A tragic elevator accident in New York City has claimed the life of an elevator contracting company employee at the half-built Riu Hotel in Manhattan at 301 W. 46th St. near Eighth Ave. The man, identified as Christian Ginesi, plummeted from the 24th floor when the elevator he was working on stalled. Reports from eyewitnesses on the scene say Ginesi tried to jump from the elevator to safety but slipped and fell down the shaft.
The accident happened just before 1 PM. Ginesi was rushed to Bellevue Hospital. Doctors were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead just after 1:30 PM.
A co-worker who was in the elevator shaft with Ginesi said the two men were installing elevator door frames when the accident occurred. The first man was able to jump to safety when the elevator car stalled but Ginesi slipped and fell backward down the shaft.
The New York Department of buildings immediately issued a stop work order and issued a Class I violation to the elevator subcontractor in charge of the remodeling. G-Tech Associates was cited for failing to safeguard workers.
This isn’t the first time such an accident has occurred at this particular jobsite. In 2013 the DOB cited the company in charge of the operation because a demolition worker fell five stories. An investigation into that accident found floor openings without the required railings. The complaint filed with the DOB stated that the floors were collapsing around individuals while they were working. Additional citations from just days later included scaffolding violations and at least one non-OSHA certified worker onsite.
The Rinaldi Group LLC, which is the general contractor in charge of the project, defaulted on paying $16,000 in fines for previous violations.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an elevator accident in New York while on the job, you could be eligible for a substantial financial award to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact an expert New York City construction accident attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.