New Rochelle Electrocution Accident: Construction Worker Killed In New Rochelle Cherry Picker Accident After It Struck Electrical Lines At 164 Union Avenue
NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK (February 12, 20202) – A construction worker has tragically died after the boom lift he was in struck electrical wires at 164 Union Avenue.
New York police department officials are saying that the accident took place on Wednesday. For reasons that remain under investigation the cherry picker hit power lines and electrocuted the lift causing the man to fall.
Paramedics rushed to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures the victim later died due to their injuries.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In New Rochelle Electrocution Accidents
Electrocutions are one of the four leading causes of workplace injury and death. According to OSHA,” The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between. These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (58.6%) the construction worker deaths in 2018, BLS reports. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 591 workers’ lives in America every year.” In all electrocutions account for 8.5% of worker deaths. There are a number of measures that companies should take in order to prevent electrocution accidents:
- Workers should receive adequate training on the dangers of electrical lines
- Boom lifts should not be used near power lines
- Potential electrical hazards should be covered by ground-fault protection
When a worker is killed in New York their family will typically have recourse through the worker’s compensation system. The workers comp system is a no fault system designed to help workers and their families if they are injured or killed on the job. It can help with:
- Disability benefits
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses
What many workers and their families may not realize is that the worker’s compensation system may not be their only resource after an accident. Depending on the facts of any case the family of deceased worker may be able to seek justice through a third party liability claim. A third party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer was responsible for an accident. There are a number of potential sources of third party liability in electrocution accidents.
For example, the manufacturer of a cherry picker may face civil liability if a worker is electrocuted. Cherry pickers are supposed to have safety devices on them that detect electrical fields. When a boom truck comes into close proximity with a power line the lift is supposed to shut down and stop moving forward. The technology to prevent these types of accidents is several decades old. It’s important that evidence is properly maintained after an accident. An electrocution accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A New Rochelle Cherry Picker Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our deepest condolences to the family of the worker that died 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 cherry picker safer for the sake of all workers that have to use it.
