July 21, 2014

Gym-Goer Injured in Construction Accident When Chisel Shatters Window

Posted in Construction Accidents, Personal Injury

A construction accident recently caused a gym patron severe injuries when the chisel from a jackhammer used at a construction site flew through the gym’s plate-glass window, according to a recent article in the New York Post.

The injured woman was getting in her morning workout at an Upper East Side fitness center when the jackhammer chisel – a piece of steel about two feet long and weighing 10 pounds – smashed through the gym’s front window, showering the woman with broken glass.  She suffered cuts to her hand, foot, and arm, and required medical treatment at a local hospital. The construction company that caused the gym-goer’s injuries should pay for her medical bills and other expenses.

According to investigators, the gym-goer avoided more serious injuries by moving to her left just before the accident occurred.  Had she stayed in her original position, she might have been killed by the flying chisel.

The chisel came from a construction site for a transfer station, which has already stirred controversy in the neighborhood, according to the New York Post.  All work at the construction site has stopped until the accident investigation is complete and authorities know what caused the chisel to come loose and go flying through the air.

Area residents are concerned that if work continues on the construction site, more people will be injured.  One area resident noted that opposite the gym stands a recreation area, where children regularly play and could be seriously injured if a similar accident occurs again.

Construction sites can be dangerous for those who live, work, or travel near them.  Ways to help protect yourself if you live or work near a construction site include:

• Staying alert.  Avoid distraction from cell phones and other items, and pay attention to what’s going on at the construction site.
• Slowing down.  Whether you’re in a car or on foot, proceed slowly so you can identify potential hazards in plenty of time to avoid them.
• Following all posted signs and warnings.  If a sign says the sidewalk is closed, cross to the other side of the street or take other steps to avoid the area.
• Planning a new route.  If you must travel through a construction site daily, consider creating a new route temporarily so you can avoid the construction, reducing your stress level and lowering your risk of injury and the risks to workers on the site.

Construction workers face one of the highest rates of on-the-job injury in the United States, along with manufacturing and mining workers.

Construction sites and the surrounding areas can pose hazards to others as well, including pedestrians, motorists, and people in surrounding buildings.  When a person passing by is injured in a construction accident, he or she cannot turn to workers’ compensation the way an injured employee can.  Often, seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit is the injured person’s only option.

At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, our experienced NYC construction accident attorneys can help you protect your legal rights as we pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.