Two Workers Injured After Falling Down 10-Foot Hole At Brooklyn Construction Site Along Lawrence Street
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (May 28, 2024) – Two workers were injured after they fell down a hole at a downtown construction site in Brooklyn.
New York City police are saying that the incident took place around 11:10 a.m. on Monday. Two workers fell down the same hole and were injured in the process.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. They were both extricated from the hole and taken to the hospital.
A full investigation by OSHA remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Brooklyn Construction Accidents
Falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in the construction industry. According to OSHA, “In 2020, there were 351 fatal falls to a lower level out of 1,008 construction fatalities (BLS data). These deaths are preventable.” Construction companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent falls.
- All construction workers should be trained in fall prevention.
- Construction workers should be provided with personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).
- Construction companies should install guardrails in certain locations to prevent falls.
- Construction companies should comply with all OSHA regulations.
Property owners and general contractors are held strictly liable for gravity-related accidents under New York State Labor Law § 240/241, commonly referred to as the scaffold law. This includes accidents where a worker falls or is struck by a falling object. For the statute to apply, the worker must have been engaged in the “erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning, or pointing of a building.” Victims of falls tend to suffer very serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Head injuries
Many of the injuries from falls are so serious that workers may need to take extensive time away from their jobs. The vast majority of falls that take place at a construction site are preventable. They tend to occur when safety measures are not being followed. If you or someone that you love has been injured in a New York City construction fall, you may have legal recourse. A construction accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Brooklyn Construction Accidents
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to the two workers injured in this accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Brooklyn construction accident? You may have legal recourse through a civil claim. 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 (516) 908-9792.
