Construction workers routinely must operate and work around heavy machinery on a daily basis. Unfortunately, sometimes problems can arise and workers can become involved in accidents with some of the machinery that is abundant on construction sites. These accidents can be serious or even deadly, and workers need to consult with knowledgeable New York City construction accident lawyers about options after an injury happens.
One recent tragic accident showed the extent of loss that can result when a problem with machinery occurs. The incident resulted in the death of a construction worker in Brooklyn.
A Look at What Happened
The New York Daily News reported on the machinery accident that took the life of a construction worker. The incident happened when a piece of crane equipment came loose. There was a steel piece that latched a hook onto the cable of the crane. The crane was anchored at street level and extended more than five stories up. The crane is being used as a part of a project that involves developing an 18,000-square foot site which was previously a parking lot. A 13-story hotel is now being constructed on the lot, and is expected to open in the spring of 2018.
When the piece of steel attached to the crane came loose, it fell at least 60 feet. The falling steel hit a 43-year-old construction worker who was operating the crane. It is not clear if the worker had a hard hat on. He had just stepped out of the tower crane when he was hit in the head by the steel. However, his co-workers who witnessed the incident indicate it would not have mattered if the man had a hard hat on or not because the steel fell from so far up.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:20 in the afternoon. Witnesses report that the steel ripped back a part of the man’s scalp when it fell on top of him. He died at the scene of the accident. His wife and mother-in-law came to the scene and his wife told the New York Daily News that she had told him not to take the job.
The death is being investigated by both the local police as well as the Department of Buildings. City officials reported that a stop work order had been issued on the hotel construction project until the investigation into the death is completed.
Unfortunately, accidents involving cranes and other construction equipment, including bulldozers and forklifts, are far too common. In addition to items falling off cranes, accidents can also occur when the crane itself swings in an uncontrolled fashion; when workers fall off of equipment; when workers become caught in construction machinery; and when workers are caught in between construction machinery and other objects.
When problems arise with any type of construction machinery or equipment, victims should consider pursuing a workers’ comp claim, as well as determine whether machinery malfunctions could potentially give rise to a product liability lawsuit. RMFW can provide assistance to injured workers and their families in determining what option is best for recovering compensation.
