Robert Bornt, a highway maintenance supervisor with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) died from injuries that he suffered after being hit by a motorist on Route 7 in Pittstown. According to a report on Spectrum News, the driver hit the worker the afternoon of May 29 near the intersection of Campbell Lane.
Ongoing Investigation
The victim was airlifted to a regional medical center after suffering catastrophic injuries, officials said. The Department of Transportation said the incident involved a “work zone intrusion.” The driver involved in the accident remained at the scene and officials are investigating what caused him to crash into the worker. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of Robert Bornt for their tragic loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said this crash underscores the importance of slowing down and paying attention in highway work zones. Just last month, the NYSDOT put out a message to motorists about roadway safety and how drivers need to be paying attention to the road. The message said: “Get off the phone. Forget about the radio dial for 2 seconds. Eat your lunch at the table, not the driver’s seat and make sure you get home okay, and the people in these work zones get home. Okay?”
Dangers Faced by Workers on Highways
Department of Transportation (DOT) workers in New York face significant dangers while working on highways, primarily due to reckless and dangerous drivers. These workers often operate in high-speed traffic zones where inattentive or impaired drivers pose a constant threat. Despite warning signs, cones and flashing lights, many motorists fail to slow down or move over, increasing the risk of collisions. Speeding, distracted driving — especially texting — and driving under the influence are among the leading causes of accidents involving highway workers.
DOT employees are vulnerable while performing tasks like repairing roads, inspecting bridges or clearing debris. Even with protective barriers, the sudden approach of a fast-moving vehicle can leave little time to react. Night shifts and poor visibility further compound the risks. Tragically, these dangers sometimes lead to serious injuries or fatalities.
To protect DOT workers, New York has implemented “Move Over” laws, requiring drivers to switch lanes or reduce speed near work zones. However, enforcement remains a challenge and compliance is inconsistent. Public awareness campaigns aim to remind drivers that behind every safety vest is a life at risk.
Compensation for Injured Workers
An injured worker in New York City is 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 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 struck-by accident or any type of 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. 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. 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, 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://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/public-safety/2024/11/04/nysp–thruway-authority-maintenance-worker-hit-and-killed-on-i-90