Queens Construction Accident Demonstrates NY’s Safety Shortcomings

Daniel A Kalish - A recent tragedy in Queens is one of the latest construction accidents in the tri-state area to highlight the dangers of construction work and hints at possible shortcomings in New York’s construction safety regulations.

A 26-year-old Queens resident and construction worker was crushed under the weight of an 18-foot high cinder block wall and its scaffolding the morning of January 10, 2011. The man was working under the scaffolding when the wall fell; his brother and two other workers were on top of the wall at the time and were able to ride the momentum of the wall down to safety, suffering injuries but surviving the collapse.

The construction project was intended to be a five-story building, the first floor having space for commercial use and the top four floors space for residents. The contractor, H. Rock Corporation, has worked on the project since being granted a permit in 2009. The corporation has received six violations at the site since it began construction, mainly for basic safety violations such as failing to post proper signage and keep machinery out of the sidewalk.

The City of New York is currently investigating the site of the accident, and has issued a stop-work order until the investigations are complete.

In the event of a workplace accident, it is important for employees to understand what they are entitled to after such an incident. The State of New York requires virtually all employers, including construction contractors, to provide workers’ compensation benefits in the event of a workplace accident that keeps the employee out of work for a period of time.

In some situations, employees who have been injured at the workplace can also file a personal injury claim to gain income in addition to any benefits that are received through workers’ compensation. To learn more about what avenues to recovery you may have, contact a New York personal injury attorney to confidentially discuss your accident.

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9-year-old boy orphaned in crash that kills entire family

A 9-year-old boy is recovering after his entire immediate family, including his pregnant mother, was killed in a car crash in California.

Relatives confirmed that 11-year-old Irving Miranda, 5-year-old Jose Miranda, 4-year-old Stephanie Miranda, 30-year-old Luis Miranda and 31-year-old Vivian Rodriguez all died in the collision at Ham Lane and Vine Street near Lodi Memorial Hospital.

A driver who witnesses have said might be responsible for the crash was in surgery, police said.

"All I saw was him flying down Ham Lane, flying around a car in the wrong lane and (he) was on the phone, and I told my parents when I got to their house, there will be a major accident before he reaches Kettleman Lane," Andrews said. "He was at least 100 miles per hour."

Westley Ruyle also was in the area and spotted the same vehicle just before the crash.
"The next thing we know, this gray Tahoe went flying by us at a high rate of speed, possibly close to 100 miles per hour -- maybe more," Ruyle said. "He almost hit a few vehicles on his travels. Before I got to Tokay, next thing I know, I see a huge dust cloud."