Ohio State Denies Liability for Student’s Death in Dormitory Elevator

Ohio State University argues it’s not responsible for the death of a Pennsylvania freshman pinned by a dormitory elevator in 2006.

In a court document filed this week, the university says in response to a lawsuit that Andrew Polakowski’s own negligence caused or contributed to his injuries. Ohio State says the 18-year-old from Erie, Pa., helped to overcrowd the elevator, causing it to become stuck between floors. The teen was crushed trying to crawl out.

Polakowski’s parents filed a wrongful death suit against the university last month, seeking upwards of $50,000. Their attorney calls it “absurd” that Ohio State would blame Polakowski for his own death. Lawyer Tim Riley also says the elevator should have had an alarm to warn if it was overloaded.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com