10/02/2012 // New York, NY, USA // New York Injury Accident Lawyer // Jonathan C. Reiter // (press release)
A construction worker, believed to be a male in his mid-30’s, fell at a construction site located at 3 World Trade Center on August 28, 2012 at approximately 1:28 p.m. Eyewitnesses reported that the worker was in the process of installing a steel beam, when he slipped and fell a distance of approximately 15 feet to the ground. He was removed by ambulance to Bellevue Hospital. He is believed to have suffered fractures to both arms, along with head and neck injuries. In addition, it was reported that the worker was impaled on a small steel rod that he was carrying at the time of the accident. He was listed in serious condition at Bellevue Hospital, adds NY injury lawyer Jonathan C. Reiter.
The State of New York has long been the pioneer in legislation, which addresses the high risks of serious injuries associated with construction sites. In particular, New York passed Labor Law section 240(1) which imposes strict liability on the owner and all contractors and their agents, for injuries resulting from the operation of the force of gravity. This law has come to be known as the “gravity law.” This law encompasses those serious injuries that result from either a worker falling from a height, or an object falling from a height on to a worker. Moreover, Labor Law section 241 codifies safety regulations for construction sites, and establishes liability for the violation of the safety regulations.
While New York has historically been at the forefront in promulgating laws involving construction site safety, starting in the early 20th century, it is clear that the laws still need to be stronger in protecting the construction workers who work at great heights from severe injuries or death. One way of strengthening the laws would be to increase the penalties for violation of safety regulations. New York construction accident attorney Jonathan C. Reiter, who has handled many construction site accidents stated the following: “The City and State of New York need to do a better job in protecting the workers who are constructing the magnificent structures being erected in the City. One way of doing this would be to make the penalties for statutory violations and acts of negligence extremely high, as an incentive to do everything humanly possible to make construction sites safe for the workers in this City”.
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