John Fleming tried a case that involved three businessmen in an elevator at a local hospital, who claimed the elevator dropped or fell several floors. One businessman had a heart attack. The elevator involved was a hydraulic elevator. The expert for the defense testified that when a hydraulic elevator breaks or malfunctions, the elevator will fall slowly, due to the fact that the elevator is supported by fluid located in cylinders and lines which diminish slowly during any system failure. The jury returned with a not guilty verdict in favor of John’s client.
