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Elevator‐Related Deaths
Author(s) -
Prahlow Joseph A.,
Ashraf Zuhha,
Plaza Natalie,
Rogers Christopher,
Ferreira Pamela,
Fowler David R.,
Blessing Melissa M.,
Wolf Dwayne A.,
Graham Michael A.,
Sandberg Kelly,
Brown Theodore T.,
Lantz Patrick E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.14235
Subject(s) - elevator , asphyxia , blunt , poison control , forensic engineering , injury prevention , occupational safety and health , medicine , engineering , medical emergency , environmental health , surgery , pediatrics , structural engineering , pathology
Elevators are mechanical transportation devices used to move vertically between different levels of a building. When first developed, elevators lacked the safety features. When safety mechanisms were developed, elevators became a common feature of multistory buildings. Despite their well‐regarded safety record, elevators are not without the potential for danger of injury or death. Persons at‐risk for elevator‐related death include maintenance and construction workers, other employees, and those who are prone to risky behavior. Deaths may be related to asphyxia, blunt force, avulsion injuries, and various forms of environmental trauma. In this review, we report on 48 elevator‐related deaths that occurred in nine different medicolegal death investigation jurisdictions within the United States over an approximately 30‐year period. The data represents a cross‐section of the different types of elevator‐related deaths that may be encountered. The review also presents an overview of preventive strategies for the purpose of avoiding future elevator‐related fatalities.