Thousands of construction workers sustain serious injuries or are killed in accidents each year. An injury at a construction site may be due to the negligence of the owners, contractors, architects and manufacturers of equipment who are responsible for the safety of the site. The owner, general contractor and all subcontractors are required by law to provide a reasonably safe site, but unfortunately often safety is overlooked and accidents occur. Accidents such as a fall from a ladder, scaffold or other height are actionable, and the manufacturers of construction equipment may be liable for injuries that result from unsafe products. Workplace falls are the leading causes of deaths on construction sites with over 200 deaths a year from high falls off ladders and scaffolds. Dangerous products cases often involve defective scaffolding, unsafe cranes, power tools, forklifts, back hoes, and various other types of construction equipment.
Since construction workers are exposed to dangers on a daily basis, it is not surprising that they have some of the highest work related injuries, including scaffold accidents, mishandling of heavy loads, misuse of machinery and tools, exposures to various hazards including electricity, radiation, toxic material, and noise. The results of these exposures often includes damage to skin and other body parts, air embolisms, asbestos, Caisson disease, Silicosis, and many more diseases.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have set standards to help construction sites adequately protect their employees. Historically, OSHA has been unable to eliminate the number of injuries and deaths among construction workers. These statistics are evident in spite of the fact that the organization focuses a large amount of its funding into the enforcement of safety standards on construction sites.
At Garber Legal we zealously advocate on our clients’ behalf to maximize their recovery in construction-related accidents. We seek recovery against property owners, contractors, various manufacturers, engineers, and architects who may be held liable for our clients’ injuries.
If you or someone you know was injured on the job at a construction site in the New York City area, contact the law offices of GarberLegal to learn more about your legal rights and options. We will be more than happy to evaluate your case during a free and confidential consultation to determine the best way to pursue your claims while protecting and maximizing your legal interests.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries for workers, since employees are continuously exposed to numerous dangers on a daily basis. In particular, New York is a very metropolitan, urban area where multiple construction projects are simultaneously in progress, heightening the risk of construction-related accidents. Some of the types of construction accidents that commonly occur include:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Workers falling from elevated places
- Workers being struck by equipment or falling objects
- Forklift injuries
- Crane accidents
- Injuries from using power tools
- Injuries connected to the use of ladders and stairways
- Trenching and excavation-related accidents
- Electrical hazards
- Toxic exposure
For more information on different types of construction accidents and ways to prevent such accidents, please see the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) website.
Individuals/Nonemployees at Risk of Harm
In addition to construction workers, non-employees are at risk of suffering construction-related injuries as well. People who are susceptible to injuries at construction sites include an on-site visitor, passers-by, children, and other individuals who are temporarily at the site. Depending on the specific factual circumstances, these individuals might be able to file a claim and recover against the negligent party responsible for the injury.
Safety Standards
Both New York State and the federal government have regulations regarding workplace safety. These rules establish standards that employees should generally follow to protect the health and safety of their employees. New York’s Labor Law, Article 7, Section 200 provides general provisions regarding workplace safety. Additionally, under 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1926, the federal government has promulgated a series of regulations; some pertaining to the employers’ responsibilities of establishing safe construction sites for employees.
If you have been involved in a construction-related accident, it is important to obtain the assistance of an experienced construction accident lawyer. An attorney whose expertise includes construction accident cases can help you recover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact the law offices of Garber Legal to learn more about your legal rights and options. The attorney’s at GarberLegal will be more than happy to evaluate your case during a free and confidential consultation to determine the best way to pursue your claims while protecting and maximizing your legal interests.
