Worker Hurt After Falling Down Elevator Shaft at Staten Island Construction Site

A construction worker was reportedly hurt in a recent fall down an elevator shaft in Staten Island. According to Richard Howe, Division 8 Deputy Fire Chief, a 60-year-old employee was working at a construction site in St. George when he fell and landed on building duct work. Howe stated the worker was rescued by local firefighters about 45 minutes after the single-story fall. Following the man's rescue, he was apparently transported by ambulance to Richmond University Medical Center with broken bones.

The courthouse building project where the incident took place is reportedly being constructed under the oversight of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York. A spokesperson for the organization, John D. Chirlin, stated the exact cause of the workplace accident is now under investigation. Additionally, he said both city authorities and the nation's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were notified about the incident.

It is a sad fact that people who are employed in the construction industry face treacherous working environments every day. Data compiled by OSHA claims more than 4,600 people were killed at work in the United States in 2011. Over 17 percent of those workplace fatalities reportedly took place at a construction site. The top four causes of construction worker deaths included unexpected falls, electrocution, being struck by an object, and being caught or crushed. In fact, worker falls accounted for about 35 percent of all construction site deaths in 2011.

Despite that most on-the-job injuries in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are subject to workers' compensation laws, a negligent third party such as a general contractor may be held responsible for an employee's harm if it resulted from a failure to comply with federal safety regulations. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a construction site accident in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, you should contact a skilled personal injury attorney for assistance.

Please contact the hardworking personal injury and accident lawyers at Korngut Paleudis LLC if you were hurt or lost a family member in a New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut construction accident. Our caring attorneys are available to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve after an avoidable workplace injury. Our committed advocates have more than 45 years of experience helping clients who are located in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. To speak with a knowledgeable lawyer about your personal injury or wrongful death case, do not hesitate to contact Korngut Paleudis LLC through the law firm's website or give us a call at (212) 835-6768 in New York City or (609) 480-3080 in Princeton, New Jersey.

Additional Resources:

FDNY rescues building worker from elevator shaft on Staten Island, by Tracey Porpora, silive.com