The attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy are following a fatal construction accident that took place this week at art mogul Larry Gagosian’s Upper East Side mansion.
As construction teams were rushing to complete a monstrous $70 million, four year project at the Upper East Side mansion of famed art connoisseur Larry Gagosian, an ironworker tragically fell from a ladder and later died. The victim was an employee of Koenig Iron Works. He was installing a plate under a 2nd floor balcony at the massive Manhattan home. He fell from a ladder and crashed down onto an unforgiving floor.
The unidentified worker was rushed to the hospital by emergency personnel. He had sustained multiple broken bones, severe internal injuries and, later, a heart attack. Physicians at the hospital were unable to save him. He was pronounced dead from the accident at the hospital later that day.
This is yet another construction fatality in the City of New York. Indications are that this senseless loss of life could have been avoided. Reports indicate that workers on the job were under immense pressure to complete the long-running construction project. The project was way over budget in both money and time. Workers were being told they needed to finish and finish fast. Practically speaking, when workers are under the gun to finish a project, they are compelled to take shortcuts. Shortcuts may allow work to be completed faster than contemplated, but taking them usually places hardworking folks in danger.
Investigators will be looking into this angle as a potential cause of this accident. They will also be asking whether the ladder was appropriate for the project and whether there was any personal fall protection equipment that should have protected this man.
The investigation will take time. Hopefully the answers will bring the loved ones of the victim some consolation. In the interim, our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim and his family. May they summon the strength to get through these challenging times.
Block O’Toole & Murphy is a law firm that is committed to fighting on behalf of construction accident victims. You may learn about our record of success and the significant verdicts and settlements that our firm has recovered on behalf of our clients by reviewing our website at www.blockotoole.com.