New York City construction workers face a bevy of dangers on the job. Falls from heights, falling objects, collapsing scaffolds and equipment failure are common hazards that lead to many preventable injuries (and a number of deaths) each year.
Sadly, other unforeseen hazards can befall hard-working men and women on construction sites in the city. In the recent case of one worker, human aggression and hatred were blamed for a serious injury while he was simply doing his job on Manhattan’s West Side, according to the New York Daily News.
Brutal, racist treatment alleged
According to police and prosecutors quoted by the News, Klevis Vulaj and Veton Balidemaj were charged with assault as a hate crime for allegedly beating a construction worker near 47th Street and 11th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen. Reportedly, the worker had instructed the two men to not walk through a construction site where concrete was being poured, but they refused to comply.
The 48-year-old worker was subsequently called racial slurs, beaten, and kicked in the face, and he had to be hospitalized for facial trauma and cuts, according to the News. The report stated that the two suspects were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and scheduled for a February 14 court appearance.
Worker safety is critical but often neglected
Too many New York construction workers face on-the-job dangers that could be prevented by their employers. If you or a loved one experienced a construction injury that you think may have been caused by negligence, make sure you understand your legal rights — you may be entitled to money damages.
