One Person Died, Three Injured In Manhattan Construction Accident After Wall Collapse At Three Story Building
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (March 13, 2023) – One worker was killed and three people were injured in a wall collapse accident at a Manhattan construction site on 126 Lafayette Street.
New York City officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday. Multiple workers were near the rear of the building when a wall collapsed.
One worker was killed after being hit by tons of falling rubble. Three other workers were injured after being tossed off of a scaffold.
FDNY officials were called to the scene and arrived in under five minutes. The Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a stop work order at the site.
The three story building where the accident took place was being demolished. An initial investigation by the Department of Buildings revealed that the collapse was triggered by an overloaded support beam.
Liability For Manhattan Construction Accidents
Despite continued improvement in workplace safety standards, many workers are killed or seriously injured every year in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2020, construction laborers saw their highest annual fatal injury count (308) in the last 5 years. Construction laborers accounted for almost a third of all fatal injuries in construction and extraction occupations in 2020, the highest proportion since 2016.” There are a number of factors that could cause a wall to collapse.
- Poor Drainage: If too much water gets absorbed into the soil behind a retaining wall, this could lead to a catastrophic failure.
- Excessive Weight: Walls are designed to only hold so much weight. When this limit is exceeded, a collapse becomes more likely.
- Inadequate Materials: Construction companies often seek to save money by buying cheaper materials. However, this can be dangerous if the materials are unable to support the load of a retaining wall.
Depending on the facts of any case, a construction company or general contractor could face liability if a worker is killed. Pursuant to New York Labor Law 200, workplaces in New York must be maintained in a reasonably safe condition. A construction company could also be liable for an accident under New York Labor Law 241(6). This statute creates a non-delegable duty for owners and general contractors who employ workers in construction, demolition, and excavation. The violation of a specific industrial code could form the basis of a negligence claim under the statute. Victims of construction accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Construction accidents are largely preventable when safety protocols are being followed. They are often the result of companies that cut corners in order to increase their profit margin. The family of any person that is killed in a construction accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A New York City Construction Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of the worker killed in this wall collapse. It is our sincere hope that the other workers will be able to fully recover. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of all of the victims.
Do you need more information about a New York City construction accident? Our team of construction accident attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.
