A 30-year-old construction worker was killed and another person was critically
injured when a freight elevator collapsed and fell several stories in the Bronx. According to a WABC news report, the incident occurred at a construction site the morning of May 19. Emergency crews were called to the site on Bruckner Boulevard after the elevator dropped to the first floor.
The two men were loading material into the freight elevator on the top floor when it collapsed. Both workers were found unconscious and unresponsive inside. The 30-year-old worker was pronounced dead at the scene while the other, 29, was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Co-workers said the individual who died was a supervisor. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family members of the deceased worker. We wish the injured worker the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Ongoing Investigation
The site is a four-story mixed occupancy building that is under construction. Inspectors with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) are investigating this fatal construction accident. Work was being done on the elevator involved at the time, but, it is not clear what caused it to fall. The DOB said in a statement that they are looking into what caused this tragic construction site accident and that if safety rules were ignored, the negligent (careless) parties will be held accountable.
The department is conducting a thorough investigation along with the Construction Safety and Elevator Enforcement units as well as law enforcement, the statement said. The workers had permits for elevator work and the existing building has several active construction permits including for interior renovation, exterior work, vertical enlargement and change of use. The DOB has issued a Full Stop-Work Order for the site while the investigation is ongoing. WABC reports that another worker died in 2019 after a fall at the same building.
Causes of Elevator Accidents
When an elevator accident occurs, the New York City Department of Buildings investigates the incident. All property owners and/or property managers have a responsibility to ensure that the elevators in their buildings are working properly. Property owners and managers also have a responsibility to ensure that their elevators are repaired and maintained routinely by qualified, certified professionals.
There are number of reasons why elevator accidents occur including mis-leveling and excessive elevator speed. Malfunctioning or defective parts may also cause or contribute to elevator accidents. Elevator malfunctions can cause workers or passengers to fall through shafts or lead to crushing injuries that can prove fatal. Victims of such accidents tend to suffer devastating injuries that may prevent them from returning to work or even earning a livelihood in the future.
There are a number of parties that may be held liable in an elevator accident. When the accident and injuries occur due to lack of elevator maintenance, the property owner and manager may be held liable for the damages caused. If improper or nonexistent maintenance caused or contributed to an elevator malfunction and an accident, the company that performed the repairs and/or maintenance may also be held liable.
If a worker was injured due to a malfunctioning elevator, he may seek workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses and a portion of his lost income. An experienced New York City elevator accident lawyer can evaluate each case and the circumstances and help injured victims or families of deceased victims pursue fair compensation for their losses.
Injured victims of elevator accidents can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. In some of these cases, workers or families of deceased workers may be able to file a third-party claim for substantial money damages seeking compensation for injuries and damages. Such claims are filed against parties other than the employers or co-workers including, but not limited to, general contractors, sub-contractors, building owners, etc.
If You Have Been Injured on the Job
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job – one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Our law firm also recovered $3,000,000 for a man who fell and suffered two broken legs when he walked into an open elevator shaft. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://abc7ny.com/bronx-elevator-accident-leaves-1-dead/10661505/