New York City Construction Ceiling Collapse Attorneys

New York City Construction Site Roof and Ceiling Collapses

In New York City, construction is booming, with high rise apartments, skyscrapers, office buildings, and condominiums being built in record numbers. With the construction of new buildings comes a slate of new construction jobs that require workers to risk their lives on a daily basis. Many of these construction projects are associated with poor supervision, hazardous conditions, and a lack of proper safety equipment, as well as pressure on employees to work in unsafe environments.

Common construction site accidents that our personal injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP see are ceiling, roof, and wall collapses. Construction workers often work on buildings that are only partially completed. These environments contain such hazards as half-built walls, poorly secured ceilings, faulty plumbing within walls, shoddy construction, and unsafe architectural plans. These conditions can contribute to the collapse of a ceiling, wall, or roof. If you or a loved one has been injured in such an accident, our firm can help you file a personal injury claim. We will review your accident, answer your questions, explain the law, and discuss your options. To speak with a skilled and experienced New York City construction accident attorney, call us at (212) 986-7353.

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Common Causes of Ceiling and Wall Collapses

Construction foremen often pressure workers to cut corners and work quickly under unsafe conditions in order to finish projects on time and within budget. These practices put lives at risk. Though construction is a heavily regulated industry in New York, ceiling, roof, and wall collapses still occur. Below are some frequent causes of such accidents.

Improperly secured walls or ceilings: A wall or ceiling without proper support may succumb to gravity or weight placed on it, collapsing and crushing those next to or underneath it.

Falling debris: Heavy debris or equipment such as steel rods may be accidentally dropped, landing on the roof and causing it to collapse.

Malfunctioning equipment: Machine or operator error of large construction equipment may cause the wall to topple or roof to come crashing down.

Plumbing and duct issues: Pipes and air ducts are often installed in walls and ceilings. If installed improperly, the weight of the pipes or ducts may cause collapse. In addition, water damage caused by a leak may result in an unexpected collapse.

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Common Ceiling Collapse Injuries

The nature and severity of the injuries will vary, based on multiple factors, such as whether the worker was wearing a helmet. However, common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Neck and spinal injuries
• Amputations
• Impalement
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Joint injuries
• Lacerations

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Proving Liability in a Construction Accident Case

Construction accident cases fall under personal injury law, which provides compensation for victims of negligence. Construction operations commonly involve a network of parties, including developers, architects, landowners, tenants, construction companies, machinery manufacturers, insurance companies, and more. The plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty of care toward the plaintiff. Often times, there are multiple responsible defendants in a construction accident case, such as the construction company responsible for supervising the labor and the architectural company responsible for the faulty blueprints. The plaintiff must prove that the defendant(s) breached the duty of care to maintain a safe construction site, free of dangerous conditions. This can be established, for example, by proving a lack of proper supervision or safety gear. The plaintiff will need to demonstrate that the responsible parties either knew or should have known of the dangerous condition and did not fix it.

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Consult with a Skilled New York City Ceiling Collapse Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one was injured by a sudden and unexpected ceiling collapse at a construction site, contact the experienced and dedicated New York City personal injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP now to schedule a free consultation at (212) 986-7353.

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Additional Information

• Building or Ceiling Collapse Liability: Who’s Responsible?
• Main Causes of Construction Site Wall Collapse Injuries
• Snow and Ice May Crush NYC Roofs
• Roofers Have the 4th Most Dangerous Job in the US
• Who Is Liable for Faulty Materials?