A 45-year-old man was killed in a Manhattan construction accident the morning of Dec. 13 when the cherry picker he was riding in collided with a steel beam, officials said. According to a report in The New York Daily News, another worker in the aerial lift vehicle, a 35-year-old man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The incident occurred a little after 9:15 a.m. on East 35th Street near Park Ave. in Murray Hill.
Police said the two workers were in a cherry picker when it struck a beam causing the older worker to hit his head. A report published in June said permits had been filed for an 18-story mixed-use building at the site and workers were currently doing demolition work at the site. A complaint filed by the New York City Department of Buildings last month stated that the building was shaking and the site was unsafe with falling debris. However, the Daily News reports that the safety issue was later resolved, according to the DOB’s records. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased worker and wish the injured worker the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Head Injury Risk During Demolition Work
Head injuries are among the most serious risks in demolition work at construction sites due to the nature of the job, which involves handling heavy machinery, falling debris, and structural instability. These injuries can range from concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and they often result from inadequate safety measures at a worksite.
Here are some of the common causes of head injuries during demolition work:
- Falling debris: Structural materials like concrete, steel or wood can fall during demolition, striking workers below.
- Collapsing structures: Improper planning or misjudgment of load-bearing elements can cause parts of buildings to collapse unpredictably.
- Tool-related accidents: Improper use or failure of heavy equipment, such as wrecking balls or excavators, can lead to head injuries.
- Slips, trips and falls: Uneven surfaces and scattered debris increase the risk of falls that can lead to head trauma.
Construction companies bear significant responsibility and liability during demolition work and must ensure the safety of workers, the public and surrounding properties. They are obligated to comply with local, state and federal safety regulations, such as those set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and must conduct thorough risk assessments before beginning demolition. This includes identifying structural hazards, creating safety plans and implementing protective measures, such as securing the site, providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and training workers.
Compensation for Injured Workers
An injured worker in New York City may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the accident. Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment, some wage replacement, and other benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. In addition, workers may also be able to file a third-party claim against a negligent (careless) party other than the employer or co-employees for significant monetary damages and thus have two sources of compensation available for their losses.
Examples of third parties include, but are not limited to, general contractors, construction companies, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents etc. In cases where a worker dies from injuries suffered on the job, surviving family members may seek death benefits through workers’ compensation and/or file a wrongful death claim against a third party who may be held liable for the fatal incident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
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. For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. 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. 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, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously 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://www.nydailynews.com/2024/12/13/construction-worker-killed-in-manhattan-building-collapse/