Construction Workers’ Accidents: Fatal fall claims life of NY man

Too many families lose loved ones on construction sites. While the importance of fall protection is a much-discussed subject, construction workers’ accidentsinvolving fatal falls continue to occur. A 44-year-old New York man died when he fell while working on the roof of a building under construction in a neighboring state only a few days before Thanksgiving.

The project is under the management of a nonprofit organization, and the deceased man was an employee of a heating and cooling company. Authorities say the worker was on the roof, busy with the installation of the air conditioning system’s vibration mats. Under the circumstances not yet determined, the worker fell 40 feet to the ground below.

Sadly, he did not survive the fall. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said an inspector was on the scene to investigate the incident. The focus will likely be on the employer’s compliance with safety regulations related to personal protective equipment. If this worker had been equipped with appropriate protection in proper working order, it would have arrested his fall and prevented his death.

Regardless of the findings of investigators, the deceased worker’s surviving family members may pursue financial relief. The workers’ compensation insurance program is a no-fault system, and it covers most employees. Death benefits are available for those who lost loved ones in construction workers’ accidents. Along with lost income coverage, the benefits typically include compensation for the expenses of end-of-life arrangements. Some New York families choose to seek the services of an experienced workers’ comp attorney to navigate the claims for them.

Source: northjersey.com, “Construction worker dies after fall from Paterson roof“, Joe Malinconico, Nov. 23, 2016