Massachusetts fall accidents from elevated heights can lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death. This is why it is so important that property owners, premise supervisors, and other responsible parties make sure that there are no hazardous conditions or situations that can lead to catastrophic falls.
On May 2, Devon Burgess, a former wrestler and all-star lineman for Nauset Regional High School, died when he was injured during a Cambridge fall accident. The 26-year-old was attending a party at an apartment building when he fell off the edge of the flat rooftop.
There was no railing around the sides of the roof. Burgess’s girlfriend says that on the night of the party, a lantern was hung from a tree branch to illuminate the roof edge but that the light may have gone out. She says that Burgess found the branch, which gave way, and that was when he fell. He was killed instantly.
Also that day, Watertown resident Chris Civali, 27, died when he fell from the sliding door located on either the second floor or the third floor of a building. He suffered fatal head injuries. There was no stairwell or balcony on the other side of the door.
Fall Accidents
Unfortunately, fall accidents from elevated heights are not uncommon. If you read the news daily, you will likely see an article about someone who was recently hurt or killed when he/she fell off a building, crane, ladder, staircase, or through a window. This is why it is important that premise owners make sure that the proper safety measures are in place to minimize the chances that a fall accident will happen. Even slip and fall accidents, which usually occur at ground level, can lead to painful, debilitating, and catastrophic injuries.
Former Nauset all-star dies in fall, Cape Cod Online, May 4, 2010 http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100504/NEWS/5040330/-1/NEWS01
Brookline Police: 27-year-old man dies after fall, Wicked Local, May 3, 2010
Related Web Resource:
Premises Liability Overview, Justia
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