People Killed in Manhattan Construction Crane Accident Latest New York Victims, Says New York Personal Injury Law Firm Gersowitz, Libo & Korek

Business Wire, March 17, 2008

NEW YORK -- A 20-story-tall construction crane toppled at a construction site on Manhattan's East Side, demolishing a four-story townhouse, killing at least five people and injuring at least 20, according to various news sources. Attorney Andrew L. Libo, a partner at the New York and New Jersey law firm Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, says that an improved inspection process could have prevented these needless deaths.

The accident happened at 303 East 51st Street, near Second Avenue about 2:20 P.M. EDT on Saturday, March 15. Shortly after the accident, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was quoted in a New York Times article that the "main place of carnage was either at the construction site - among probably all construction workers . . . and then in the small building where the top piece of the crane came crashing down and just basically flattened the four-story town house right into a mass of rubble."

Over the past few months, several residents living near the construction site complained repeatedly that the crane appeared precarious, according to Newsday.

"Our hearts go out to the victims and their families," says Andrew L. Libo, partner at the personal injury law firm Gersowitz, Libo & Korek. "Unfortunately, however, this type of accident occurs far too frequently in New York City. In the last year alone, we've had several accidents involving fatal or serious injuries. The city must improve their inspection procedures, and increase the number of inspectors and their training to prevent such fatal accidents in the future. In a densely populated city where construction projects are often close to pedestrians, New York must demand that its contractors implement more rigorous safety procedures and then hold them accountable with fines and criminal penalties for their failure to follow these procedures."

About GLK

Gersowitz, Libo & Korek (GLK) is a New York and New Jersey personal injury and medical malpractice law firm that's passionate about helping seriously injured people. Our clients are seriously injured in auto accidents, by defective products or through doctors' mistakes. They and their loved ones deserve dignity and justice, and we work hard to deliver for them. For more information, call: 1-800-LAW-9997 or visit: www.lawyertime.com.