Freak Accident Kills Parking Garage Attendant
Unusual accidents, what we commonly hear referred to as “freak” accidents happen in a variety of ways. When strange circumstances and eerie timing come together, the result is often tragic. Such is the case of the Lower Manhattan parking garage attendant who was killed last week in a work accident.
According to CBS New York, Victor Viscaino was working at the Icon parking garage on Barclay Street when the accident occurred. The garage is a lift-type garage, where vehicles are raised into spaces with a hydraulic lift. Viscaino was standing underneath the lift when an SUV rolled off and crushed him.
Investigators were looking into the cause of the accident, though it’s believed the SUV may not have been secured per Icon policy.
Viscaino had worked at the garage for years and his death shook many of his customers. They remarked on what a good man and hard worker he was, and how much he would be missed.
“It’s crazy. When I couldn’t get down the block this morning to park the car, I do have his cell number on me and I was going to call him to see if there was any way he could get me into the garage later or something,” said customer Gerard Marini.
We all take risks at our jobs. Even those of us who work in an office setting run the risk of falling or receiving an electric shock from a piece of technology. But, those who work in the construction and labor fields face far more risks.
Some jobs are inherently dangerous. Viscaino’s job could be seen as one of those—where he was underneath vehicles often that, when they fell, could (and did) prove fatal. It’s these jobs that supervisors and company officials have to ensure a particular level of safety. Workers deserve to go home to their families every night in the same conditions they left.
When a worker is hurt on the job, someone has to be held accountable for the situation that led to their injury—whether it’s faulty equipment or lack of training.
Many times, when someone is involved in a workplace accident, they dust themselves off, so to speak, and keep going. Many times, they are afraid of losing their job. But it’s important that injured construction workers know—they have rights and these rights deserve protection.
If you’ve been hurt on the job, the attorneys at Omrani & Taub may be able to help. You can contact our offices for a free consultation and to discuss your rights. We can be reached at 212-529-7847 (that’s 212-LAWSUIT).
