Brooklyn Scaffold Collapse Accident Injured Three Construction Workers At 535 Grand Street In Williamsburg
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (February 27, 2020) – Three construction workers were injured in a scaffold collapse accident at 535 Grand Street in Williamsburg.
New York Police Department officials are saying that the construction accident occurred around 2:36 p.m. The workers were adjusting and dismantling the scaffold when it suddenly collapsed on top of them.
A spokesperson for the Department of Buildings is saying that the construction project was converting a three story apartment complex into a six story unit.
An ambulance was called to the scene and took the three workers to the hospital. There was a partial stop work order at the site this past November.
Many residents have also issued complaints about the scaffolding. Windy conditions may have contributed to the scaffold collapse.
Liability In Brooklyn Scaffold Collapse Accidents
Falls and accidents involving falling objects are among the leading causes of injury and death in the construction industry. According to OSHA, “Out of 4,779 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2018, 1,008 or 21.1% were in construction — that is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. 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 measures that construction companies should take to protect workers from scaffold accidents:
- Scaffolds should be properly constructed
- A competent person should inspect scaffolds
- Workers should be given hard hats
- Scaffolds should not be worked on in windy conditions
General contractors and building owners are held strictly liable for accidents involving scaffolds. New York Labor Law 240(1) – the “scaffold law” – protects workers in the event they are injured in gravity related accidents. This includes accidents where a worker is injured from a fall or is struck by falling objects. The law, however, does not apply to falls that occur at single family homes. Victims of scaffold accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- PTSD
Any person that is injured in a scaffold collapse may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. It’s important that workers continue to seek follow up care 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.
Getting Help After a Brooklyn Scaffold Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to the workers injured in this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to police as they continue their investigation. It is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to help prevent additional accidents like this. Companies need to be doing everything in their power to help keep workers safe. The vast majority of scaffold accidents can be prevented when all OSHA safety regulations are being followed.
