Two construction workers in New Jersey suffered injuries from an accident that occurred at Morristown Municipal Airport on Jan. 16. According to local police, a hanger that was being built at 6 Airport Road collapsed and injured the two workers.
Authorities say that there were steel beams in place, and the hanger was only partially constructed at the time of the incident occurred. A 35-year-old employee fell from above and suffered serious injuries to his leg. He was in stable condition when he was brought to Morristown Medical Center after receiving treatment from EMS. The second worker, 37, suffered minor bruises on his arm, and he was brought to the hospital for an evaluation.
The owner of the building stated that Varco Pruden designed the hangar and that the company hired an approved steel erector to complete the job. In addition to police, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration attended the scene to help investigate the cause of the accident.
Employees who suffer injuries at the workplace may benefit from contacting a legal professional. With the aid of a lawyer, an injured worker might be able to make the most appropriate course of action. For instance, if a workers’ compensation claim is filed, an employee could seek recovery for lost wages, medical expenses and vocational rehabilitation if needed. However, when such a claim is filed by an injured worker, he or she may not later file a lawsuit against the employer. In rare cases, though, a lawsuit may be warranted if the employer was criminally negligent in causing the injury.
Source: NJ.com, “Worker seriously injured when airport hangar collapses, police say,” Justin Zaremba, Jan. 16, 2015
