Construction workers work in very hazardous environments, as one Manhattan worker unfortunately discovered. The 25-year-old man fell down an elevator shaft while on the job, and he lost his life. Construction accidents are tragic occurrences, but the young man’s estate may be able to take legal action in New York depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The young man was part of a team that was working on the construction of the Riu Plaza Times Square. At around 12:30 p.m., he was on the 24th floor when he fell hundreds of feet down the elevator shaft. When the emergency responders arrived at the scene, his body was found in the cellar of the building. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment, but he died a little over an hour later.
While the recent accident is under investigation, the building had reportedly had safety problems in the past. In 2013, work had to come to a halt at the building after OSHA discovered multiple safety hazards. One such hazard was the failure to install railings at floor openings.
If the construction site is found to be unsafe and OSHA finds the man’s employer or a third party to be at fault for the man’s untimely death, the man’s estate could take legal action in the form of a New York wrongful death suit. The family could claim damages related to its loss, such as mental anguish and funeral expenses. If other families have experienced the loss of loved ones due to construction accidents, they may attempt to pursue legal actions as well.
Source: The New York Times, “Worker at Manhattan Construction Site Falls Down Elevator Shaft and Dies“, May 6, 2015
