A worker at a Manhattan construction site plunged 10 stories to his death on Monday when the wooden platform on which he as standing collapsed. According to a report by the New York Daily News, the 62-year old man was doing a survey on the 16th floor when the tragedy occurred. He fell 10 stories before landing on the 6th floor. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The New York City Buildings Department issued a violation to the contractor for failing to safeguard the site and also issued a full stop-work order at the building.
This tragedy underscores the need for enhanced safety at construction sites as well as the the continued efforts of our legal community to hold construction companies accountable for their lapses in safety.
Due to the severity of injuries caused by construction accident falls from heights, it is critical to focus on prevention. To prevent falls, contractors and construction workers should create a safety plan to use while working at heights. The plan should include necessary safety equipment and training with that equipment, depending upon the nature of the specific job.
The nature of the construction industry gives workers a wide range of reasons to be at great heights, and depending upon the circumstances unique in each case, injured workers could be entitled to more than workers’ compensation after a fall. Contractors are required to provide a safe working environment, which includes proper safety precautions. In many situations, New York Labor Law Section 240 gives injured workers compensation after a fall in which the contractor or the owner were not directly or actively at fault.
Due to the complex nature of construction accident lawsuits, it’s within the best interest of victims to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. At Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool, our attorneys have decades of combined experience. Our attorneys’ experience combined with a unique knowledge of the law has led to a number of enviable verdicts and settlements. For instance, we recovered $7.01 million in a wrongful death lawsuit following a construction accident.
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in a construction accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages incurred. Please call 212-406-1700 or contact us online for a free case evaluation from Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool. We will do anything in our power to help you secure the compensation you may be entitled to.
