Investigation Underway After Front Porch Collapse In Laurelton, Queens Injured Two Workers
QUEENS, NEW YORK (September 27, 2024) – Two workers were injured and rescued in Laurelton, Queens after the front porch of a home collapsed onto them.
New York City officials are saying that the incident took place just before 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The workers became pinned by falling slabs on concrete after the front porch of the home collapsed.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the workers. They were rescued from the rubble and transported to Jamaica Hospital.
The Department of Buildings issued a violation for failing to maintain the building.
Liability For Queens Porch Collapses
Thousands of workers are killed or seriously injured in workplace accidents every year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “There were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2022, a 5.7-percent increase from 5,190 in 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The fatal work injury rate was 3.7 fatalities per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, up from 3.6 per 100,000 FTE in 2021.” Construction companies should take a number of measures in order to keep their workers safe.
- Companies should ensure that all of their workers are properly trained.
- Workers should have access to personal protective equipment when necessary.
- Employers should conduct regular site inspections to identify hazards.
- Employers should regularly inspect and maintain construction equipment.
All employers have a legal obligation to protect their workers from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. A building owner, construction company or general contractor can be held liable under New York State Labor Law § 240. 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 workplace accident.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be collected.
- Workplace records should be reviewed.
- An experienced construction accident attorney should be contacted.
It can be hard to know what to do after any workplace accidents. Victims are often left with high medical bills. They may also need to take extensive periods of time away from work. Many workers are so seriously injured that they may never be able to return to their professions. Any person injured in a construction accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Queens Construction Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the workers injured in this Laurelton, Queens porch collapse. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies.
Do you need more information about a Laurelton, Queens construction accident? Our team of workers rights advocates is 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. 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.