Even though construction sites are heavily regulated, a considerable number of workers still sustain injuries while they’re going about their duties. Despite strict laws governing site safety, the construction industry is inherently dangerous due to the nature of the work. However, this doesn’t mean that you should accept accidents and injuries as part and parcel of your job.
If you’ve been injured at work, it’s well worth contacting a construction accident lawyer in New York. By getting legal advice, you can ensure that you obtain the compensation you’re entitled to following a workplace accident. To find out what types of incidents you can make a claim for, take a look at some of the most common causes of serious construction accidents:
1. Falls from Height
Falling from any height can cause serious injuries but, the further you fall, the more severe the consequences can be. As construction sites often consist of compacted earth or concrete, the impact of a fall from height can cause catastrophic injuries, which is why it’s so important for safety measures to be followed.
However, fall protection continues to be the most commonly cited OSHA standard to be violated in the U.S. Given the devastating consequences that this type of incident can have, it’s vital that construction companies implement effective safety measures, and that workers follow them.
2. Struck-by or Struck-against
If a construction worker is struck-by an object or struck-against an object, they’re likely to sustain some form of injury. In fact, struck-by and struck-against incidents are the largest contributor to non-fatal injuries on construction sites throughout the country.
This includes accidents in which a worker is struck-by or struck-against heavy machinery, equipment and vehicles, so it’s not surprising that people can sustain extremely serious or even life-changing injuries as a result of these types of incidents. Whether another worker makes an error, the equipment malfunctions or warning systems fail, struck-by and struck-against accidents are safely fairly common in the industry.
3. Slips, Trips and Falls
According to recent statistics, slips, trips and falls account for almost a third of non-fatal accidents on construction sites. Although a slip, trip or fall can occur in any environment, the range of hazards on a construction site, combined with uneven landscapes, means they’re a particular problem in construction environments.
Furthermore, being surrounded by heavy machinery and only having hard surfaces to land on means that slips, trips and falls on a construction site can have serious consequences for the individual affected.
Obtaining Compensation for a Construction Accident
If you’re an employee, you may be entitled to claim workers’ compensation if you sustain an injury while performing your duties. However, many contractors work on a self-employed basis, which prevents them from relying on workers’ comp. Furthermore, when an accident has been caused by negligence or recklessness, taking direct action against the person or company responsible can result in a higher payout being awarded to the injured party.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a construction accident, you may want to obtain legal advice as swiftly as possible. With help from a construction accident attorney, you can find out what your rights are and decide whether or not you want to proceed with a claim.
