James Weiss Saddle Brook: James Weiss of Saddle Brook Injured In Franklin Lakes Construction Accident After Being Hit By Falling Sheet Metal at Altona Metal Works of Little Ferry
FRANKLIN LAKES, NEW YORK (February 11, 2020) – A retired Newark deputy fire chief identified as James Weiss was seriously injured in an accident after being hit by a large piece of sheet metal.
New York State Police are saying that the accident took place around 8:40 a.m. For reasons that remain under investigation James Weiss was hit by the piece of sheet metal while working at Altona Metal Works of Little Ferry.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim. James Weiss was unconscious when paramedics arrived.
He was transported to the hospital in AirMed One. A full investigation into the cause of the construction accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Franklin Lakes Construction Accidents
Falling objects are one of the leading causes of workplace injury in New Jersey. According to the Safety and Health Magazine, “Fifty-two percent of the fatalities involved workers struck by an object or equipment; the remaining deaths involved workers struck by vehicles, the report states.” The vast majority of these accidents are completely preventable. There are many steps that companies should take in order to prevent workers from being hit by objects:
- Workers should be given hard hats
- Loose objects should be properly secured
- Scaffolds should not have loose items that could hit workers
- Companies must properly enforce safety rules
Victims of construction accidents are protected by a number of laws. For example, they will typically be eligible to receive support from the workers’ compensation system. Workers compensation in New Jersey is a no-fault system. It can help with medical bills and lost wages. But what many victims may not realize is that they may also be able to secure support from a third party liability claim.
A third party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a workers employer was responsible for an accident. Building owners and general contractors have a responsibility to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe manner to protect workers. A disproportionate number of accidents are caused by safety violations. Victims of workplace accidents tend to receive very serious and costly injuries including:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- PTSD
Any person that is injured while at work may be eligible to get help through a personal injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills, future medical bills and pain and suffering. It’s important that evidence is properly preserved and collected after an accident. A workplace accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case free of cost and get to the bottom of what may have caused an accident. There are, however, very strict statute of limitations associated with civil claim. Failing to act quickly may result in a permanent forfeiture of your rights.
Investigating A Franklin Lakes Workplace Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to James Weiss and his family as he continues to recover. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to OSHA investigators as they continue to determine what happened. It is our sincere hope that measures are put in place to help prevent additional accidents like this. Companies should always be steadfastly committed to the health and safety of their workers.
