It seems that not a month goes by without a news story about construction workers getting hurt or killed while working on a scaffolding. Moreover, we have discussed the importance of scaffolding laws as crucial protections for injured workers and their families, even as insurance companies and employers try to sidestep their obligations.
A suspended platform that was part of scaffolding in front of an 11-story Murray Hill building is a potent reminder of the dangers that workers face. According to news reports, the building was getting its façade restored when the scaffolding platform fell, causing the death of one worker and injuries to three others — one worker was left hanging onto a cable while suspended in the air.
A challenging job on a compromised façade
An initial investigation noted that chunks of the parapet were missing from the façade and lying on the ground. A news story also noted that the restoration was needed because inspectors determined that the façade was unsafe and in need of repair. The company doing the work was cited for 43 violations for safety issues since 2010, leading some to point out that it was not a union job, so it was more dangerous than it otherwise needed to be.
Victims deserve compensation
The deceased 59-year-old employee worked on the job for two weeks and was likely excited to have a new job. Now his family searches for answers about the cause of the death as they mourn their loss. It is also likely that they will need to file a lawsuit against the employer with the help from a personal injury attorney with experience handling construction site injuries and deaths. These legal professionals can often help secure a substantial amount of damages for the deceased worker’s family, and perhaps the other three workers injured that day.
