A woman was injured after a construction fence fell over and struck her in the head, leaving her stuck underneath a car. The incident occurred on Monday, March 1, 2021 just after 5:00 p.m., when an unidentified woman was walking past a six-story building on West 144th Street in Hamilton Heights. Investigators believe the wind caused the fence to topple over onto the sidewalk.
The victim was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, but the extent of her injuries has not been released. We wish the victim a full and speedy recovery.
The Department of Buildings said the building was undergoing renovations stemming from a 2017 fire. They issued a violation to the building contractor for failure to protect the public and issued a partial stop work order for the construction.
Although wind may have played a factor in Monday’s accident, further information will be needed to determine the cause of the collapse and if the proper protocols were followed. Temporary construction fences are required by the NYC Construction Code to protect the public from possible construction hazards. They typically involve structural supports such as posts, frames, braces, and rods to resist the effects of wind and other weather-related hazards. They should also be built to withstand 80-mph winds. If they are not installed properly, they can put pedestrians at serious risk for injury or even death. Under New York State Law, building owners and contractors have a responsibility to make sure these materials are secure at all times. If they fail to do so, they can be held liable.
Construction accidents are not uncommon and, as seen from this incident, pedestrians can be affected by them too. If you have been injured on or near a construction site due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to reach out to a law firm that has the experience and determination to get you the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have a long history of obtaining successful results in construction accident lawsuits.
Select results include:
- $110,174,972.38 verdict for a cyclist who was paralyzed after he was struck by a railroad tie dropped from a construction site above
- $15,000,000 settlement in a wrongful death case for the family of an HVAC worker who tragically died on the job when he was struck by a falling air chiller that weighed 28,450 pounds
- $12,000,000 settlement for a union tunnel worker who suffered serious neurological injuries after he fell 40 feet into a ventilation shaft on his construction site
- $11,500,000 settlement for a worker who sustained multiple lacerated tendons in his hand, which led to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, after he was struck by a defective saw
- $11,000,000 settlement in a Brooklyn case for a masonry foreman who suffered serious injuries, including multiple pelvic fractures, after he fell through an unsecured hole cover at his work site
If you or a loved one was hurt from a falling object at a construction site or building project you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced attorneys at 212-736-5300 or fill out our online contact form for a free legal consultation.