Construction Worker Killed In Wallkill Roof Fall Accident After Falling Through Skylight At Building On Route 302
TOWN OF WALLKILL, NEW YORK (December 19, 2019) – A construction worker has tragically died after falling through the skylight of a building while repairing at 2618 Route 302.
New York Sate Police are saying that the accident took place around 7:40 a.m. For reasons that remain under investigation the roof worker fell through the skylight and onto the floor.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures the construction worker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The building where the roof fall accident took place had recently been purchased and was under construction. This is the second fatal roof fall accident in the past month in Wallkill.
On November 26th another worker fell from the roof of Rotolo & Son Electric and died due to his injuries. Similar types of roofing materials were being used at both construction sites.
OSHA is continuing their investigation at this time.
Liability In Wallkill Roof Fall Accidents
Falls remain one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death in the State of New York. According to the Safety and Health Magazine, “Fatal injuries in the construction industry increased statewide to 71 in 2016 from 50 in 2014, although construction worker deaths in New York City declined to 21 from 28, respectively. The leading cause of death was falls, which accounted for 48 percent of the state’s construction worker deaths from 2007 to 2016.” For the most part these types of accidents are completely preventable. What follows are proposed solutions by OSHA to prevent fall accidents:
- Consider using aerial lifts or elevated platforms to provide safer elevated working surfaces;
- Erect guardrail systems with toeboards and warning lines or install control line systems to protect workers near the edges of floors and roofs;
- Cover floor holes; and/or
- Use safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems (body harnesses).
Construction companies must take measures to prevent workers from being injured while on the job. Building owners and general contractors are held strictly liable under New York Labor Law 240(1) if a worker falls. The statute covers gravity related injuries – whether a worker falls from a roof or is hit by a falling object. As long as the worker was doing some type of repair on a qualifying “structure” workers will generally be covered by the law.
The family of any victim that dies after falling from a roof may have legal recourse 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 include the victim’s spouse, children, parents and siblings. 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 A Wallkill Roof Fall Accident
We at Pulvers, Pulvers & Thompson extend our deepest condolences to the family of the worker that died in this accident. Any person that may have seen what happened should reach out to OSHA as they continue their investigation. This is the second time in less than a month that a worker has died after falling from a roof in the Town of Wallkill. There needs to be a thorough investigation so that measures can be put in place to help prevent similar accidents.
