Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

Daring Rescue Saves Construction Workers After Scaffolding Accident in New York City

On Behalf of | Dec 23, 2020 | Firm News

Two construction workers were left hanging from the side of a building last month during a terrifying scaffolding accident in Manhattan. The pair of workers were working on the façade of a building located at the intersection of 78th Street and Broadway around 4:30 PM on the afternoon of September 15th when the mobile scaffolding rig they were using gave way. One side of the structure remained attached to cabling while the other broke completely free and swung low at a perilous downward angle.

The two workers were both wearing safety harnesses (which prevented them from falling to the sidewalk below) but could not get leverage enough to get back inside the building. They were forced to wait for FDNY first responders to arrive. One of the victims was pulled inside via a window opening. The other was forced to dangle high above the concrete while a firefighter rappelled down from the roof to rescue him.

The two individuals suffered only minor injuries in what could have otherwise been a deadly accident thanks to the proper use of safety equipment but there will no doubt be a thorough accident investigation into why one half of the scaffolding rig failed.

Under the New York Labor Law, when there is a failure of the required safety equipment such as in this case, the property owner and general contractor for the renovation project can be held absolutely liable for the accident, regardless of the actions of the workers themselves. The two workers can seek to hold the property owner and general contractor financially responsible for their physical injuries, lost time from work and any other related expenses along with the mental trauma that dangling from a harness high above the street must have caused.

If you’ve been injured in a similar accident at work caused by faulty safety equipment, contact an experienced scaffolding accident attorney in New York City right away. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation.

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