entitled to claim on behalf of the injured party at any point.

While 3 years should be enough time to claim, we suggest that you allow plenty of time for evidence to be collected, medical assessments to be arranged and for your case to be prepared. Therefore, please call our legal advisors as soon as possible if you’d like to claim for any suffering you’ve endured after being stuck in a lift at work.

How Much Compensation for Getting Trapped in a Lift at Work?

If you have suffered from getting trapped in a lift at work varies, any settlement you’re entitled to will normally be formed of general damages (to reflect the level of physical and psychological suffering you’ve endured) and special damages (to cover any costs or expenses linked to your injuries).

When assessing general damages, solicitors often use medical reports and hospital records and compare them with injuries listed in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).

The special damages element of your claim could cover costs related to your injuries such as:

• Rehabilitation costs including psychiatric treatment costs.
• Travel costs (when visiting a hospital for instance).
• Loss of earnings.
• Care costs (including the time a loved one spends supporting you at home).
• Future loss of earnings where your injuries have a long-term impact on your ability to work.

You should only agree to settle your claim once all aspects of your suffering have been considered. If you work with one of our solicitors, this is something they’ll do with you to try and ensure that you are fairly compensated.

Do I Need a Solicitor to Sue for Being Stuck in a Lift at Work?

Making any type of compensation claim against your employer can be awkward, complicated and involve lots of legal and medical evidence. While it is possible to manage a claim yourself, you might decide that suiing your employer for negligence is easier if you have a specialist solicitor on your side.

Our accident-at-work solicitors will typically:

• Deal with your employer (and their insurers) on your behalf so you don’t need to deal with them directly.
• File your claim correctly and on time.
• Try to find additional evidence to support your case if any aspect is contested.
• File regular updates so you know how things are progressing.
• Aim to secure the maximum level of compensation possible.

Crucially, if you’ve been stuck in a lift at work and one of our solicitors agrees to help, they’ll provide a No Win, No Fee service once you’ve signed a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

The CFA means that the only time your solicitor’s work needs to be paid for is if you receive a compensation payout. If that happens, an agreed percentage of your settlement will be deducted to pay your solicitor’s success fee. However, this is capped at 25 per cent by law for your protection.

How Long Will The Claims Process Take?

The time it takes to settle a claim if you’ve been trapped at work in a lift can vary depending on several different factors.

For instance, if you suffered a minor personal injury, compensation could be paid out in as little as 4 or 5 months. This may be possible following a swift recovery and where your employer accepts liability for the accident right away.

However, more serious claims such as those including psychological injuries could take a year (or longer) in some cases. For instance, PTSD claims linked to being trapped in a lift might take longer because it can take a while for medical experts to ascertain how long the claimant is likely to be affected by the incident.

In these types of cases, the claimant might receive interim payments to support them financially before the claim is completed so long as liability has been proven.

Contacting Us About Getting Trapped In A Lift At Work

If you have suffered after being stuck in a lift at work and would like to find out if you are entitled to compensation, you can:

• Call us on 0800 000 000 to speak to a legal advisor.
• Use our free live chat service day or night to connect with us.

Our initial advice is free and there’s no obligation to sue your employer for being stuck in a lift. However, all accepted work injury claims are processed on a No Win, No Fee basis for your peace of mind.