March 25 marks the 100^th anniversary of the deadly fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York, which left 146 employees dead.  For workplace safety advocates and Houston work injury attorneys, the anniversary is also the right time to reflect on the advances that we still need to make towards workplace safety for all.

In all, there were about 500 employees on the factory, which was situated on the 8^th, 9^th and 10^th floors of a building in New York.  The employees were on their way out of the building when the fire erupted.  The factory owners had locked the doors, and this added to the casualties.  The women tried to claw their way out through the locked doors, and when they couldn’t, many of them jumped to their deaths.  At the end of the carnage, 146 workers, mostly female immigrants, were dead.

Soon after this horrible accident, the factory owners were indicted for manslaughter, but they were acquitted.  The acquittal of the factory owners had unions and organizers taking to the streets, demanding greater protections for workers in the workplace.  In many ways, this horrible accident paved the way for many of the workplace protections that workers currently enjoy.  It also paved the way for workers’ compensation reform, allowing workers to claim compensation for injuries sustained as a result of industrial accidents.

This month will see a number of commemorative events to remember those who died that fateful day.  If you are in the New York City area this week, I would encourage you to visit one of the many exhibits, seminars, lectures and discussions that are being held as part of the commemoration.

Vuk Vujasinovic is a Board Certified Houston personal injury attorney who practices Houston auto accident and other personal injury cases.

For more info on how Vuk can help you with your potential case please call him at (877) 724-7800 or fill out the contact form on the right.

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