Thousands of NYC Sidewalk Sheds Pose Dangers to Pedestrians

 If it seems to you that recently many of New York City’s streets are covered with unsightly and dangerous sidewalk sheds, you may not be alone. An investigative report by AM-NY states that nearly 7,300 buildings in the city have a total of 7,708 permits for sidewalk sheds as of Aug. 31. In many cases, these wood-and-steel structures are crowded around the same block, according to data from the New York City Department of Buildings.

Sidewalk sheds are structures constructed over street sidewalks to protect pedestrians from falling objects from buildings or construction sites. These sheds are mandatory for the construction of new high rises and during any repair activity that is being done on older buildings. Although these sheds and structures have a primary role to safeguard pedestrians, many of them are so poorly constructed that they often turn into hazards and death traps for passersby.
Issues With Sidewalk Sheds
With construction booming in the city, sidewalk sheds have proliferated over the last few years. City officials and state legislators have made attempts to mitigate the negative effects of these sidewalk sheds. One proposed state legislation would mandate construction companies to demonstrate that they have done at least 10 days work for 12 straight months to get their shed permit renewed. Manhattan has had the most sidewalk sheds of all the boroughs.
Under city guidelines, the sheds must be at least 8 feet tall and cannot be placed closer than 18 inches from the curb. They are required to be lit with bulbs at least 45 lumens per watt at all times of the day. But, not all construction companies follow these guidelines. As a result dark sheds pose slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall hazards. Poorly assembled or poorly constructed sheds may have loose parts that can fall and injure passing pedestrians. Some sheds are not even properly covered, leaving open spaces through which objects or construction debris or other equipment may still fall and seriously hurt pedestrians.
Some of the serious injuries pedestrians may suffer in these types of accidents include, but are not limited to, head injuries, neck and back injuries, broken bones, internal organ damage, severe lacerations, amputations, electrical injuries, etc. Most of these injuries require lengthy hospitalization, rehabilitation and care. Victims or families may end up paying for the cost of treatment and care out of pocket. It is important that victims of sidewalk shed accidents promptly contact an experienced lawyer who can guide them through a complex claim and/or litigation process and help them secure maximum compensation for all their injuries, damages and losses.
Serious Injury Accidents
There have been several instances in New York City’s recent past where individuals have been seriously injured due to dangerous sidewalk sheds. According to a new Huffington Post article, in May 2012, a man who was walking under a sidewalk shed was struck by debris. The victim’s injuries required eight stitches on his head. A few months later, in Brooklyn, a 4-year-old girl was seriously injured after she touched a sidewalk shed carrying live electrical voltage. The girl suffered injuries including chest pain, but also had difficulty breathing. Her family has filed a lawsuit against the construction company seeking damages.
Since the beginning of 2011, at least 29 pedestrians and 10 construction workers have been injured as a result of accidents involving sidewalk sheds in New York City. So far, no deaths have been reported. But, victims here have suffered serious injuries from concussions to electric shock. Shed collapses have occurred during construction or removal of the shed, as the result of falling construction debris or from high winds.
Liability Issues
As we have seen, serious or even catastrophic injuries can occur due to dangerous sidewalk sheds. Construction companies and/or contractors who build these sidewalk sheds must construct them according to code and keep public safety in mind during its use. When a dangerous or defective sidewalk shed causes injuries, those involved in manufacturing and/or installing them can be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses that result.
Injured victims in such cases 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. The family of a deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation as well.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous or defective sidewalk shed, 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 43 years, our skilled accident attorneys have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
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: AM-NY