Construction Worker Injured In Manhattan Accident After Falling Down Shaft Above Grand Central In Midtown
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (December 29, 2019) – A subcontractor for Tutor Perini was injured in a construction accident after falling down a shaft six stories above Grand Central.
New York Police Department officials are saying that the worker was walking up stairs toward the end of his shift. The construction worker suffered what appears to have been cardiac arrest and fell down the shaft.
Fire Department officials went down the shaft in order to rescue the worker. He was transported to the Bellevue Hospital.
An investigation into the fall remains ongoing at this point.
Liability In Manhattan Construction Accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. According to OSHA, “Each year, falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry. A number of factors are often involved in falls, including unstable working surfaces, misuse or failure to use fall protection equipment and human error. Studies have shown that using guardrails, fall arrest systems, safety nets, covers and restraint systems can prevent many deaths and injuries from falls.” There are a number of solutions in order to help prevent fall accidents. General contractors should:
- Consider using aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer elevated working surfaces;
- Erect guardrail systems with toeboards and warning lines or install control line systems to protect workers near the edges of floors and roofs;
- Cover floor holes; and/or
- Use safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems (body harnesses).
General contractors are held strictly liable for fall accidents under New York Labor Law 240(1). According to the statute general contractors must take measures to prevent workers from being injured in falls. This includes instances where the worker is struck by a falling object or falls from an elevated surface. Victims of fall accidents tend to suffer from serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- PTSD
Many accident victims don’t realize the full extent of their injuries until several weeks or months after an incident. Any construction worker that is injured after falling down a shaft may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help with lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Manhattan Construction Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to the construction worker injured in this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to OSHA as they continue their investigation. It is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to make this work site safer. Profits and efficiency should never come at the expense of worker safety.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a construction accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We are committed to making sure that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have questions about the law or need a free investigation into an accident we are here for you. You’re always welcome to reach out to us anytime at 212-471-5106.
