An elderly man suffered non-life-threatening injuries in an accident involving a crumbling façade in Manhattan earlier this month. The 72-year-old man was walking along the sidewalk near the intersection of First Avenue and East 57th Street on the Upper East Side on the afternoon of May 11th when several bricks broke free from the façade of the building located there. The bricks tumbled multiple stories, broke through a protective sidewalk shed put there to protect pedestrians, and
smashed into his shoulder and foot.
EMT’s were called to the scene but the victim refused medical treatment. However, Department of Buildings investigators were called to the scene in order to survey the damage and inspect the building for other potential hazards.
Media reports surrounding this terrifying façade collapse state that there is ongoing construction at the site. An outdoor terrace area between the 15th and 18th floors of the building is undergoing a renovation. However, it’s unclear if the bricks fell from the jobsite or if they broke free from another floor.
Manhattan building façade accidents like this are not uncommon when work is being done on the upper floors of high-rise buildings. The building owner or the company in charge of the renovation could be held financially responsible. However, sidewalk sheds are designed to shield pedestrians from falling debris. Indeed, they’re mandatory in jobsites and at other locations where building facades have been deemed unsafe. In this particular case, the company that erected the sidewalk shed may share some of the responsibility.
Accidents involving crumbling facades can result in serious injuries to innocent workers, pedestrians, or building residents. The building owner, the contracting company responsible for the construction work being done at the site, or those in charge of erecting faulty sidewalk sheds can be held financially liable for the injuries suffered by any innocent party.
If you’ve been injured by falling debris from a building façade while walking anywhere in the city, contact an experienced Manhattan premises liability lawyer today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation right now.