Construction Worker Fatally Crushed in the Bronx
Posted on December 21, 2022 in Firm News
An NYC construction worker in was killed in a suspected crushing accident on Thursday morning in the Bronx. The Daily News reported the accident occurred at a worksite in Tremont on Carter Ave near E.176th Street just before 11:30 am. A second worker was also injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations found that the accident was a possible machine-crushing incident, but workers and contractors have refused to comment at this time. The construction workers on site were working to build affordable housing on the property for homeless New Yorkers as part of a community project run by The Housing and Community Renewal agency.
Crushing Injuries in Construction
Crushing injuries are some of the leading causes of construction fatalities, number four on the Occupation Safety Health Administration’s Fatal Four. These accidents are caused by an extensive force that can lead to severe and fatal injuries, often involving heavy machinery and materials or dangerous equipment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports over 73,740 occupational crush injuries yearly, requiring days away from work, while others result in loss of life. At least 2% of all construction fatalities are due to crushing injuries, most of which are caught and stuck in between.
Crush injuries result from severe trauma when body parts are squeezed between one or more heavy objects. Examples of crush injuries in construction include getting a body part caught in a machine, falling loads striking workers, a work vehicle running over a body part, or becoming stuck between a device and the wall.
Common injuries caused by crush injuries include:
- Bruising
- Bleeding (internal or external)
- Lacerations
- Fractures
- Infections from secondary injuries
- Nerve Damage
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
Crush injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, chronic pain, loss of body part functioning, or other long-term injuries. These incidents may require years of recovery, expensive surgeries, therapies, or assisted equipment.
Pazer, Epstein, Jaffe & Fein NYC Construction Accident Attorneys
At the law firm of Pazer, Epstein, Jaffe & Fein, we have been fighting for New York City workers and victims of construction accidents for over 60 years. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured on a construction worksite, contact one of our attorneys for a free consultation through our online form or call 212-227-1212.