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Tag Archives: falling debris

September 25, 2020 News
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Woman suffers traumatic brain injury from falling object

New York – This twenty-three year old woman was walking on a Manhattan sidewalk when she was hit in the head by a falling object. The injured woman was caught by surprise as she walked with a friend during a rain storm. Suddenly, a heavy chair flew off of a high balcony of a nearby residential building in a heavy wind. The falling debris came crashing down on the woman causing a severe head injury with serious intracranial hemorrhage or bleeding. She was rendered unconscious and bystanders called for an ambulance. Paramedics stabilized the injury victim and she was rushed to a hospital’s trauma center to undergo emergency surgery. Doctors were able to save her life and treated her severe neurological injuries along with various other wounds. The woman was hospitalized at Bellevue Hospital and continues to struggle to recover from her disabling injuries. They fear that she may have a permanent disability as a result of physical injuries. However, the neuropsychiatric and neurological injury can also leave her with permanent cognitive problems, a post-traumatic stress disorder as well as an adjustment disorder.

The woman has decided to file a personal injury lawsuit claiming negligence on behalf of the owners and residents of the apartment. The claim of negligence is based on the fact that furniture, loose objects and debris should be removed or secured to a balcony or rooftop before a wind storm can blow it over. It is the responsibility of home owners and building managers to maintain basic safety standards to prevent injury or wrongful death. You can see more about this horrifying accident with injuries here.

Illustrative Photo Credit: MilitaryHealth [License]

March 18, 2020 News
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Wall collapse kills construction worker and injured another victim

New York – Queens, NY was the scene of a construction accident recently. The wall collapse occurred in an area where demolition is being planned to clear the zone for new construction. Reports show that there were construction work vehicles or trucks in the area but it was unclear if active work was underway during the incident. The accident caused one construction worker to be crushed under the falling debris. That man suffered serious accident injuries and ended up dying at the hospital after doctors were unable to revive him. Another accident victim suffered serious leg injuries from debris and bricks that apparently hit him. The full details of his injuries are unclear at this point. However, trauma specialists explain that a crush injury of the legs like this can cause broken bones or fractures, soft tissue damage, injuries or lacerations to blood vessels such as arteries and veins but can also lead to nerve damage and long-term disability. A crush injury of other parts of the body can cause traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage or lacerations and a collapsed lung, known as a pneumothorax. Find out further details about this wall collapse accident here.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo Courtesy: Bernard Spragg. NZ [License]

March 03, 2020 News
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George Washington Bridge driver suffers head injury from flying debris

New York – A piece of metal went flying through the air and slammed into the windshield of a car, causing a serious head injury to the driver. It is unclear about where exactly the metal debris fell from but it is believed that the metal broke off from or flew out of the back of a dump truck. Falling debris has long been a concern of drivers on busy highways, especially for those travelling behind construction vehicles, dump trucks and garbage trucks that often transport dangerous garbage and loose debris. If the load is not properly contained or tied down, the combination of high speeds, wind and bumpy roads with potholes can be a recipe for disaster. In addition, there is concern that this piece of metal may have broken off of a truck that underwent improper maintenance. However, some feel that this metal object could have been kicked up from the ground after the truck struck a piece of roadside garbage. This dangerous condition requires constant cleaning of garbage and debris from public roadways by state and local government staff to prevent a car crash or injury such as this.

The driver of the car that was hit by the object was rushed from the scene by ambulance to a trauma center. He suffered a severe head injury with possible traumatic brain injury (TBI) according to injury specialists. Doctors will need to perform additional testing, including CAT scan and possible MRI scans to further evaluate the car accident victim’s condition. A TBI can cause mild problems such as a simple concussion with post-concussion symptoms like headaches, dizziness and memory problems. However, more serious cases can include loss of consciousness, vomiting, visual disturbances and even intracranial bleeding. The latter problem of a brain bleed may necessitate emergency neurosurgery. All of these types of TBI can lead to permanent injury and even disability. See this article for more about this truck accident on the George Washington Bridge in New York City.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo Credit: Keith [License]

January 27, 2020 News
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Wind turbine blade breaks off and crashes into car

New York – Alternative energy sources are becoming ever popular in the past years, leading to concern regarding public safety and potential improper maintenance issues. Only a few weeks ago a tall and powerful wind turbine in the Bronx suffered a dangerous breakdown. A blade from the wind turbine tower broke off and collapsed onto the parking area and road below. This has led to concerns by public safety advocates who decry the race to put together new technologies as fast as possible. Some claim that large companies and even some private investors have raced to build things such as wind turbines without proper safety practices in place, all in an effort to earn profits. They note that businesses have looked toward the profits without considering the hazardous condition that can be created, especially in residential and urban areas. Land is expensive and some real estate developers have looked toward new technologies such as turbines being placed in close proximity to homes, stores and parks. However, the potential for disaster with collapse, falling debris, faulty parts and poor safety practices is very real and must be considered carefully when planning and building such technologies. Cell phone towers have also been discussed as a potential health and safety hazard in residential areas according to specialists. Many zoning and health councils have discussed the potential of cell phone towers causing cancer and the debates continue. Some see the discussion of constructing wind turbines in heavily populated areas as yet another dangerous situation that needs to be addressed by city officials. They feel that accident injuries can easily occur if broken pieces of debris collapse and fall on a pedestrian or building or if it causes a car crash. Restrictive planning along with intense safety inspections and constant maintenance is necessary to prevent injuries or wrongful death. You can see this article for more details.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo Credit: Bill Smith [License]