How Do I Prove My Psychological Harm if I was Trapped in an Elevator?

People can become entrapped in elevators for a number of reasons, including but not limited to power outages, power failures, mechanical failures, or sensor malfunctions, for example. According to the National Elevator Industry, Inc., elevators make more than 18 billion passenger trips every year, and the likelihood of passengers becoming trapped is very low. Unfortunately, because elevator entrapment incidents that do not result in injuries are not typically reported, there is a lack of accurate entrapment statistics. Estimates suggest that only 1 of every 100,000 elevator rides will result in getting stuck. Again, these estimates can be misleading as not every incident is reported.

Even if there are no physical injuries from getting trapped in an elevator, it is possible for these incidents to result in extensive psychological harm. Although every situation is different, affected parties might experience some of the following:

• Agoraphobia or the fear of situations where it may be difficult to escape or get help (resulting in the avoidance of certain buildings, elevators, or other places)
• Anxiety disorder
• Depression
• Fear of elevators or Elevatophobia (resulting in avoiding them at all costs which can limit their ability to access certain things and affect daily life)
• New or heightened claustrophobia or fear of small spaces (including but not limited to cars, airplanes, rooms, etc.)
• Panic disorder (resulting in panic attacks whenever the fear of being trapped arises)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Problems with sleep (such as insomnia, nightmares, trouble falling asleep and staying asleep)
• Social isolation (resulting from avoiding any social and work-related situations that could lead to elevator use)

Since psychological harm is considered intangible, it can be more difficult to prove than physical injuries. However, it is still possible to prove these damages. Consider some of the following recommendations:

• Seek medical attention after the incident, including therapy, counseling, etc.
• Be honest with your doctor, therapist, counselor. Express your concerns/struggles.
• If you are prescribed medication, ensure to take it as prescribed.
• Gather all relevant records associated with any mental health diagnosis.
• If the psychological damage has affected your ability to work, gather all records related to lost income and earnings.

If you find yourself unsure of how to prove the psychological harm that occurred after you were trapped in an elevator, please do not hesitate to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Our elevator entrapment lawyers are ready to guide you every step of the way.

Yes – you could have the right to file a lawsuit for the psychological damages resulting from getting entrapped in an elevator. Based on the details surrounding the incident, you could have the right to file a lawsuit against your employer, the owner of the building, the elevator maintenance company, or even the elevator manufacturer. For more information about your right to file a lawsuit for the psychological harm resulting from the incident, contact us today.

Many people mistakenly believe that they do not have the right to pursue a claim to get justice if they did not suffer physical injuries. If you suffered psychological harm, including mental and emotional distress, as a result of your elevator incident, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The harm that you suffered must be taken seriously. Here at our law firm, our expert elevator entrapment lawsuit lawyers are ready to take care of your claim and help you get justice. Contact us today.

We offer free legal services, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns. Whether you are starting or continuing your claim, our expert legal team can help you. Contact us today for a free case review.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will not be required to pay any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. Since our team works on a strict contingency structure, our clients will actually not be required to pay anything if their claims are not successful. If you do not win, you will not pay.

If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, contact us today.

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