Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

New York City Construction Wall Collapse Injuries Three Pedestrians

On Behalf of | Jan 8, 2014 | Construction Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents

A New York City construction accident at 561 Seventh Ave injured unsuspecting pedestrians on November first of this year. A construction wall collapse in Manhattan, near Times Square, sent three passersby to the hospital. Heavy debris fell on the three pedestrians, trapping them until good Samaritans were able to clear it and pull the victims from the wreckage.

Tom Meara with the NYFD told a reporter that the metal and plywood structure was a covering designed to protect the facade of a restaurant at the Garment District location as it was being renovated. He also said that two women were hit in the head and one man suffered arm and hand injuries in the Manhattan construction accident. The injured individuals, whose identities and conditions have yet to be released, were taken to Bellevue Hospital and later released.

David Johnson, owner of the restaurant under renovation, estimated that a gust of wind roughly 65 to 75 miles an hour whipped down the canyon-like street and ripped the structure off the front of the building. Witnesses report hearing what they thought was an “explosion” and seeing debris flying everywhere. Complicating the matter, a massive cloudburst pelted the accident site with rains that one witness classified as “biblical.”

Scaffolding accidents in New York City are far more common than one might think but such wall collapses are rare. Generally scaffolding accidents involve construction workers falling from heights or tools, construction materials, and other objects falling onto those underneath. These types of temporary facades are erected to protect pedestrians and business patrons while construction is underway. Such individuals are often unaware of the risk and aren’t prepared with safety equipment (hard hats and other protective gear) like workers are.

A stop work order was immediately put into effect until Department of Building officials could inspect the jobsite for safety deficiencies that may have contributed to this unexpected construction accident. A representative of Einstein Construction Group, the contractor in charge of the renovation, said the company was not responsible for injuries suffered during the wall collapse because their company was hired to work on the interior of the structure not the exterior.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a similar wall or scaffolding collapse in NYC, contact a New York personal injury attorney with experience in construction-related lawsuits immediately to avoid losing your right to compensation. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.

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