Three Construction Workers Injured In Brooklyn Trench Collapse Accident Along East 14th Street in Sheepshead Bay
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (April 4, 2020) – Three construction workers were injured in a trench collapse accident along East 14th Street and Sheepshead Bay.
New York Police Department officials are saying that the accident took place around noon. For reasons that remain under investigation the construction workers were doing excavation work when the trench collapsed.
Firefighters rushed to the scene in order to help the workers. One person was buried up to his chest in cinder blocks.
That worker was taken to the Maimonides Medical Center with critical injuries. An investigation into the cause of the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Brooklyn Trench Collapse Accidents
The construction industry remains very hazardous for workers despite advances in safety. 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.” There a number of reasons that trench collapse accidents occur including:
- Uneven soil
- Lack of safety standards
- Excess weight above trench
- Unsupported trench walls
Construction workers tend to suffer very costly and serious injuries. Any person that is injured in a construction accident will typically have legal recourse through the worker’s compensation system. In addition to worker’s compensation a worker may also be able to pursue justice through a third party liability claim. A third party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a workers employer caused an accident. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal rights are.
Investigating A Brooklyn Trench Collapse Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our thoughts and prayers to all of the victims of this trench collapse. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to police as they continue their investigation. Worker safety should always be the top priority of every company. Trench collapses are largely preventable when the right safety protocols are being followed.
