Workplace Accident - Scaffolding Injury
A man fell from scaffolding while he was painting the canopy of an underground railway tunnel. He was working on the top level of the scaffold when a coworker crossed to his side, causing the scaffold to tip. He fell eight feet onto the train platform, injuring his shoulder, back and knee. Over the next five years, he had three surgeries and was unable to return to work after the accident.
Bryce Moses filed a suit against the Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), arguing that they did not provide safety devices to make the scaffold stable. MTA/LIRR filed a third-party suit against the painting company alleging that it was their responsibility to ensure safety onsite. The case was settled in the middle of trial. The painting company paid $1.4 Million and the MTA/LIRR paid $900,000.