Investigation Underway After Two Construction Workers Were Injured In Harlem Partial Building Collapse
HARLEM, MANHATTAN (July 27, 2024) – At least two construction workers were injured in a Harlem partial building collapse by Madison Avenue and East 126th Street.
New York City officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. Two workers were on a scaffold when part of a building collapsed and fell onto them.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the workers. One of the workers sustained an injury to the leg. The other sustained a back injury.
Both were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment.
Liability Manhattan Construction Accidents
Accidents involving scaffolds remain one of the main causes of preventable injury and death for construction workers. According to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration, “An estimated 2.3 million construction workers, or 65 percent of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently. Protecting these workers from scaffold- related accidents would prevent 4,500 injuries and 50 deaths every year.” There are a number of reasons that a building could potentially collapse on a scaffold.
- Structural deficiencies in the building could contribute to a collapse, including low-quality building materials.
- Foundation issues with the building, such as soil shifts, could make the walls of the building unstable.
- Poor maintenance is another major cause of partial building collapses. Minor issues can turn into major issues over time.
Building owners and general contractors could be held strictly liable for any instance where a worker is injured while on a scaffold. Commonly referred to as the “Scaffold Law,” New York State Labor Law § 240 imposes strict liability on construction companies, contractors, and building owners when a worker falls or is hit by a falling object. It is important that certain steps are taken after any construction accident.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- An experienced attorney should be contacted.
Construction accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to be more likely to occur at construction sites with a history of safety violations. In particular, many workers fall because they were not given adequate fall protection. Any person injured in a construction accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Getting Legal Help After A Construction Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the two construction workers injured in this Harlem accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. It is our hope that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Harlem construction accident? You may be entitled to compensation. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping workers get the support and justice that they are entitled to. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
