A New York construction worker was killed in a tragic accident at a car dealership recently when part of a concrete ceiling collapsed and buried him under debris. Partitions of the Staten Island building’s interior were being demolished, which likely contributed to the building’s weakened structural integrity. The victim was working with three others, all of whom were able to escape without suffering serious injuries. Perhaps most notable about this incident is the construction company behind the project: Formica Construction Inc.
In 2007 an owner of Formica Construction Inc. was previously involved in a fatal accident in 2003, when one of the owners pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide after a trench collapsed and buried a construction worker. Court documents indicate that the owner was sentenced to time in jail after pleading guilty, admitting that he helped dig the trench and knew that it was unsafe.
While there may be many instances of unsafe practices for this particular construction company, construction workers of any project could easily face similar dangers. The natural risks that come with construction work are much greater than those of most other professions, including heavy equipment, large machinery, great heights and others. It is for these reasons that construction workers, perhaps more than any other career, should be aware of workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ compensation exists to take care of employees who are injured or fall ill due to or while performing the function of their job. It is a safety net that workers can take advantage of to ensure that they are not simply left to fend for themselves in the event of an accident. If you work in construction and you have suffered an injury, consider meeting with an attorney. You could be entitled to compensation.
Source: The New York Times, “Construction Worker Dies After Ceiling Collapse at Staten Island Car Dealership,” Benjamin Mueller, Nov. 28, 2014
