Two construction workers tragically lost their lives at JFK airport after being buried under rubble while moving utility lines. This incident emphasizes the importance of ensuring workplace safety, especially in high-risk industries such as construction.
Francisco Reyes, 41, and Fernando Lagunas Pereira, 28, were trapped under a 30-foot trench collapse at the Calpine JFK Energy Center, a power-generating plant that supplies electricity to the airport, according to The New York Times.
The accident occurred at 11:00 am, and over 60 firefighters, multiple units of police, and medics attempted to rescue the workers. Despite their efforts, both workers were pronounced dead at the scene after two hours of recovery.
Though investigations into the accident’s exact cause are still ongoing, it is evident that this is a tragic loss of life.
As legal representatives for numerous clients who have suffered injury or death in construction accidents, we understand the catastrophic consequences of such incidents for workers and their families.
Construction work is inherently dangerous, but employers and contractors have a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
This includes sufficient training, safety equipment, proper maintenance and inspection of equipment and materials. If they fail to do so, they can be held responsible for any injuries or fatalities that occur as a result.
It is unclear whether proper safety protocols were followed in the case of the JFK airport tragedy, and if the subcontractor and/or the Port Authority can be held accountable for the workers’ deaths. However, all involved parties must take immediate action to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.
Construction workers play a crucial role in constructing the structures that keep our cities and communities running. They must be safeguarded and provided with adequate safety measures to carry out their jobs without fear of harm or death.
As construction accident attorneys, we will continue to stand for the rights of construction workers and their families, and we hope that this tragedy serves as a wake-up call for all employers and contractors to prioritize workplace safety above all else.
CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS IN NYC
Each year, thousands of workers are injured or killed at New York construction sites.
Although construction companies are required under New York labor laws to inspect each site with safety engineers and implement a wide variety of safety measures, construction workers still face a greater risk of work-related injury or fatality than employees in any other U.S. industry.
New York labor laws were enacted to protect construction workers from work site-related accidents–and it’s for this reason that our firm believes that most work site accidents are avoidable and that those not following laws to protect workers should be held accountable.
Did you suffer personal injury on a construction site?
The New York construction accident lawyers at Oliveri & Schwartz advocate for their clients’ full financial recovery through detailed, meticulous preparation for trial.
If you have suffered a serious personal injury or a loved one died as a result of a construction accident, please contact our firm at 212-987-1100 to discuss your case for free!