Construction workers are at constant risk of becoming involved in an accident. One minor mishap can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Even with all the safety training and necessary precautions that such workers are required to take, some accidents are simply inevitable. These accidents can have a serious and lasting impact on a person’s livelihood and ability to secure income. Thankfully, workers have certain rights that allow them to claim benefits in some cases.
After falling down an elevator shaft in Queens, New York City, a construction worker tragically suffered fatal injuries. Another worker also suffered injuries, though he survived the accident. According to reports, the man who suffered fatal injuries had fallen five stories in the elevator shaft of a school. The school was under construction. Tragically, the man succumbed to his injuries while being transported to a nearby hospital.
The second worker thankfully survived the accident. He fell from the fourth floor of the same building. Reports claim that he was hit by falling debris, which reports speculate may have been the other worker’s falling harness. The second worker was said to be in stable condition.
According to reports, the accident occurred during the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s week-long National Fall Safety Stand Down. Sadly, falls are the number one cause of fatalities in the construction industry. Hundreds die every year in such accidents, while thousands more suffer serious work-related injuries.
Whether people are killed or injured in a construction accident, victims and their families have rights. They may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Knowing one’s legal rights and how to protect them can help victims and their families fight for the benefits they need for a strong recovery.
Source: Equipment World, “Construction worker killed by fall down elevator shaft in New York City,” Wayne Grayson, June 5, 2014
