Construction Worker Killed in Cinderblock Wall Collapse in New York, New York

According to recent news reports from New York, New York, a 26-year-old construction worker has died as a result of injuries sustained when a cinderblock wall collapsed on Monday, Jan. 10 around 9:35 a.m. on Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst. According to FDNY Chief Robert McBride, the wall collapsed onto scaffolding. The scaffolding, which likely had construction workers on it, also collapsed. A worker became trapped beneath the scaffolding. Victims were taken to Elmhurst Hospital. The three injured victims were last listed in serious condition after experiencing fractures and other trauma.

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When fatal construction site accidents occur, an employer is often the first entity looked into in order to ascertain if they may have been negligent in any way. Such negligence may have existed in the form of a lack of adequate training for their workers, a failure to provide proper or functional safety equipment, or even negligent hiring practices, which can contribute to creating a hazardous work environment. However, other workers or other persons on-site may have been acting recklessly, and such entities will be investigated as well. Furthermore, if the material used in erecting the wall were of poor design or poor consistency, i.e. not up to proper standards, the manufacturer of those materials may bear liability for such an accident. In many major construction accidents like the one mentioned here, many issues will likely have played a contributing role. Consequently, an outside investigation can be conducted in order to ascertain the liable parties so that they can be held accountable for their negligent behavior.