Settlement Reached in Fatal Manhattan Construction Accident

The families of six construction workers killed on a Manhattan construction site nearly four years ago have reached a settlement in their case. According to New York Daily News, the six men died in a March 2008 crane accident. A tourist was also killed. The men were using a crane to lift a six-ton steel collar. A strap supporting the load snapped and the steel fell, pulling down the crane. This crane accident also injured 24 people. The details of the settlement have not been disclosed pursuant to a court order.
According to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, there are close to 80 crane-related fatalities a year nationwide. A crane dropping an item was the most common reason for an injury or death. Workers being caught in a crane, falling from a crane, or suffering an electric shock while on a crane were other causes of injury.
Construction workers operating a crane must be well-trained and knowledgeable about all the required safety standards related to the use of this type of equipment and as specified by the United States Department of Labor Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA). If an accident occurs due to negligence or  because the crane operator made an error in judgment, that worker and his employer may be liable for any injuries or property damages caused.
Even when criminal charges are not filed, those injured in the accident may be able to pursue their case in civil court. The company overseeing the construction project might also be held responsible. A worker injured in a crane accident where there was a failure to adhere to safety standards or had involved faulty equipment may be able to seek compensation from the construction company and possibly, the manufacturer of the defective product.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York construction accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) for a free and comprehensive consultation. 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 phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
www.work4youlaw.com
Source: New York Daily News