Jessica Moore, the mother of 18-year-old JauMarcus McFarland, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of her son, who was crushed to death after being trapped while trying to exit a malfunctioning elevator. JauMarcus was living in the building while attending a local prep school to play football.
According to the lawsuit, the elevator was a source of complaints among residents for years. The state’s Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner found that it was over a year late on safety inspections. A suit has been filed against the company that owns the building, three elevator maintenance companies in the area, and the school that housed JauMarcus in the building.
Based on security camera footage, the fire department has determined that 16 people were on the elevator. When the elevator doors opened on the third floor, several people exited the elevator because they felt that the elevator was beginning to fall to the first floor. JauMarcus was the fourth person to try to exit the elevator, but it was moving too quickly. The top of the elevator stopped, and JauMarcus’ upper torso was pinned between the elevator and the bottom of the third-floor exit. According to the state agency’s report, “Video footage from the third floor shows elevator 1 doors open as the elevator begins drifting in the downward direction, three residents jump from the moving elevator onto the third-floor lobby. A fourth resident, JauMarcus McFarland, attempted to jump from the elevator, but his upper torso was pinned by the moving elevator and the landing sill of the third floor, which stopped the elevator’s downward travel.”
When someone is injured or dies as a result of an accident, financial recovery may be available. Such recovery is particularly important when permanent, life-changing injuries are incurred. It is important to contact someone who understands the intricacies of the injured party’s right to recover.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, contact an attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-396-3964 or toll-free at 1-800-594-4884. Abraham Watkins offers a free consultation to anyone wishing to pursue a claim for such injuries or fatalities.