Three construction workers were injured and another was killed in a recent scaffolding accident in New York. Two of the victims’ injuries were described as serious, while the third suffered minor injuries. Sadly, construction accidents have contributed to at least two deaths in the city since the beginning of 2020.
The three men were working outside the 11th floor of a 12-story building, performing repairs to its facade. As they worked, part of the building’s parapet broke off and fell, slamming into a rig that two of the men were on. The rig collapsed onto the scaffolding below.
A 50-year-old worker was killed in this series of collapses, although officials are not sure whether he or she was on the ground or in the rig at the time. The other three victims were taken to an area hospital for treatment. It is not clear which of the three — if any — were admitted for further medical care.
While accidents and injuries can happen at any workplace, construction workers face unique dangers on the job. Construction accidents often involve heavy machinery or scaffolding, both of which can lead to severe injuries or even death. Recovering from an injury involving machinery or a fall from significant height can be painful and time consuming. In New York, injured workers can choose to pursue workers’ compensation benefits during this difficult process. These benefits usually help cover medical expenses and lost wages, and families who have lost loved ones might even qualify for temporary death benefits.