Fatal construction accident

BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn District Attorney announced that the managers and owners of a construction company would face manslaughter as well as workers compensation fraud charges. The criminal charges arise from an incident in which a concrete wall fell on a welder and killed him. According to workcompcentral.com, the Brooklyn District Attorney said that there was neither a mistake nor an accident when the welder died. Instead, the chief prosecutor for Brooklyn said that the fatal incident occurred as a result of reckless conduct based on the refusal of those in charge of the project to place safety over money.

The Brooklyn District Attorney filed charges against seven people associated with a construction company after concluding an investigation into the fatal wall collapse. The investigation began after a 47-year-old welder was crushed by a wall that toppled on him. The criminal investigation revealed that the company’s managers knew that the wall was weak and could fall. Notwithstanding the warning, the construction company forged ahead with work on the project without the appropriate safety measures.

The charges of fraud allegedly refer to misrepresentations company authorities made about the payroll and the number of employees working for the outfit. The prosecutor’s office alleges that the company bilked the New York State Insurance Fund out of $47,000.00.

All of the defendants brought before a Brooklyn judge pleaded not guilty. They face potential imprisonment and exorbitant fines if they are found guilty. Some people argue a new law is needed on the books, called Carlos’ Law, to punish corporate entities whose practices endanger workers and make it easier to prosecute wrongdoers.

OSHA was also involved in the investigation. OSHA fined the company over $60,000.00 for failing to satisfy safety requirements. Additionally, inspectors shut down the company’s other projects across New York City including the project in which the welder was killed.