JACKSON HEIGHTS WORKER GETS THE SHAFT; FATAL ACCIDENT AND INJURY LEADS TO DEATH
From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx1; Bronx Accident Attorney)
On Friday, February 5, 2010, at about 2:00 PM, Jackson Heights resident Jozef Wilk accidentally fell to his death while working in construction on a building owned by Columbia University and located at 603 W. 129th St., in Manhattan, New York City.
Wilk was working on scaffolding outside the third floor of the building when he fell through a window and down an inside elevator shaft, sustaining a fatal injury. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
According to a N.Y.C. Department of Buildings spokesperson, several violations were issued as a result of the accident: (1) for failing to safeguard persons and property, (2) for having an open and unguarded elevator shaft, and, (3) for improperly constructed scaffolding. No criminality is suspected.
Comment: Jozef Wilk's death appeared to be the first fatal 2010 construction accident leading to death. According to the N.Y.C. Department of Buildings fatalities at building sites dropped 84%, from nineteen in year 2008 to three in year 2009.
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1Serving Bronx neighborhoods of: Baychester, Bedford Park, Belmont, Castle Hill, City Island, Clason Point, Country Club, Eastchester, Edgewater Park, Fieldston, Fordham, Hart Island, High Bridge, Hunts Point, Kings Bridge, Longwood, Melrose, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Mount Eden, Mount Hope, Norwood, Olinville, Parkchester, Pelham Bay, Port Morris, Rikers Island, Riverdale, Schuylerville, Soundview, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, Unionport, University Heights, Van Nest, Wakefield, West Farms, Westchester, Westchester Square, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn.
