Manhattan Construction Workers Injured In Harlem Wall Collapse Accident At Church Near Madison Avenue and East 126th Street
HARLEM, NEW YORK (March 13, 2020) – Two construction workers were injured in a wall collapse accident that pulled down scaffolding at a church near the intersection of Madison Avenue and East 126th Street.
New York Police Department officials are saying that the collision occurred around 2:30 p.m. Both construction workers were about 30 feet off the ground when a brick wall collapsed onto scaffolding causing them to fall.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the two construction workers .One suffered a broken leg and another sustained a back injury.
Both victims were taken to the Harlem Hospital in order to receive treatment. The Department of Buildings is currently investigating the accident at this time.
Liability In Harlem Wall Collapse Accidents
Wall collapses cause many serious injuries and deaths every year. They tend to happen suddenly and catch people off guard. According to Factly, “Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates that a total of 38,363 people lost their lives due to collapse of various structures between 2001 and 2015. Most people lost their lives because of the collapse of residential houses.” There are a number of factors that influence the occurrence of a wall collapse including:
- Improper building materials
- Faulty engineering
- Improper demolition
- Overloaded structures
Building owners and general contractors have a legal responsibility to take measures in order to help keep workers safe. They are held strictly liable for “gravity” related accidents under New York Labor Law 240(1) the “Scaffold Law.” The law covers incidents where a worker falls from heights or who is hit by a falling object. It’s important that evidence is properly collected after an accident. Victims of wall collapses tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Organ damage
- PTSD
Victims of construction accidents may be able to seek justice through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Many accident victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries until several weeks or months after an accident. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Harlem Construction Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to the workers that were injured in this accident. The DOB should conduct a thorough investigation for the sake of all affected. Companies must prioritize worker safety. But far too often this does not happen. There needs to be measures put in place to help curb the rate of similar accidents.
