BUILDING COLLAPSE

It is difficult, if not impossible, to eliminate all potential risk factors for serious injury from construction work. This is especially true when the work involves erecting and demolishing building, or restoring those that have fallen into disrepair where one of the biggest concerns is building collapse. Lawyers who represent victims in these types of scenarios often tell construction workers that they should always feel that their employer has done its best to promote safe working conditions.

Of the many hazards that can happen in construction work, building collapse is one of the most catastrophic events that can take place. Construction accident responsibility is a large part of system of determining compensation for any given injury in the workplace including construction debris accidents. A construction firm, building owner, or tool manufacturer, may be held responsible for injuries incurred during a building collapse. Lawyers at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP state that if safety measures were disregarded or equipment malfunctioned, a lawsuit may be filed to compensate the victim for injuries and lost wages. By way of example, early in 2006, one construction worker was killed and another grievously injured when a building, which the workers were preparing for demolishment collapsed. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's investigation into the incident found that the firm who was handling the contract had not provided it's employees who were working on the roof with adequate fall protection and also failed to shore up the sections of the buildings where the workers were performing their tasks and were therefore responsible for the construction accident. OSHA also charged the firm with not conducting an engineering survey to determine the building's condition and likelihood of collapse; neglecting to instruct its employees in how to recognize threatening conditions; failing to erect shoring towers, guard rails and failing to implement a mechanism capable of limiting construction debris accidents; and also failing to devise a fire-protection program.

If you or a loved one were injured in a building collapse, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The New York and New Jersey building collapse lawyers at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, offer experienced legal representation for people who have been involved in construction debris accidents.

For more information please contact Alan J. Konigsberg at (212) 605-6200.