A water company employee was fatally injured in a construction accident as he tried to repair a fire hydrant in Watchung, N.J., the Echoes-Sentinel reported. The man was knocked unconscious when the hydrant’s pipe burst. He was taken to a hospital but died of his injuries several days later.

In New Jersey and across the nation, fire hydrants are often faulty. The National Fire Protection Association says that public and private fire hydrants should be tested and certified every year, with some communities requiring semiannual inspections. Too often, the testing is not carried out.

“Many towns and businesses throughout the Central New Jersey area are currently non-compliant with NFPA fire hydrant operational requirements, putting residents and first responders in danger and leaving the property owner open to criminal and civil action,”

a company that develops emergency plans for government and businesses said in a 2011 article in National News Today.

And as NJ.com reported recently, a consulting firm told the Newark City Council that the city’s antiquated water and sewer infrastructure had led to defective fire hydrants, among other woes. However, as in other parts of the country, elected leaders are reluctant to raise utility rates to pay for costly repairs.

Personal Injury Lawyers at Ginarte

The New York and New Jersey injury lawyers at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., have extensive experience representing personal injury victims. If you or a family member has been injured due to faulty infrastructure or someone’s neglect, contact our office at 1 (888) GINARTE for a free consultation so we can fight for your legal rights.