Top Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction zones are dangerous places. Construction accidents can cause severe injuries, such as permanent disability, loss of a limb, traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury, blindness, and more. Proper use of safety equipment, careful site management, and attentive supervision are required to protect construction workers from these serious injuries.

If you are a construction worker who was injured on the job in New York, workers’ compensation will cover your medical expenses and lost wages. However, workers’ comp does not always fully compensate an injured worker for permanent losses and disability arising from a serious accident. The New York City construction accident lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. are dedicated to helping accident victims get the workers’ comp benefits, settlement, or verdict they deserve. If your construction site injury was caused by a defective tool or machine, you might have a defective product liability claim. Inadequate safety precautions, dangerous design, or construction management errors can result in other areas of liability.

The New York construction accident lawyers at Finz & Finz P.C. provide experienced legal representation for those who have suffered injuries on a construction site. We will examine and investigate your injury claim from every angle. Often, the medical bills associated with serious construction injuries are extremely costly, and there may be a long period of disability and lost wages. Our compassionate attorneys are ready to help in any way they can during this difficult time for you.

Common causes of construction accidents

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous in New York. When employers fail to follow safety regulations, construction workers are put at an even greater risk.

Common causes of construction accidents in New York include:

Falls. Falls are the most frequent cause of serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites. Many of the severe injuries and deaths that result from falls can be prevented. Construction workers can fall off roofs, scaffolding, cranes, elevator shafts, and other platforms. Falls can be the result of holes in the flooring as well.

Heavy machinery. Heavy machinery is common on construction sites. Machines like bulldozers, forklifts, cranes, and scaffolds can cause injuries when not used properly.

Electrocution. Construction sites may contain many sources of electricity, which can be dangerous. Wires may deliver deadly shocks to workers who lack protection when the electricity should not have exposed the workers.

Falling Objects. Construction sites generally pose a risk for falling objects. Workers must always be aware of the possibility of falling objects and should wear proper protective gear like hard hats to protect their heads. Tools, building materials, debris, and other objects can accelerate when they are falling, and these objects can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries. While there are some cases where falling objects are accidental and no one is to blame, they can also be the result of negligence or recklessness. Employers have a duty to make the job site is as safe as possible.

Caught-In or Caught-Between. Construction workers are regularly exposed to dangerous situations that result in cave-ins, getting crushed between large objects, or getting caught in machinery. Many caught-in or caught-between accidents involve injuries or even fatalities from contact with machinery with exposed parts, being buried by large objects or debris, and getting pinned between two objects.

Exposure to Harmful Chemicals and Other Materials. Construction sites often have many harmful chemicals and other materials. This means there is a high risk of exposure to harmful materials, which may include breathing in toxic materials like carbon monoxide and solvents containing carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). When a worker comes in contact with these substances, they may sustain lung damage or inhalation injuries. The exposure could cause long-term conditions, such as chronic lung disease or cancer.

Explosions and Fires. At many construction sites, there’s a chance that workers will be exposed to gas leaks, unfinished pipe installations, and bad wiring, all of which may contribute to fires and explosions. Employers have an obligation to keep the job site as safe as possible. That’s one reason all construction sites should be inspected regularly, as a way to avoid fires and explosions.

Defective equipment. Defective construction equipment can cause serious harm to construction workers. Many types of defective construction equipment can cause serious injury, including but not limited to:

• Defective forklifts
• Defective cranes
• Defective cherry pickers
• Defective power tools
• Defective jackhammers

Over the years, there have been many lawsuits filed related to exposure to asbestos in construction materials such as insulation. Cases like these could give rise to product liability claims.

Common Construction Accident Injuries

Accidents on the job site can cause construction workers to sustain a variety of injuries, including but not limited to:

• Burn injuries
• Eye injury, including blindness
• Broken bones
• Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
• Brain injuries (TBIs)
• Respiratory diseases
• Amputation
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Neck and shoulder injuries
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including damage that can cause paralysis
• Sensory loss
• Heatstroke
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Illnesses caused by toxic chemical exposure
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

At Finz & Finz P.C., our New York construction accident lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured workers and their families. Our highly skilled and compassionate lawyers will handle all aspects of your workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit so that you can focus on your recovery.

Contact a New York Construction Accident Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured in a New York construction accident, you could be owed workers’ compensation or financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Don’t hire just any firm. Turn to the highly skilled and experienced New York City injury attorneys at Finz & Finz P.C.

For decades, we have been committed to protecting the rights of injured workers throughout New York and Long Island. We are prepared to put our skills, experience, and resources to work for you. Schedule a free consultation online or by calling Finz & Finz P.C. at 855-TOP-FIRM today.