Woman trapped in falling elevator at Chicago parking garage, sues for injuries

A Schererville, Ind., resident is suing over injuries she sustained when an elevator malfunctioned and allegedly fell several stories.

Serrita Connor brought suit May 5 in Cook County Circuit Court against 900 North Michigan LLC; JMB Financial Advisors LLC; and Fujitec America Inc., all of Delaware, claiming negligence in a May 2013 injury.

900 North Michigan owns the real estate located at 900 N. Michigan / 60 E. Delaware, including a parking garage with elevators leading to adjacent businesses, the suit states.

According to the filing, Connor was inside elevator No. 6 on the property on May 17, 2013, when it allegedly fell a number of stories before coming to a sudden stop between floors of the building. The plaintiff states that she was trapped in the elevator for an unreasonable period of time.

Connor maintains all defendants were remiss in their duty of care as common carriers of the structure. The complaint alleges negligence in maintaining, inspecting and otherwise controlling settings on the elevator - including errant leveling devices which allowed the elevator to shift horizontally during its descent - and failing to warn the plaintiff of danger.

Citing physical injury and psychological trauma, medical bills and lost time from work, Conner seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus attorney’s fees and costs. She is represented in the case by Marc Mayer, of Mayer and Marsh Law Group of Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No.: 15-L-4639.