The first tower of the newly reconstructed World Trade Center opened in November, 2014, but, according to an investigation by the New York Daily News, the rebirth of the first tower came with significant hidden costs–serious injuries to scores of workers, injuries that were not reported to OSHA.
The Daily News investigation concluded that at least 34 workers suffered major injuries that were not reported, including broken bones, spinal trauma and hip and joint injuries. One construction worker suffered a blow to the head from a 60 pound bundle of rebar. Another fell 20 feet when the scaffolding he was working on fell apart.
The Daily News investigation acknowledged that, relatively speaking, the job site was a safe one. Only two workers were killed during the 10-year construction process. Advocates for injured workers contend, however, that as the project moved toward completion, pressures to accelerate the construction process caused injury rates to jump. The statistics support those allegations.
During the last three years of construction, the accident rate at the project consistently exceeded the accident rate at construction sites across New York. In 2010, when the New York average was 4.4 injuries per 100 workers, the World Trade Center project saw 5.18 injuries per 100 workers. In 2011, the World Trade Center injury rate (6.45) was nearly two injuries per 100 above the average (4.7 per 100).
OSHA officials had no explanation for why the injuries were never reported.
Contact the New Brunswick Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr
At the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr, we have fought for the rights of personal injury victims in central New Jersey for more than four decades. We carefully choose the cases we handle, so that we can provide the highest levels of service and personal attention to each client. We are also happy to take over your case, if your first lawyer does not seem to have your best interests in mind.
To set us a free initial consultation, send us an e-mail or call our office at 732-537-8570.
