Fatal Construction Fall on Upper West Side
Posted on November 28, 2022 in Firm News
Sadly, a construction worker sustained fatal injuries in a fall Monday morning while working on the Upper West Side. Patch reported the accident took place at the worksite on 263 West End Avenue and West 72nd Street. Details have yet to be revealed on what caused the fall, but a complaint to the Department of Buildings stated the worker may have fallen from scaffolding onto a sidewalk shed.
This tragedy was the second fatal construction fall in New York City this month. At the beginning of November, another construction worker was killed in Queens after falling from the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge.
Falls Are the Leading Cause of Death in Construction
Falls continue to top the list of leading causes of construction fatalities yearly. In 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) falls were at the top of its Fatal Four. Additionally, fall protection was the leading safety violation leading to accidents reported during onsite inspections listed in OSHA’s Top 10 Frequently Violated Standards.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), out of 1,034 fatal construction injuries in 2020, 353 were the result of falls from elevation, and 9 were the result of falls from the same level. Falls on the construction site can occur for several reasons, most of which are entirely preventable. Some of these include:
- Damaged, defective, or unsecured ladders
- Lift malfunctions
- Inadequate fall protection
- Tripping hazards on platforms and structures
- Unfinished/poorly built support structures
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.