New York City continues to awe tourists and residents alike with its countless and iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Times Square. Throughout the city it seems as if there is non-stop stream of building work to help preserve the towering skyscrapers. Often this work occurs above people when they are walking through the crowded streets below, which can pose a threat to health and safety. When accidents involving falling debris happen, they often lead to serious injuries or even death.
Authorities report that contractors for Landmark Signs were working on a billboard on a site 10 stories above the M&Ms store in Times Square. The worker was moving a metal beam when he apparently lost his grip, sending the beam plummeting down to the sidewalk below at Seventh Avenue and West 48th Street. The incident happened at 8:45 a.m., so many people were still going to work and the streets were busy.
The 12-foot aluminium beam fell from the billboard and struck two pedestrians below who were working for Big Bus Tours New York. The two men were rushed to Bellevue Hospital, but the extent of their injuries was unknown.
“I was scared. It was very dangerous,” said one witness who was only three feet away from the two men who were struck. A complaint was made to the Department of Buildings. It is believed that wet weather may have played a role in the incident.
Construction Accidents in New York: Crowded Streets, Dangerous Accidents
According to statistics released by the New York Department of Buildings, 186 people were injured in January of 2014 due to construction site issues. The rate at which New York City is building often leaves workers with little room to move, and when the population is as dense as in the city, somebody is likely to be in the path of any falling debris.
What happens if you are injured due to a construction site accident? You need professional and experienced representation to help fight for your loss of income and hospital fees due to injury. Contact Fitzgerald Lawyers today and book a free consultation to start your case.