Falling objects at construction sites in New York are one of the most injurious types of accidents that workers face on a daily basis. This is a fact that two men learned the hard way on November 2. The individuals were working with a crew in the basement of a building located at 555 West End Avenue when the ceiling collapsed, trapping them.
According to FDNY reports, the accident occurred at roughly 7:30 in the morning. Within minutes, 65 New York City firefighters arrived on scene and started to clear enough to debris from the claustrophobic accident site to safely get the men out.
Both men were injured. One required hospitalization at nearby St. Luke’s’ Hospital for a leg injury while the second man was treated for minor injuries and released.
The historic building is an old Catholic high school which is currently being converted into residential apartments. Department of Buildings records show that it had undergone significant demolition prior to this latest ceiling collapse in Manhattan. While it appears the construction company received all the necessary DOB permits, the agency issued a partial stop work order until the Manhattan construction accident could be investigated further.
Falling objects at construction sites in New York are one of OSHA Fatal Five–construction accidents responsible for more worker deaths than any others. Regulations are in place to prevent such accidents and safety standards (including the use of hardhats, safety barriers, and cordoned “no go” zones) are mandatory. However, negligence and disregard of these standards have caused deadly accidents in the past. Should these workers bring a lawsuit for their injuries, the New York labor Law holds a property owner and the general contractor for the project absolutely responsible for failing to provide adequate safety equipment.
If you or a loved one has been injured in similar construction accident in New York, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Contact an expert New York City falling objects accident attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.