Family of Maine boy killed in elevator accident settle for $3million

Case Name:

Jeffrey Smith, et al. v. Otis Elevator Company, et al.

Case Number: 01-CV-305

Date: 01/08/03

State: Maine

Details:

Wrongful death claim by parents of Tucker Smith who was crushed to death by the doors of a moving elevator in 2001. His parents saw him die from his injuries. The Plaintiffs claimed that Otis Elevator knew as early as the 1930s of the risks to children of the elevator design in question and was on notice of as many as 30 similar deaths of children caught and crushed between the doors of this type of elevator. In fact, Otis developed a "fix" for the problem that reduced the space between the doors a number of years ago but failed to install the fix on the 10,000 or so elevators of this design still in service nationwide. Tucker Smith's family are still in therapy addressing the emotional trauma caused by seeing Tucker crushed to death.

Verdict Outcome:

Settlement for family of victim in the amount of $3 million