Sands Point Construction Accident: Worker Injured In Long Island Construction Accident After Falling Into Deep Hole By Longwood Road
SANDS POINT, NEW YORK (February 9, 2020) – A worker was injured after falling into a deep hole at a Long Island construction site.
New York police officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:00 a.m. along Longwood Road. For reasons that remain under investigation the worker was crossing a board placed over a large hole.
The dirt walls around the hole caved in sending the worker falling around 14 feet. Paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was placed on a stretcher and had to be airlifted to a local hospital. According to the former Port Washington Fire Chief the victim sustained serious injuries and numerous fractures.
Liability In Sands Point Construction Accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “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.” There are a number of steps that construction companies can take to prevent falls including:
- Providing workers with the right equipment
- Providing worker with the right training
- Keeping construction sites in a safe and orderly manner
Building owners and general contractors have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe manner. General contractors are held strictly liable for gravity related injuries under New York Labor Law 240(1). This law offers protection to workers who are injured from falls. General contractors have a legal responsibility to properly secure holes. Many accidents happen when inadequate covers are placed over temporary holes. Victims of fall accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head-trauma
- Lacerations
- PTSD
Any worker that is injured in a fall related accident may have the ability to recover damages through a bodily injury claim. Damage in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. It’s important to continued to seek follow up care after an accident. Many victims will often 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 free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Sands Point Construction Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to the victim of this tragic accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to OSHA as they continue their investigation. As personal injury attorneys and worker’s rights advocates we sincerely hope that measures are put in place to help prevent additional incidents like this. The vast majority of fall accidents are completely preventable.
