A man was killed in a construction accident in Newark after he was reportedly injured in an elevator shaft the morning of May 11, NJ.com reported. Officials said the worker was injured while inside the construction site’s elevator shaft. He was pronounced dead the morning of his injury. The incident still remains investigation and details regarding how the construction accident occurred are unavailable yet. The construction site is a 12-story, 123,500-square-foot former children’s hospital being redeveloped into apartments by a local developer, NJ.com reports. We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased construction worker. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Dangers Posed by Elevator Shafts in Construction Sites
Elevator shafts pose significant dangers to construction workers, particularly during the early stages of building development when safety systems may not yet be fully installed. One of the most critical hazards is the risk of falls, which are among the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. Open shafts can extend multiple stories without barriers or proper signage, creating a deadly hazard for anyone working nearby. Even a brief moment of inattention or inadequate lighting can lead to a catastrophic fall.
Another danger is the risk of being struck by falling tools or materials from above. If proper protective measures, such as debris nets or toe boards, are not in place, workers inside or around the shaft are vulnerable to serious injury. Additionally, working in or near elevator shafts often involves electrical and mechanical systems, increasing the risk of electrical shock, burns, or entanglement in moving parts if proper lockout/tagout procedures are not followed.
Limited space within the shaft can also make it difficult for workers to maneuver, increasing the risk of being caught in tight areas or suffering musculoskeletal injuries. In emergencies, such confined areas can complicate rescue efforts, leading to delayed medical attention.
Adhering to regulations set forth by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and site-specific safety protocols can help mitigate these types of risks. These regulations and protocols include installing guardrails, using fall protection systems, clearly marking danger zones and conducting regular safety inspections. Proper training, supervision and communication can help reduce the risks associated with elevator shaft work in construction.
Injuries and Compensation
Injured workers in New York City may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of who was at fault for the construction accident. Workers’ compensation provides medical treatment, some wage replacement, and other benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. If a worker is injured in a construction accident, they can file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s insurance carrier.
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 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://www.nj.com/essex/2025/05/worker-dies-in-elevator-shaft-at-nj-construction-site-police-say.htm