An early morning construction accident in New York City sent three construction workers to local hospitals suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries. The men were working on a jobsite in Brooklyn-near the Gowanus Expressway-around 9AM on May 9th when tragedy struck. That’s when a massive steel plate fell from above and struck all three of them.
EMS crews arrived and rushed two of the men to Lutheran Hospital and one to nearby Methodist Hospital. Reports show that all three men were admitted in “serious condition”.
While it wasn’t immediately clear what caused this Brooklyn construction accident, failure to follow prescribed safety procedures could have contributed to the workers’ injuries. Usually when a heavy load is being lifted or when heavy materials or equipment are present or in operation overhead, the area immediately underneath is cordoned off. This prevents injuries in the event of a catastrophic collapse or some sort of mishap.
Falling object accidents in New York are serious. This type of worksite accident is one of OSHA’s “Fatal Four” (which also includes electrocution, falling from heights, and being trapped between objects/equipment). These accidents kill more workers nationwide than any others and are often avoidable. However, specific regulations exist for these kinds of situations. These include proper lifting procedures and construction of overhead shedding and protection.
While the investigation into this particular falling objects accident in New York is still underway, these three men have sound bases for a lawsuit. The New York labor Law will be also be invoked to hold the property owner and general contractor for the project absolutely liable for the happening of the accident and the worker’s injuries. The injured workers can recover for pain and suffering, unpaid medical expenses and lost wages, past, present and future.
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in New York City, having an experienced lawyer on your side is the only way to get the financial compensation you deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel today at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.