Each year in New York City, numerous workers fall from heights on construction sites. Many of them lose their lives.
In May, a 62-year-old construction worker fell from a scaffold, this time on First Avenue near Houston Street in the East Village. The worker plunged five stories from a height of about 60 feet, according to a Patch story which referred to a tweet about the incident from the NYPD’s 9th Precinct.
What factors cause workers to fall?
The core problem is that many New York contractors and builders don’t care enough about workers to ensure that job sites are safe. A large portion of falls occur because safety rules are always followed.
Many times, construction workers fall because of safety lapses that defy common sense, such as:
- A worker’s harness isn’t properly hooked up.
- A tool or piece of equipment isn’t in proper working order.
- A job is being performed in high winds or other unsafe weather.
- A worker hasn’t been trained properly.
- Employees are being rushed to get a job done quickly.
What can families do when a loved one is seriously hurt or killed because of unsafe conditions?
When a worker is injured or killed, there is often a ripple effect that causes all kinds of problems — financial, emotional and social — for their family, their friends and their community.
If you or one of your family members is hurt on a New York construction site, you may be entitled to money damages. Get the legal advice you need: Talk to an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
