Richard Brewer Albany: Construction Worker Richard Brewer of Mohawk Killed In Albany Scaffold Accident After Falling Six Stories at 760 Broadway
ALBANY, NEW YORK (February 16, 2020) – A 19-year-old construction worker identified as Richard Brewer has tragically died after falling six stories off of a scaffold at 760 Broadway.
New York police department officials are saying that the construction accident took place around 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday. For reasons that remain under investigation Richard Brewer fell nearly six stories from the scaffold.
Paramedics were rushed to the scene in order to help the victim. Richard Brewer was taken to the Albany Medical Center in critical condition. Despite life-saving measures he later died due to his injuries.
An investigation remains ongoing at this time. The location where the scaffold accident took place is a 100 unit apartment complex.
Liability In Albany Scaffold Accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death in New York. It is one of the “fatal four” types of accidents that account for nearly 60% of all fatal construction accidents. Over 2.3 million construction workers must use scaffolds every year. For the most part accidents involving scaffolds are completely preventable. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the accident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object. All of these accidents can be controlled by compliance with OSHA standards.” There are a number of measures that companies can put in place to help prevent scaffold accidents including:
- Workers should be given adequate training for best practices when performing jobs on scaffolds.
- Companies should plan every step of the project and what will be done on the scaffold.
- Workers should be given personal fall arrests systems (PFAS).
- Scaffolds should be inspected by a competent person.
- Scaffolds should have adequate guardrails.
Building owners and general contractors must take reasonable measures to protect workers from fall accidents. In fact, building owners and general contractors are held strictly liable for accidents involving scaffold falls. Under New York Labor Law 240(1) the “scaffold law” employers are fully liable for gravity related accidents while workers are at elevated heights without proper safety equipment. It’s important that evidence is properly collected and preserved after an accident.
The family of any victim that died in a scaffold accident may be able to seek justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses and loss of love. Potential beneficiaries in a civil claim may include the victim’s spouse, parents, siblings and children. 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 An Albany Scaffold Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our deepest condolences to the family of Richard Brewer. 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 prevent additional accidents like this. Companies should always prioritize the safety of their workers.
