Posted: November 12, 2014
As the New Jersey construction accident lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh know, some dangers are expected in a construction zone. But Gary Anderson, a 58-year-old delivery man, was killed in an unexpected freak accident at a construction site last week. He was delivering sheet rock to the site of a residential high-rise building being constructed in Jersey City, NJ, when a one-pound tape measure struck him in the head.
Anderson arrived at the construction site just before 9 a.m. the morning of the accident. The tape measure fell about 400 feet, from the belt of a worker on the 50th story of the building, hit a piece of metal a few feet higher than Anderson’s head, and took a bounce to strike his head. Anderson left his safety helmet in his truck, taking the hit unprotected. Anderson was rushed to the hospital but died around 10 a.m. – an hour after he arrived at the construction site.
The building under construction, located at 70 Christopher Columbus Drive, is a nearly-completed luxury high-rise by developer Ironstate Development. It is to contain a hotel and two rental buildings. Expected to symbolize the revitalization of downtown Jersey City, the building will feature a roof deck with pool and tennis court. Construction was halted immediately after the accident.
NJ construction accident lawsuit liability
Construction sites are inherently dangerous, leading to more fatal injuries than all other industries. Each day in this country, there are almost 6.5 million people working on construction sites alongside heavy equipment, explosives, and scaffolding. These workers are surrounded by hazards like falling objects (such as the tape measure that took the life of Gary Anderson), equipment failure and structure collapses, and falls from dangerous heights.
With so many dangers, it is crucial to follow safety protocols. The legal liability for construction accidents can depend on a handful of factors like who had access to the site, who created the danger that caused the accident, and what kinds of precautions the worker took to protect him or herself. In addition, state-specific statutes of limitations set a deadline to file a NJ construction accident lawsuit.
There are also laws determining potential defendants when filing a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey regarding construction accident injuries.
Eisbrouch Marsh, New Jersey construction accident lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation. If successful, you may be able to recover for pain and suffering, past and future medical bills, and lost wages due to the inability to work. If the accident resulted in death, compensation may also include funeral costs and lost future earnings. Our NJ construction accident lawyers can review your case to discuss the full scope of your options.
The lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh are thorough and dedicated. We will perform a complete investigation to determine all aspects of both liability and damages. We will use our more than 20 years of experience in personal injury litigation to lobby on your behalf for a full and fair settlement. If a settlement will not provide all the compensation you deserve, we will take your case to a jury. Call us today for a free consultation.
Resources
- NY Daily News, Man making delivery at Jersey City construction site killed by tape measure dropped from building’s 50th floor, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/delivery-man-killed-freak-job-site-accident-article-1.1997887
- NY Times, Falling Tape Measure Kills Man at Jersey City Construction Site, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/04/nyregion/falling-tape-measure-kills-man-at-jersey-city-construction-site.html?_r=0
- United States Department of Labor, Worker Safety Series: Construction, https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html
