Two construction workers were seriously injured after a scaffolding collapse outside a building in Brooklyn the afternoon of March 19. According to a report in Gothamist.com, fire officials responded to the call when a suspended scaffolding platform with the two workers just above the fourth-floor level of a building at 148 Stuyvesant Avenue in Bed-Stuy collapsed.
First responders transported the workers to a local hospital where officials said they were being treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries. Fire officials said the workers were pinned underneath parts of the scaffolding for nearly 15 minutes before they were extricated. Firefighters had to lift up the debris and pull the workers out on boards and bring them down stairs to the ambulance, officials said. No pedestrians on the street were injured. The collapse was contained to the upper floors, fire officials said. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured workers and their families.
Ongoing Investigation
An investigation into what caused this construction accident is ongoing. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) was also at the scene. Inspectors found that a 20-foot piece of the building’s parapet collapsed and struck the two workers on the scaffold. Officials said sections of the scaffold were structurally compromised and will require emergency repairs.
A complaint involving site conditions endangering construction workers was filed for the address with the Department of Buildings the same day. The complaint said the matter was being referred to the department’s construction safety enforcement. CBS reports that on Feb. 7, a complaint with the DOB was filed stating that the construction work inside the building was being done without a permit and proper licensing.
New York’s Scaffolding Law
Many construction workers in New York City such as ironworkers, steelworkers, laborers, carpenters, masons, bricklayers, painters, window washers, and electricians etc. carry out their tasks while on scaffolds, ladders, platforms, etc. New York’s Scaffolding Law, also known as Labor Law Section 240 or the “Scaffold Law,” imposes strict liability on property owners and general contractors for certain injuries sustained by workers in elevation-related accidents, such as falls from heights or scaffolding collapses. Enacted in the 19th century, the law prioritizes worker safety by holding property owners, property managers, and contractors responsible for providing proper safety equipment and ensuring a safe working environment.
This law also places the responsibility on these parties to ensure that adequate safety measures, such as harnesses, guardrails, and proper scaffolding, are in place to prevent falls or injuries. Under the law the property owners, property managers and contractors can be held liable for the victim’s (worker) injuries. The Scaffolding Law aims to protect construction workers by ensuring they have legal recourse to seek compensation for injuries sustained while working at elevated heights.
Scaffolding Collapse Injuries
The injuries sustained from a scaffolding collapse can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the collapse, the height of the fall, and the protective measures in place. Some common injuries resulting from scaffolding collapses include:
- Fractures or broken bones: Falling from scaffolding or being crushed by debris can result in fractures or breaks to the arms, legs, hips, spine, or skull.
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can occur if a worker’s head strikes an object during the fall or upon landing.
- Spinal cord injuries: Falls from scaffolding can lead to severe spinal cord injuries, which can result in paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
- Internal organ damage: The force of impact from a fall can cause internal injuries to organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen, or kidneys.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are common in scaffolding collapses, particularly to the back, neck, and shoulders.
- Lacerations and abrasions: Workers may suffer cuts, scrapes, and bruises from contact with scaffolding components or debris during a collapse.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a 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 and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 52 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.
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Source: https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-scaffolding-collapse-leaves-2-with-serious-injuries-fdny-says