Kingston: Rot in wood decks just a few years old could cause collapses | DENENA | POINTS

Kingston: Rot in wood decks just a few years old could cause collapses

Deck collapse injury lawyers note that a 12-foot high wooden deck in midtown Kingston, NY collapsed on Friday night. The deck was identified as being between 6 and 8 years old.

Initials reports indicated that up to 8 people had been injured in the collapse. Only one person, a woman who was a tenant in a 2nd floor unit in the building, had to be hospitalized for injuries. The other victims of the sudden collapse were her neighbors.

Another deck stood below the collapsed deck and may have helped to break the victims’ fall and minimize their injuries. No one was on the 1st floor deck when the 12-foot high deck collapsed.

Reports indicated that the 2nd floor deck mostly detached from the house but did not completely fall. The house, between Prospect St. and Broadway in midtown Kingston, NY, was listed as belonging to a John O’Rourke. O’Rourke’s father apparently lives on the 1st floor of the house. News accounts indicated that rotten wood in the upper deck might have been the cause of the dangerous deck collapse accident. But the house itself remained undamaged by the incident.

Our deck collapse injury lawyers reiterate that the deck that collapsed was less than 10 years old, perhaps even as young as 6 years old. For deck safety, many recommend that decks be replaced at least every 20 years. But weather conditions, nearness to the sea and ever present humidity, and other variables can increase the rate at which the wood in your deck ages or rots.

As this injury accident in Kingston indicates, you can’t rely on estimates regarding the age of your deck for safety. Thorough yearly inspections are a key element to your safety and the safety of your guests on your deck.

Learn about some key elements for maintaining deck and balcony safety in our deck collapse injury lawyers’ report on the subject. The report is available free to our readers for download from this web page.