Two Workers Died In New York City Construction Accident At The John F Kennedy International Airport
QUEENS, NEW YORK (April 6, 2023) – Two construction workers were killed in an accident at the New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:00 a.m. on Monday. The two workers became trapped under construction rubble.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the two victims. Both workers were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
It remains unclear how the workers became trapped by the rubble. A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Queens Construction Accidents
The construction industry has one of the highest rates of fatal workplace accidents. According to one report from Construct Connect, “Four of the leading causes of construction worker fatalities, excluding transportations incidents, are falls, electrocutions, being struck by objects, and being caught in or between objects. OSHA has dubbed these the “Fatal Four” and typically accounts for over half of all construction worker deaths each year.” Several steps can be taken in order to prevent workplace falls.
- In certain circumstances, guardrails should be constructed to act as a physical barrier to prevent falls.
- Workers should be provided with fall arrest systems when they work six feet or higher off the ground.
- Employers should properly train their workers how to use their equipment.
- Safety nets should be installed in certain areas.
Many accidents involve workers that are hit by falling objects. Employers are held strictly liable for gravity related accidents under New York State Labor Law § 240(1). This includes instances when a worker falls or is struck by a falling object. In order for the statute to apply, the worker must have been performing a qualifying task. This could include the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any construction accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Workplace safety records should be examined.
It can be hard to know where to begin after any construction accident. These incidents can often leave families grief stricken and struggling to pay bills. The family of any person that is killed in a Queens construction accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your rights are.
Investigating A Queens Workplace Accident
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the families of the two workers that died in this accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Worker safety should always be a top priority for every employer.
Do you need more information about a Queens construction accident? Our team of construction accident attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that workers 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 any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
