A construction worker who was working at the Barclays Center was killed in an accident at the end of last month. The New York workers were building an environmentally-friendly roof for the center. However, one or more of the joists fell off the truck, causing a fatal construction site accident.
The construction team was hired by the center to install the new green roof. Part of the installation process required a crane to lift steel joists off of a truck and onto the roof. However, before the joists could be fastened to the crane, one or more steel joists fell. The falling metal struck the construction worker, causing fatal injuries.
The man worked for a steel erector contractor company that was subcontracted by another construction company in order to complete the roof. At this point, details surrounding the worker, including his name as well as specifics concerning the fatal accident, have not been publicly released. Presumably, more information will become available as the investigation moves forward.
At this point, it is hard to determine who might be at fault for the accident. For example, there may have been a design defect with the material used to attach the joists to the crane, or the crane or truck operator could have been negligent during the process. Typically, when a worker is injured in a New York construction site accident — including fatal injuries — then that worker (or a deceased worker’s surviving family) would be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, if the investigation discovers that a third party was negligent in a manner that led to the fatal accident, then the worker’s estate may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the party or parties believed responsible.
Source: CBS New York, “Construction Worker At Barclays Center Hit, Killed By Steel Joist“, Feb. 24, 2015
