Officials are continuing to investigate a construction accident on the Upper East Side that had bricks and concrete falling 35 stories from the façade of a high-rise building onto the sidewalks and streets below. According to an NBC New York news report, officials said it appeared to be some type of accident relating to “repointing,” which involves renewing the external part of mortar joints in masonry construction. This caused the façade of the building on East 64th Street to crumble. No injuries were reported.
Witnesses Scared by Incident
The New York City Department of Buildings’ regulations state that structures that are higher than six stories must have their exterior walls inspected once every five years. The repointing work being done at the site was to make the recommended fixes as the result of an inspection officials said. Inspectors with the Department of Buildings are now in the process of looking into whether the repairs were being done properly. Building inspectors were at the site after a complaint was filed regarding a hazardous condition.
A number of witnesses said they were “shaken” by the incident. One man said it was as if there was an “incredible hailstorm.” He said he saw huge chunks of debris headed straight down at him and heard loud noises. Another woman said the incidents sounded like “fireworks and gunshots.” A woman who was walking her dog said she couldn’t believe no one was killed in the incident.
Danger of Debris
The danger of falling debris from building facades has become an important issue again after the recent death of a 2-year-old girl who was fatally struck by falling bricks at an Upper West Side location. The girl and her grandmother were sitting on a sidewalk bench May 17 when both were hit by bricks falling from The Esplanade, an upscale seniors home on West End Avenue. The girl succumbed to her injuries while the grandmother suffered serious leg injuries.
According to city records between 2008 and 2014, there were 96 construction accidents involving pedestrians and other passersby in New York City, resulting in 155 injuries. More than three-quarters of the accidents took place in Manhattan. In 2014, 18 construction accidents involving bystanders were reported, the most of any year since 2008, when the city began providing accident details. The numbers show that 22 people were hurt, the third-highest annual total on record. Construction experts say that lax or inexperienced contractors or poorly trained workers too often make mistakes that may lead to these types of tragic accidents.
When passersby are hit by debris from a construction site, the consequences can be devastating. Individuals may suffer serious or even catastrophic injuries such as head trauma, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, etc. As we’ve seen in some cases, these types of accidents may even result in deaths.
Responsibility of Construction Companies
Construction companies and contractors have a duty to ensure that worksites are safe not only for workers but also for passersby. They are required to conduct frequent inspections of the worksite, ensure that appropriate safety features are installed to protect and safeguard workers and passersby, and make sure that workers are properly supervised at all times so hazardous situations don’t arise during the course of the work.
Whenever any work is being done on facades, it is crucial that netting or other safety features are put in place to avoid dangers for pedestrians and passersby. When an injury occurs due to the negligence of a construction company or contractor, these entities can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses caused to victims.
Injured victims can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages as well.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction or pedestrian 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. 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 cases in 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: NBC New York