Last week, an unidentified construction worker employed was performing carpentry work on the twelfth floor of the new JPMorgan Chase headquarters at 270 Park Avenue. Witnesses recalled that as he was working, the man suddenly lost his balance and fell through an open hole, plummeting approximately twenty feet. First responders pronounced the worker dead at the scene.
We express our deepest sympathies for the family of the victim, who have suffered a senseless loss due to the apparent negligence of the employer.
The tower is planned to be 60 stories tall, stacking up to 1,388 feet in height. Spanning approximately 2,500,000 square feet, the building will be able to accommodate 14,000 bank employees. In response to the accident, the massive construction project has been halted and the Department of Buildings has launched an investigation. Thus far, no information has been released regarding the investigation’s findings.
The unidentified victim was employed by Certified Interiors, a carpentry contractor whose services have been utilized in the past by JPMorgan Chase in the construction of their building at 390 Madison Avenue. Just two weeks ago, the contractor proudly posted progress photos of the ongoing construction at 270 Park Avenue to social media.
The general contractor, employer, and property owner should be held legally responsible for maintaining a safe worksite. The hole that the victim fell through was unguarded. It should have been covered to prevent a tragic accident such as this.
The Danger of Construction Falls and the Laws That Protect You
Falls remain a frequent source of tragedy on construction sites, taking the lives of nearly 300 construction trades workers each year. Out of the four most deadly construction accidents, which include falls, electrocution, caught-in/between, and struck-by accidents, falls account for the most fatalities among workers.
While construction sites are generally regarded as dangerous areas, few outside of the industry understand just how many accidents are truly preventable. Sadly for fall victims, employers, supervisors, and property owners often disregard an array of precautions to get the job done quickly and inexpensively.
For laborers, protecting yourself from deadly falls isn’t just a matter of being careful on the job site – it is also important to know your rights as a worker. Legislators have put a variety of laws in place to protect the safety of workers like you, including New York laws such as:
- Labor Law 240(1), also known as the “Scaffold Law”, protects workers from gravity-related danger, which includes falls and falling debris accidents. This law is one of the most commonly cited labor laws in construction site accident lawsuits due to the broad protections it offers workers. If your employer failed to provide you with adequate protection from falls or falling debris, they are likely to be found guilty regardless of any fault you have been accused of.
- Labor Law 241(6), which states that property owners, contractors, and employers must “provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety” to workers on construction sites.
- Industrial Code 23-1.7 specifically addresses the matter of “foreign substance(s) which may cause slippery footing” and any “accumulations of dirt and debris…which could cause tripping” on construction sites, protecting workers from potentially deadly slip and falls.
This list is not exhaustive; there are many laws and codes that have been established with the sole purpose of protecting the lives of construction laborers. If you have been injured on the job site and aren’t sure if you are protected by the law, the best thing to do is consult an attorney.
New York Construction Fall Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured after falling on the job site, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The experienced and knowledgeable attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy are ready to fight for you.
Our lawyers have achieved significant compensation for clients injured after falling on the job, including cases such as:
- $11,000,000 settlement for a masonry foreman who suffered pelvic and spinal injuries after falling three stories
- $5,750,000 settlement for a laborer who endured injuries to his shoulder, knee, and spine in the aftermath of falling two stories
- $5,030,572 verdict for a construction worker who was injured by unsecured scaffolding, causing injury to his knee and spine
- $4,995,000 settlement for a construction worker that fell twenty feet and suffered multiple bone fractures and a spinal disc herniation
- $4,250,000 settlement for a union excavator who fell twenty feet into a trench, resulting in shoulder and spine injuries
- $4,000,000 settlement for a laborer who was working in the rain without safety equipment, causing him to fall off a roof and suffer a burst fracture to his spine
- $3,750,000 settlement for a construction worker who fell 30-40 feet and suffered a dislocated shoulder, elbow fracture, and herniated disc
To receive a free consultation, contact a Block O’Toole & Murphy lawyer today at 212-736-5300 or fill out our Contact Form. We serve New York and New Jersey.