In early December, a 38-year-old construction worker was tragically killed when an industrial air conditioning unit crushed him in the Bronx. Tristan Mananghaya of Jersey City, New Jersey reportedly died when a 40-foot air conditioner slid off of a flatbed truck as it was being moved by a crane at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. Buildings Department Spokesperson Tony Sclafani said workers failed to secure the unit to the flatbed prior to moving it. Sadly, the air conditioner purportedly slid off of the flatbed and landed on top of Mananghaya as he guided the crane operator.
An accident witness, 22-year-old Joseph Contreras, said the accident happened suddenly. Contreras added that it appeared Mananghaya died instantly. It reportedly took firefighters about an hour to remove the unit from on top of Mananghaya. Tragically, the father of four was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The exact cause of the fatal incident is currently under investigation by New York's Buildings Department and the nation's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It is unclear whether Mananghaya's employer, Aggreko Corporation, or the company that transported the unit, C&L Towing, is responsible for the man's death.
OSHA was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in an effort to reduce the number of workplace wounds and deaths suffered by employees throughout the United States. The Act requires employers to comply with specific health and safety requirements such as training, and provide employees with information regarding safety hazards and access to safety test results. In addition, employers must offer a working environment that is reasonably free of health or safety hazards. When a severe or deadly workplace incident occurs, OSHA will normally conduct an investigation into the conditions at the accident site.
Sadly, workers in the construction industry normally face dangerous working environments every day. Each year, construction site accidents injure or kill thousands of workers throughout the United States. Although workplace injuries in New York are normally subject to state workers' compensation laws, a third party, such as the transportation company in this case, may also be held liable for failing to utilize sufficient health and safety measures. If you were harmed or a loved one was killed while working at a New York construction site, an experienced personal injury attorney can help.
At Korngut Paleudis LLC, our skilled Bronx personal injury lawyers are available to assist clients who were hurt in an unexpected construction accident. Out thoughtful attorneys are here to help injured workers receive the compensation they deserve based upon the severity of their injuries. With more than 45 years of combined experience, our dedicated advocates represent individuals located in both New York and New Jersey. To discuss your case with a hardworking construction accident lawyer today, please call Korngut Paleudis LLC at (212) 835-6768 in New York City. You may also contact our qualified attorneys through the law firm's website.
Industrial size air conditioner plunges from crane, killing 38-year-old man, by Rocco Parascandola, Denis Slattery, Greg B. Smith, and Stephen Rex Brown, New York Daily News