A Philadelphia construction accident took the life of one worker and seriously injured another. The tragic incident involved a piece of equipment known in the industry as a “drilling rig.” A construction drilling rig should not be confused with a platform of the same name used in the oil and gas industry. A construction drilling rig is used to move heavy equipment at a work site.
The fatal Philadelphia construction accident occurred when the drilling rig fell over and crushed one worker below. The rig operator was also injured in the accident.
The worker crushed by the drilling rig was taken to a local hospital where he subsequently died. The rig operator was also hospitalized, but his condition is now known at this time. There is no information available as to when the injured worker may be released or what long-term consequences he may face going forward into the future, assuming he survives (which does appear to be likely).
The names of neither Philadelphia construction accident victim have been released to the media or public. What is known is that the man killed in the accident was a 55-year-old man. Rescue workers took 15 minutes to extract the man from underneath the rig.
Passersby Were at Grave Risk
Due to the manner in which the drilling rig fell, passersby were at grave risk. Fortunately, the area happened to be temporarily free of pedestrians when the rig fell. Indeed, Philadelphia Assistant Fire Chief remarked that “it's fortunate that it was this time of the evening where this is a high traffic area during the day and it could have been a lot more potential for danger to many folks, but still there were two individuals who were hurt here so that's still tragic.”
The narrow escape afforded members of the general public in this construction site accident underscores the dangerous nature of these types of incidents. Every year, hundreds of workers as well as members of the general public are injured and killed in construction site accident that include:
- Scaffolding Collapses
- Equipment Malfunctions
- Falling Debris, Material, and Other Objects
- Slip and Fall Incidents
- Electrocutions
- Exposure to Toxic or Hazardous Substances
Building Unscared by Rig Fall
The building under construction was not damaged in anyway as a result of the drilling wig accident. Of course, the reason the building project was spared was because the rig fell outwards and into the zone of where the general public normally can be found walking and motoring.
Investigation of Philadelphia Construction Accident
An investigation is now underway as to how and who this particular Philadelphia construction accident occurred. The Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections is involved in the post-accident investigation. Fuel is leaking from the drilling rig in the aftermath of the fatal incident.
Despite the ongoing investigation and death of a worker (and serious injury of another), work has not stopped at the construction site. Work was underway the morning after the fatal accident.
Your Legal Rights After a Construction Accident
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, you need to be as proactive as possible to ensure you fully protect your vital legal rights. The first step in protecting your vital legal interests is reaching out to an experienced construction accident lawyer, like a member of The Doan Law Firm legal team.
You can reach a committed, tenacious Doan Law Firm construction accident lawyer by calling us at (800) 349-0000 any time of the day or night. Our construction accident injury hotline is staffed seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, including all major holidays. We are always here for you.
A nationwide law firm, we’ve offices in 40 cities across the country. We can also schedule a meeting at your home or any other location that works for you. A virtual case evaluation is available to you online as well. There is no charge and no obligation for a preliminary consultation and case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm construction accident attorney.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee promise to you. Our firm never charges an attorney fee unless we win your case for you. Each construction accident lawyer in our firm is dedicated to fighting tirelessly to obtain justice for you and the compensation you deserve.