A Closer Look at the Recent NYC Crane Collapse
On July 26, 2023, a large construction crane on 10th Avenue and West 41st Street in New York City burst into flames and eventually collapsed, falling several stories onto the street below. News outlets are reporting that the crane was carrying 16 tons of concrete, and the fire weakened the cable holding up the concrete until the cable eventually snapped.
Sadly, at least 6 people were hurt in the incident. This story is still developing as of writing.
If you (or a loved one) are hurt in a construction incident on a job site, there are a number of very powerful laws which give injured workers the right to bring a lawsuit against the general contractor and the building owner. However, it is important to make sure that your case isn’t jeopardized by doing, at a minimum, the following:
- Immediately report the incident and get as much documentation as possible. Documentation and prompt reporting will likely be helpful in corroborating your testimony later.
- Try to take photos or videos of the incident location if possible (or have someone else take photos if you are too injured). This could be valuable evidence at trial, especially at a construction site where the structure will eventually be completed, and the location as it existed at the time of the accident will no longer exist.
- Get witness contact information and store it somewhere safe. Try to get their name, phone number, address, and emergency contact if possible. You may need to find these witnesses years down the road to testify at trial.
- Seek prompt medical attention. Make sure to provide as much information about your injuries as you can to the doctor.
- Hire a reputable, experienced construction accident attorney. Not all personal injury attorneys have experience with the unique laws governing construction accidents.
Taking these steps will ensure that your construction accident case is in a strong evidentiary position. Grandelli & Eskenasi has significant experience litigating construction accident cases, including recent $22.5 million and $7.25 million construction accident settlements. Reach out to our office today for a free consultation.
