A deadly construction accident in New York City claimed the life of one worker and left another injured earlier this month at a jobsite in Manhattan. The two victims were part of a crew working at the West 57th Street site-future home to one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city-when a glass panel fell from several stories up. It’s unclear whether the panel was being hoisted at the time but at least one media outlet reports that the panel was being shifted high above ground level at the time of the accident.
Regardless of the circumstances, this senseless tragedy could have been (and should have been) avoided. Safeguards exist to protect the men and women who have to work under potential overhead hazards and clearly the individuals in charge of this jobsite failed to follow them.
When the 14-foot long glass hit the ground it shattered, seriously injuring a 27-year-old construction worker but it was a 57-year-old security guard who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time who paid the ultimate price. The man was killed instantly by the falling panel.
Reports show that the Department of Building immediately issued a stop work order at the jobsite and launched a full investigation into this fatal falling objects accident in Manhattan. Records also show that the agency issued a violation for failure to protect worker’s safety. The surviving victim and the family members of the man who was killed can pursue lawsuits to seek compensation for pain and suffering and lost wages (present and future) under the New York Labor Law which holds a property owner and general contractor for the project absolutely responsible due to this falling object accident.
If you’ve been injured by falling debris, construction materials, or equipment at a jobsite anywhere in the city, contact an experienced New York City falling object attorney immediately. The experienced experts at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel can help you get the financial recovery you deserve. Call 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today.