Investigation Underway After Construction Worker Died In Fall At Harlem, Manhattan Construction Site
HARLEM, NEW YORK (July 15, 2024) – A 45-year-old construction worker has tragically died in a fall at a construction site in Harlem, Manhattan.
New York City police officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. The worker apparently got his leg caught on a rope, which pulled him to the ground.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the worker died due to the severe nature of his injuries.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Manhattan Construction Accidents
Falls remain one of the leading causes of worker deaths in the construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In 2022, nearly 1 in 5 workplace deaths occurred in the construction industry and 38.4 percent of these deaths were due to falls, slips, and trips. The construction industry accounted for close to half, 47.4 percent, of all fatal falls, slips, and trips in 2022.” There are a number of common causes of falls in the construction industry.
- Lack of Fall Protection: Workers may not be protected by guardrails or personal fall protection systems.
- Unstable Working Surfaces: Workers may be asked to work on surfaces that are slippery or unstable.
- Improper Use of Ladders: The ladder that a worker was using may not have been properly anchored to the ground.
- Poor Training: Workers may not have received adequate training on fall prevention.
Construction companies and general contractors are held strictly liable for falls at construction sites. According to New York Labor Law 240, property owners and contractors must ensure the safety of workers who are engaged in the erecting, demolition, altering, painting, cleaning, or pointing of a building. The statute covers all gravity-related accidents. This includes instances where a worker falls or is struck by a falling object. Victims of construction accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
The vast majority of construction falls are completely preventable. They tend to involve instances where construction companies are not taking adequate measures in order to protect workers. Many workers are asked to work without personal fall arrest systems, which can prevent the vast majority of falls. Any person who is injured in a construction accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Harlem Construction Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the construction worker injured in this Harlem construction accident. It is our hope that he is able to make a full recovery. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Harlem construction accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that construction 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, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
