In a recent incident that sparked online debate, a notice placed in front of an elevator at the Longtan District People’s Court in Jilin City has drawn significant public attention. The sign, which read “life and death†in Chinese, warned users: “The hospital will not be responsible for any consequences resulting from taking the elevator.†This message, posted by microblog user “Changchun Hello,†quickly gained traction on Weibo, prompting discussions about safety and accountability.
On the afternoon of the 28th, a reporter visited the court to investigate. Located on the first floor, the notice was visible through an iron gate on the left side of the entrance hall. The sign stated that due to the elevator’s long service life, it could malfunction at any time, and users were advised to take the stairs instead. It also included a disclaimer stating the hospital would not be held responsible for any incidents related to elevator use.
According to the report, the notice was removed on the morning of the 29th. When the reporter returned later that day, they were stopped by security guards upon entering the building. After registration, the guards contacted the hospital, but no staff members were available to address the issue. A uniformed man informed the reporter that there was only one elevator in the building, which served up to the fifth floor, not the sixth.
At around 9:10 a.m., a cleaning staff member approached the notice and removed it. The reporter followed her to the stairwell, where she explained that the sign had been in place for years and was periodically removed and re-posted as per instructions. However, the reporter did not see the notice reinstalled after that.
Later, the hospital staff failed to provide an official response. A security guard eventually informed the reporter that they had contacted a leader and would arrange an interview later. Around 10:35 a.m., the reporter was taken to an office near the elevator. There, Ma Yumei, Chief of the Political Department Division, and Deng Wei, from the Propaganda Department, met with the reporter.
Deng Wei explained that the notice had been posted several years ago during a meeting involving hospital leaders. He admitted that the current management was unaware of the issue and would need to consult higher authorities for a proper response. Regarding the elevator's safety and the notice, Deng said the interaction was more of a courtesy than an official statement.
When asked if the court would bear responsibility in case of an accident, the reporter consulted Xu Yongping, a lawyer from Changchun Yongping Law Firm. Xu emphasized that if an elevator is faulty, it should be taken out of service immediately. In the event of an accident, the relevant parties would be legally responsible.
This incident highlights the importance of clear communication and proactive maintenance in public facilities, especially those serving vulnerable groups such as patients and legal professionals. The lack of transparency and timely action from the court has raised concerns among both the public and legal experts.