Angela Cedeno Manhattan: Angela Cedeno Injured In Manhattan Accident After Falling Through Sidewalk Hole At Construction Site By West 35th Street and Eighth Avenue
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (November 12, 2019) – A woman identified as Angela Cedeno was injured after falling 5 feet through a hole in the sidewalk at a Midtown construction project by West 35th Street and Eighth Avenue.
Manhattan police are saying that Angela Cedeno was walking across a sidewalk over a thick piece of plywood. The plywood gave way and sent her tumbling five feet into a puddle of mud.
Paramedics and firefighters rushed to the scene and were able to extricate her from the hole. She was rushed to the Bellevue Hospital in order to receive treatment.
Angela Cedeno was unable to work after the accident and is in a lot of pain. According to the victim, “Now I’m in pain, everything is very different for me, very different.”
The construction project was being run by NYC Water Works who were contracted by the property owner. The company has since placed a metal plate over the sinkhole as an investigation into the accident that injured Angela Cedeno remains ongoing.
Liability In Manhattan Sinkhole Accidents
According to data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there have been at least 14 incidents involving construction workers injured in an accident involving a manhole since 2005. These types of accidents are largely preventable. Companies must take adequate measures to cover manholes to prevent workers or pedestrians from falling through. This includes covering the hole and putting up signs and blockades to warn people of the danger from falling. Victims that fall through manholes are often left with very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Sprained ankles or wrists
- Knee damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Joint dislocations
- Post traumatic stress disorder
Construction companies and property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe manner to prevent accidents. According to New York State Bar, “the landowner owes a duty of care, regardless of the “status” of the injured person, to maintain their property in a safe condition. Whether there is a duty involves “the reasonable expectations of the parties and society generally. The scope of any such duty of care varies with the foreseeability of the possible harm” (Tagle v. Jakob, 97 N.Y.2d 165, 168). Construction companies that fail to properly cover up manholes may face civil liability in the event a pedestrian falls through.
Any person that falls through a manhole by a construction site may be able to recover damages through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Generally speaking, construction companies are required to carry at least $1,000,000 worth of liability coverage per occurrence and aggregate coverage of $2,000,000. A Manhattan premises liability attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Getting Help After A Manhole Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to Angela Cedeno as she continues to recover. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to the Department of Buildings as they continue their investigation. This was a preventable accident that should not have taken place. It is our sincere hope that safety measures will be put in place to help prevent additional accidents like this in the future.
If you or someone that you love has been injured after falling through a manhole you may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We are committed to making sure that accidents victims are aware of their rights and that construction companies are held accountable for their actions. 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.
