Crane Collapse In Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan Injured At Least 11 People
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (July 26, 2023) – At least 11 people were injured in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan after a crane caught fire and then collapsed.
New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The crane was set up at a building under construction along 10th Avenue in between West 41st Street and 42nd Street.
Footage shared on social media showed the crane in Hell’s Kitchen on fire. The crane’s boom came down and crashed into the side of a building sending debris raining down onto people below.
In all, 11 people and two firefighters sustained injuries. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Hell’s Kitchen Crane Collapse Accidents
Cranes are essential for large scale construction projects. But they can also be quite dangerous. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “From 2011 to 2015, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported 220 total crane-related deaths, an average of 44 per year over this 5-year period. Men accounted for 217 of the 220 fatal injuries involving cranes.” Crane accidents tend to be very complex and could be caused by many different things.
- Cranes have weight limits to ensure that they do not buckle or collapse. If these weight limits are exceeded, this increases the odds that a crane could tip over or collapse.
- Cranes are huge pieces of machinery. Unlike cars and trucks, they need to be assembled at every new construction site. When a crane is not assembled properly, this could lead to a collapse. A common mistake during the assembly process is failing to install adequate wood or metal blocking supports.
- Inadequate employee training is another major cause of crane accidents. Crane operators must complete OSHA training courses and get the correct certifications.
- Mechanical failures can also lead to a collapse. Crane components must be regularly inspected and properly oiled. When a crane is not properly maintained or repaired, this could lead to a catastrophic failure.
There are a number of different entities that could face liability for any crane collapse in New York. The company using the crane could be at fault if the accident was caused by improper assembly or operator error. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior employers are principally responsible for the negligent actions of their employees. According to Judith M. v. Sisters of Charity Hosp., 93 N.Y.2d 932, 933 (1999) respondeat superior will apply “so long as the tortious conduct is generally foreseeable and a natural incident of the employment.”
The company that manufactured a crane could also be liable for an accident. Companies that manufacture construction machinery must work to ensure that their products are reasonably safe. This includes taking steps to test their products. When a company fails to make their products reasonably safe they could be held accountable through a product liability claim. In arguing for the existence of a design defect a plaintiff must show:
- The product was not reasonably safe due to a significant likelihood of harm;
- It was feasible for the product to have been designed in a safer way, and;
- The defect in question was the proximate cause of the injury a victim sustained. (Voss v. Black & Decker Mfg. Co., 59 N.Y.2d 102)
Any person that is injured in a crane accident may be able to seek aid through a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim can help with the medical and financial harm that can come with a serious accident. Many accident victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after the accident. A New York City crane accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating New York City Crane Collapse Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Hell’s Kitchen crane accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all of the victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Hell’s Kitchen crane collapse accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of New York City crane accident attorneys are here to help. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
