A 35-year-old New Jersey construction worker was injured after the roof of an apartment in Hamilton Township that he and several other coworkers were working on collapsed. The workers were loading roofing materials on the roof above the apartment when the roof collapsed, causing one of the workers to fall through the roof, according to a report posted on an ABC News website.
A fire department rescue team arrived at the scene to search for the worker after fellow employees called 911. The fire department Chief stated that the construction worker was found in the attic under a pile of debris including approximately 10 sheets of plywood and three tons of other roofing materials.
It took 45 minutes for rescue workers to extricate the man from the building, and he appeared to have not suffered serious injuries. No other workers or residents that were in the building at the time of the accident were injured in the roof collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be inspecting the apartment, which is now unstable, causing the two families who live there to seek temporary shelter assistance from the Red Cross.
While the cause of the roof collapse is currently unknown, there are multiple reasons for why the accident may have occurred. If it is found that a contractor or sub-contractor had the roof loaded with too much material, resulting in the roof collapse, those contractors may be liable for the injuries and damages that resulted from the accident.
Being injured in a work-related accident can cause serious physical and financial consequences for a New Jersey resident. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries while on the job, get in touch with the New Jersey construction injury lawyers at Blume Forte and learn more about your potential options. Contact us at 973-845-4421 and receive a no-cost consultation.