Manslaughter Charges Filed After Brooklyn Construction Accident Claims A Life

The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, has announced that two companies and three people have been charged with manslaughter, while another company and three individuals are facing lesser charges, all associated with the deadly construction accident that claimed the life of a man in September 2018.

Prosecutors Believe Wall Collapse Should Have Been Prevented  

According to court documents, Luiz Sanchez Almonte was killed on September 12th, 2018 when he was buried under the heavy weight of bricks when a wall collapsed. It took a full day for rescue workers to recover his body from under the rubble.

While construction accidents occur on a regular basis the difference in this case, according to prosecutors, is that the subcontractor willfully ignored a specific cave in warning that was issued not long before the collapse.

In addition to this, the subcontractor and those responsible had been told by their employees that the working conditions were dangerous. A neighbor behind the site had also informed them that her patio and garden had collapsed, believing it to be connected to the ongoing construction. Despite this, the subcontractor ordered the employees to continue working and did not halt work to assess the situation.

Additionally, the subcontractor also has a criminal history of a construction related incident involving bribery.

District Attorney Gonzalez hopes that these charges will not only help the family of Almonte feel a sense that justice has been served but will also inspire other negligent contractors to do what is right and to follow safety regulations.

These criminal charges aren't the only legal complaints that the defendants could face. The surviving loved ones of Almonte also have the right to take legal action against those responsible.

Death Benefits Available Through Workers' Compensation 

When a worker dies in a job related accident, their loved ones can recover some compensation through workers' comp. While these benefits certainly don't make up for their loss, it can help to ensure that the family isn't impacted financially.

Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit could potentially be filed against the negligent party. This lawsuit can provide additional compensation and send a message that negligence will not be tolerated.

To learn more about workers' comp and wrongful death lawsuits, contact one of our local law offices today.

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