A security guard was tragically killed on May 27 at the construction site of the new Central Park Tower skyscraper in Manhattan, according to ABC Eyewitness News. A large glass panel measuring eight feet by 14 feet reportedly fell or was dropped while it was being moved, crushing the man.
The city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a stop work order after the mishap led to the death of 67-year-old Harry Ramnauth and injured a 27-year-old worker at the site on West 57th Street. Unfortunately, this was not the first such death in 2018.
Ongoing safety problems on NYC construction sites
As falling objects continue to injure and kill workers and bystanders in New York City, people inside and outside the construction industry are baffled as to why so many sloppy, deadly mistakes continue to occur. Several other serious accidents have happened recently:
- A worker was struck in the head with a falling beam in Brooklyn just weeks earlier.
- In March, an eight-year-old girl was hit on the head by a falling object in Queens.
- Also in March, a worker was killed on a site in Chelsea when a piece of scaffolding fell and hit him.
These situations point to serious failures by project owners and contractors, who are responsible for keeping job sites safe for workers and everyone else.
What rights do injured workers and their families have?
Workers who are hurt on the job should talk to a lawyer right away. The families of workers who are killed or seriously hurt should seek legal advice. These workers and their families may be entitled to money damages for injuries or wrongful deaths caused by the negligence of third parties.
