Fatal Construction Fall at Chase Bank

Fatal Construction Fall at Chase Bank

A construction worker in Manhattan was killed in a fatal fall on Saturday at the new JPMorgan Chase Bank Headquarters construction site in Midtown. 

According to Channel 4 New York, the worker was on the 12th floor of the building at the time of the accident. Investigations from the Department of Buildings (DOB) reported the worker lost his balance and fell through a 20-foot hole on the worksite. He was reportedly conducting carpentry work when the fall occurred. 

The DOB has halted construction at the Chase Bank worksite while further investigations into the accident continue. This is the second construction fatality reported in New York City in 2023. 

Falls Remain the #1 Cause of Construction Fatalities 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to report falls as the number one cause of construction fatalities in the United States. In 2021, construction falls were not only on top of the Fatal Four; fall protection was the leading safety violation on OSHA’s Top 10 Frequently Violated Standards

Most fatal falls occur when construction workers work from elevated platforms and heights. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that of 1,034 fatal construction injuries, 353 were falls from elevation. Falls in construction occur for several reasons, the most including: 

  • Defective, damaged, or unsecured ladders
  • Inadequate fall protection 
  • Lift malfunctions
  • Unfinished/poorly built support structures 
  • Tripping hazards on structures and platforms 

Sadly, most of these hazards are entirely preventable. When contractors and employers fail to install appropriate fall protections, unnecessary fatal accidents are more likely to occur. 

Image Credit: Channel 4 NBC New York from (https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/construction-worker-falls-to-his-death-at-chase-bank-headquarters-in-midtown-manhattan/4180587/)

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.