Worker dies in industrial accident after crane collapses at jersey city rail facility

A worker at a Jersey City rail and shipping facility died after a crane collapsed, causing a container to crush the machine on which he was working.

The tragic industrial accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. at the Norfolk Southern Facility, which is located at 125 County Road in Jersey City, New Jersey. According to witnesses, the victim was in the process of using a motorized container handler to lift a massive storage container high above the ground when something went terribly wrong. The container reportedly fell directly on top of the victim’s cab, crushing the machine and the victim.

The Jersey City Police Department and the Jersey City Fire Department dispatched officers to the scene, where they found the victim buried underneath a pile of rubble. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

This isn’t the first time something has gone terribly wrong at the worksite. In 2014, H&M International Transportation was reportedly cited by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a safety violation at the Norfolk Southern Facility. The safety citation stemmed from an OSHA inspection that found that workers at the rail yard “were exposed to crushing hazards during removal of container boxes.

Initial reports from Jersey City officials who are leading the investigation into the most recent accident indicate that the wire on the lift that was being used by the victim may have snapped, causing the crane to collapse and the container to drop to the ground. As a result, it is possible that the victim’s loved ones could potentially file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the crane that collapsed at the Jersey City work site. The potential defendants in a wrongful death case could include the manufacturer of the crane or any outside company that was hired to maintain the crane.

For further information about this tragic accident, read the New Jersey News 12 article, “Jersey City Worker Died after Container, Crane Collapses.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a construction accident, it is imperative that you talk to a qualified personal injury attorney immediately. The experienced Jersey City NJ Accident Attorney at Team Law can help you get compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation about your case.