The New York Building Collapse Attorneys at Block O’Toole are following a developing story in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.
Earlier today a passerby was seriously injured after a building under construction in Bushwick partially collapsed. The incident occurred on Flushing Avenue and Humboldt Street. The incident is currently under investigation and the condition of the unwary victim remains unknown. People take notice when a building that is under construction collapses. It is frightening because it is almost impossible for a pedestrian to protect themselves. Often, innocent victims are left to wonder how something like this could happen. Unsuspecting construction workers are frequently victims when a building collapses. They, too, are defenseless when it happens.
Construction around New York City is at an all-time high. Thus, there is an increased danger of a building collapse. People need to be vigilant and avoid walking near or working on buildings that they believe are unsafe.
Under what circumstances will you typically find a building collapse? Recently renovated homes or buildings or newly constructed homes or buildings are usually the locations most susceptible to a collapse. When a building, renovated or new, suffers from structural issues such as a design flaw or is built using improper construction materials there is a significant risk of collapse. Often, a collapse will happen during demolition or drilling, instances where the pressure on the foundation and support beams is greatest. The threat of a building collapse is also present in the older and aging buildings throughout the city that suffer from other problems such as a foundation failure, gas leak or other recurrent problems that should have been repaired.
Does it happen often? Well, many New Yorkers still remember, in March of this year a gas explosion caused a Harlem building to collapse killing eight people and injuring dozens more. Last year, on the eve of Thanksgiving, a Bronx building collapsed and injured a father and son.
Who are the people generally responsible when a building collapses? Usually, it is the professionals that are responsible for the renovation, construction and maintenance of a building. It can be a building owner, developer, contractors, safety inspectors or an architect. Occasionally, the City may be responsible if their inspections were conducted in a shoddy manner. The failures of these professionals can lead to fatal consequences. There is no such thing as a minor building collapse. If you or a loved one has been injured in a building collapse there are opportunities to hold those responsible for the safety and upkeep of a building accountable.
The lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy have been fighting for seriously injured victims for decades including building collapse victims. They have recovered almost $800,000,000 in verdicts and settlements for their injured clients. To learn more about these committed and experienced lawyers, you can review their firm website at www.blockotoole.com. For a free consultation, you can reach them at 212-736-5300.
Sources:
Building Under Construction Partially Collapses In Brooklyn, June 19, 2014 CBS New York: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/06/19/building-under-construction-partially-collapses-in-brooklyn/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Eight Dead after New York City blast, building collapse, March 14, 2014, Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/14/us-usa-newyork-collapse-idUSBREA2B11D20140314
Father And Son Injured In Building Collapse In The Bronx, November 27, 2013 by Roger Clark, NY: http://www.ny1.com/content/news/199441/father-and-son-injured-in-building-collapse-in-the-bronx/