Construction Site Accidents

Construction Site Injuries in New York

Construction work zones and sites are full of hazards. The majority of construction site employees work with heavy machinery and dangerous tools and equipment, in addition to performing tasks at unsafe heights. According to the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one out of every five worker fatalities in 2018 occurred in the construction industry. The leading causes of death include falling (33.5% of deaths), being struck by an object (11.1% of deaths), getting electrocuted (8.5% of deaths), and getting caught in between two pieces of equipment or heavy materials (5.5% of deaths). OSHA estimates that by eliminating these “Fatal Four” incidents, the lives of almost six hundred workers could be saved each year.

Even though construction sites are hazardous zones, employers and construction companies who employ workers are still legally responsible for ensuring that the workplace meets reasonable safe conditions and protocols. If a worker will be performing a task more than six feet in the air, for example, OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection in the form of scaffolds, regulation ladders, and safety gear like harnesses. Additionally, the employer has the responsibility of training workers in proper set-up and safe usage of equipment and how to recognize potential hazards on the job. When employers and construction companies are careful to follow OSHA guidelines to increase worker safety, many on-site deaths are prevented.

In return for increased safety regulations and protocols, workers should carry out their duties with caution. However, even the most cautious construction worker can still encounter unfortunate catastrophic injuries while at work.

If you have been injured while working construction, it is imperative that you contact an experienced construction work injury lawyer in New York as soon as possible. A New York construction site accident attorney can help evaluate your claim and determine how to best move forward with your case.

Types of Construction Injuries

Unsafe conditions in construction sites that are not properly addressed can lead to all sorts of detrimental injuries. These injuries sustained while at work can vary from minor cuts and scrapes to severe burns, lacerations, and broken bones. In the worst cases, an injury can result in a tragic loss of life. When a worker is injured, it is vital to seek the legal assistance of a construction work injury lawyer in New York. A knowledgeable New York construction accident attorney can help explain how to submit a claim and obtain compensation for work-related injuries.

Common construction work injuries include the following:

• Burns: If someone works around dangerous materials such as chemicals, blowtorches, or electricity, they are at risk of getting burned. Burns can be very severe. Some burns may require extensive medical treatment.
• Head Injury: Most construction sites require their workers to wear safety helmets or hard hats when they are in or around a construction zone. However, a worker can still obtain a serious or severe injury even while wearing a helmet. If a heavy or large object falls on a worker, a hard hat may not be enough to cushion the blow.
• Muscle Strain: Lifting heavy objects or equipment can lead to pulled muscles. If a worker is continually lifting heavy objects, they could cause slow but harmful injury to their muscles and tendons.
• Back Injury: Back injuries are prevalent among construction workers and can be caused by heavy lifting, falling, or performing repetitive motion.
• Eye Injury: Similar to the requirement of wearing safety helmets, safety goggles are also necessary in a construction work zone. If a worker does not wear their safety goggles, they can injure their eyes due to debris or particles.
• Broken Bones: Broken bones are another common injury. If a worker falls, they can sustain various broken bones. Likewise, if something falls or collapses on a worker, broken bones can occur.
• Harsh Work Environment Injury: Harsh work environments such as long hours under the sun can cause dehydration, heatstroke, and/or exhaustion. The outcome can be severe if a worker is not careful.
• Lacerations: Lacerations can be caused by wires, sharp materials, tools, and other construction objects. Deep cuts and lacerations can lead to severe scarring, disfigurement, and amputation.
• Hearing Injury: Damage to a worker’s ears can be caused by loud machinery. If a worker is constantly exposed to loud machinery and/or noises, they can suffer hearing loss or damage.
• Respiratory Issues: Old buildings, structures, and houses are known to have asbestos. If asbestos is present, it can harm a worker’s respiratory system. Damage to the respiratory system can have serious consequences. Harmful particles, asbestos, and chemicals can lead to pneumonia or other lung issues and diseases.

If you or a loved one is suffering from a construction work injury, it is highly advised to talk to a New York construction accident attorney right away.

Construction Injury Claims

If workplace conditions are not reasonably safe, employers and construction companies could find themselves facing serious complaints and lawsuits. After all, it is their responsibility to maintain safe operations, and when they fail to do so, they need to take responsibility for the workers who have been injured as a result of that negligence. Unfortunately, many employers and construction companies—and their insurance providers—fail to do so in a way that makes the injured employee whole. In other words, they get away with injuring the very people they’re required by law to protect. To make matters worse, they leave those injured employees to the mercy of the insurance company’s claims adjuster, company-selected doctors, and investigators.

Most workers are eligible for workers’ compensation if they are injured on the job. However, in many cases, workers’ compensation may not be enough. Workers’ compensation benefits primarily cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability, but these compensation benefits often fail to take into account noneconomical damages and compensation, such as pain and suffering. Aside from workers’ compensation, a construction employee could possibly seek recompense through various other channels. For instance, a worker may be able to file a civil lawsuit against their employer, a third-party, a contractor, a product supplier, an architect, an engineer, or any other entity who could be at-fault for negligence, unsafe conditions, or product liability.

If you are suffering from severe injuries, you may be able to pursue a lawsuit with the assistance of a construction work injury lawyer in New York.

If you have been injured, it is crucial that you consult with a construction work injury lawyer in New York to discuss your options. A professional New York construction accident attorney can help you understand the type of compensation and benefits that are available to you. Don’t let your employer or a construction company get away with causing your injury. Hire an attorney to fight for your maximum compensation.

Rockland County Construction Accident Lawyer

According to OSHA, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous fields for employees in the United States of America, and the workers in this industry face high risk of suffering serious injuries and, in the worst cases, death. Construction sites are responsible for maintaining a safe workplace environment, and providing personal protection equipment to their workers. If they fail to do so, the injured workers have the right to sue them for their negligence and claim compensation for medical bills and lost wages.

At The Law Office of Reuven Epstein, our construction site injuries attorney Reuven Epstein and his seasoned team of legal representatives are here to guide you through the entire recovery process, from dealing with insurance companies to pursuing a lawsuit against your employer. Our goal is to ensure you have the benefits you need in order to move on from your life after an injury caused on the job. We are here to advocate for you when your employer turns their back and the insurance company tries to shrink the amount to which you’re entitled. If there was a wrongful death involved in a construction site accident, Reuven Epstein and his team will ensure your family is financially secure after your loss.

Choosing the right Construction Accident Attorney to claim the Best Possible Compensation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, it is important to hire an expert construction site injuries attorney as soon as possible. Before hiring a construction accident lawyer, make sure that you check their background record thoroughly. Always hire a construction accident lawyer who is familiar with the courts and laws in your local area. Make sure that the lawyer is experienced in representing construction accident cases.

Attorney Reuven Epstein has over 36 years of fighting for maximum compensation for employers injured in construction site accidents. He’s not intimidated by going up against the big insurance companies or holding construction companies accountable for their negligence or unsafe conditions.

At The Law Office of Reuven Epstein, we are proudly serving clients of Nanuet and Bardonia in Rockland County, as well as Bronx County, NY.

Call The Law Office of Reuven Epstein at (845) 208-2444 Now!

At The Law Office of Reuven Epstein, our lawyers are experts and have the experience to handle construction accident cases, including third-party injury claims. If you have been injured in a construction site accident in Rockland County or The Bronx and are looking for strong legal counsel, contact The Law Office of Reuven Epstein immediately. Call (845) 208-2444 and schedule a consultation to discuss your options.