Just by walking around New York City each day on our way to work or to grab a coffee, we seem to be putting ourselves at risk. From the number of car accidents this year that have injured pedestrians to bricks falling from buildings and hitting those walking on the sidewalk, safety on our city streets has become a big issue.
Last week, the NYPD closed several blocks on the Upper East Side of Manhattan after bricks fell from the facade of a condominium building on East 63rd Street that is more than 30 stories high. Bricks falling from any height can pose a hazard, but coming from 30 stories above the sidewalk can be deadly. The site of the accident, the St. Tropez condominium at 340 East 64th Street, had been undergoing some exterior renovations. No workers were believed to be there when the incident unfolded at around 10 p.m.
While no pedestrians were injured in this incident, it easily could have happened had it been a busier time of day. The impact of the accident felt for several proceeding days, as much of the area was still closed to traffic and pedestrians, to ensure their safety and that no more bricks would fall.
When an exterior of a building is undergoing any kind of renovation, including the pointing or repointing of even a single brick, New York State requires that certain protections be put in place not only for the protection of construction workers but for pedestrians and passerbys as well. The law requires that every area, building or other structure, where construction work is being performed should be guarded and safely blocked off as not to endanger any person passing by. The safety measures required include the use of railings, fences, barricades, sheeting and other protection mechanisms.
This incident is yet another example of proper construction safeguards being avoided in New York City. The results of avoiding the protocol can be seen in the number of accidents and injuries that pedestrians and construction workers have suffered this year as a result of shortcomings on construction sites. We are determined to make sure that construction sites are more properly regulated and more safety mesaures are in place to avoid any further accidents or injuries or deaths.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a construction site accident, please call the lawyers at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny today for a free consultation to speak about your options and next steps. Our firm has over a century of cumulative experience in analyzing, processing, investigating and prosecuting these types of cases. Our $250 million in settlements and verdicts proves our expertise and success rate in this area. Call our office today to speak to experienced and compassionate attorneys who are here to work for you and on your behalf to make sure you get the best results from your construction accident case.
