Five Construction Workers Injured In Queens After Being Hit By Falling Rebar Cage
QUEENS, NEW YORK (February 15, 2023) – At least five construction workers were injured in Sunnyside, Queens when they were hit by a falling rebar cage at construction site.
New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place on Monday afternoon. The incident was first reported at 46-01 37th Avenue at 48th Street.
A rebar cage tipped over and fell onto five contractors. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help all of the victims.
One reporter was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. The four other workers sustained more moderate injuries.
Liability For Queens Construction Accidents
Falls remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death at construction sites. Many of these accidents involve workers that are hit by falling objects. According to Safety and Health Magazine, in 2016 alone, there were 255 worker fatalities that resulted from dropped objects. In fact, falls remain one of the “fatal four” causes of workplace fatalities. There are a number of steps that construction companies should take to prevent workers from being injured by falling objects.
- Workers should be required to wear hard hats in certain areas.
- Safety nets should be installed over certain locations.
- Objects should not be allowed to hang over guardrails.
- Certain areas of a construction site may need to be roped off.
Construction companies have a non-delegable duty to maintain their work sites in a reasonably safe condition. They must protect workers from being struck by falling objects. When a worker is injured in a construction accident a general contractor or owner could be held strictly liable under New York State Labor Law § 240/241. This statute, commonly referred to as the “Scaffold Law” covers most gravity related accidents at construction sites. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any construction accident.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Any person that is injured in a construction accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that can come with a serious accident. Many accident victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for some time after they are injured. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Queens Construction Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the workers injured in this accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other accidents like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Queens construction accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of construction accident attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.
