A construction worker on the 2nd Avenue subway in New York was injured in an on-the-job accident in August and has now filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the state and MTA Capital Construction. The incident was apparently one of many worker accidents in recent years, as records show that the MTA has been cited more than 18 times for safety violations.
The accident in question was reported on Aug. 20 and occurred approximately 100 feet below the surface of the street. The worker said he and another individual were pouring concrete with a flexible hose when it swung out of control and struck his leg. The man claims that he awoke to find himself covered in concrete with a bleeding head and a large gash across one leg.
The worker has submitted paperwork showing his intention to file a $55 million lawsuit against the defendants, citing unsafe working conditions. OSHA is also reportedly looking at issuing additional violations based on the inappropriate use of a flexible hose attached to a pipe to pour concrete. A representative for the company issued a statement noting that maintaining worker safety and providing a hazard-free work environment are always top priorities.
Injuries on the job can do more than physically harm a worker. Serious injuries can also take a worker away from his or her job for long periods of time, making it difficult to provide for themselves and their family. When an accident is believed to be the result of unsafe or inappropriate working conditions, the injured party may feel it necessary to contact a legal representative for guidance. Legal action against a company never has a guaranteed outcome, but an experienced lawyer can lend a hand in building a case.
Source: WABC, “Construction worker injured on 2nd ave. subway project to file $55 million lawsuit“, N.J. Burkett, September 17, 2014
