Construction accidents are frequently covered by local media. Rarely, however, is there follow up coverage that illustrates the devastating impact that the accident has on the family members and loved ones of the victim.
Earlier this week we wrote a piece on the death of Alex Santizo, a 21-year-old man, who was killed in a Brooklyn construction accident. Santizo was hit in the head with debris after a roof collapse. He was sent spiraling out-of-control through an air shaft and propelled into the basement of the two-story building he was working at. His body was found later that day and he was pronounced dead later at a local hospital. While an investigation is ongoing, the loss of this man’s life, today, is as senseless as it was when it happened only a few days ago.
Today, The New York Daily News wrote a powerful follow-up on how Mr. Santizo’s family is dealing with the sudden loss. They interviewed the mother of the victim, Beatrice Velasquez, a 38-year-old woman whose eyes were welling up with tears as she talked about the tragedy, describing it as an accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved one’s of Mr. Santizo. Most family members are understandably at a loss for words when asked to describe how they’re feeling after losing someone so important to them. What can they really say anyway?
Family members who have lost loved ones in fatal construction accidents are also often at a loss with what their legal options are. Family members may have the ability to bring a Wrongful Death lawsuit against the people who were responsible for safety at the construction site where their loved one was killed. Handling a fatal construction accident and bringing a wrongful death claim in New York requires both compassion and skill (If you are interested in learning more about some of the nuances involving a fatal construction accident, this link is a good place to start. The right lawyer must be able to navigate you through the intricacies of the workers compensation board, the social security administration and a lawsuit. It can be overwhelming for someone who is trying to cope with a loss. It is equally challenging for an inexperienced lawyer does not have a track record in this complicated field of law.
Block O’Toole & Murphy is a law firm that boasts an impressive array of results for injured construction workers and their families. The firm has recovered nearly $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for their clients. They are frequently asked to tackle some of the most complicated construction accident cases in the entire state because of their experience and history of success. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious construction accident you may contact them at any time at 212.736.530