According to a Burlington fire official, six people were injured yesterday afternoon when a deck collapsed at a local home. They had gathered at the residence following a funeral when the deck that they were standing on detached from the residence, falling eight feet.
Four of the injured were taken to hospitals for treatment of cuts, scrapes, and possible broken bones following the Massachusetts fall accident. Two people received treatment at the scene.
A local building inspector is investigating the Burlington, Massachusetts deck collapse. It appears as if the wooden deck rotted away at the section where it connects to the home. Fortunately, no one was standing underneath the deck.
Deck Collapses
Unfortunately, deck collapses are not uncommon. According to the North American Deck and Railing Association, since 2003 thousands of people have been injured and a number of others killed in deck collapse accidents. It is the responsibility of the parties that construct decks to make sure that they are made safely and without defects that could make them a danger to those standing on or under a deck. It is a property owner’s responsibility to make sure that a deck doesn’t pose a Massachusetts premises liability to others. Decks must also be properly maintained to ensure that they stay safe.
Common causes of deck collapses:
• Rotted wood • Corroded hardware • Missing or weak connections • Excessive weight • Poor manufacturing • Failure to meet certain standards of safety
Deck collapses can result in serious injuries for those involved. A person standing on a deck that collapses risks sustaining scrapes, bruises, broken bones, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, and other injuries. A person standing underneath a collapsing deck may sustain head injuries, crush injuries, or spinal cord injuries. Death is also a possibility in both scenarios.
Several Injured In Deck Collapse, WCVB Boston, September 16, 2010
6 hurt in Burlington deck collapse, Boston Herald, September 16, 2010
Related Web Resources:
North American Deck and Railing Association
Proving Fault in Accidents on Dangerous or Defective Property, Nolo
To determine whether you have grounds for a Massachusetts premises liability case, contact our Boston injury law firm.