Construction Sites & Falling Objects
A falling object can cause many injuries and even wrongful death at a construction site. When gravity forces even a small object from a high position, it can cause serious harm from head injuries. There are a variety of objects that can fall and cause severe harm to the individual receiving the blow. For any type of object that fell and left you injured, you can rely on the New York City personal injury lawyers at our firm for help.
From a tool, such as a hammer or nail gun, to a resource, such as a nail or a paint can, severe injuries can take place. The employers of the construction workers have a strict responsibility to ensure that no harm comes to their employees or bystanders. They can do so through proper training and ensuring that no objects are left near an edge of a building or hanging from a reckless location.
Dangers of Falling Objects
In New York City, there have been a number of accidents, injuries, and fatalities from falling objects. Compared to the various types of construction accidents, material falls is the second leading cause of injuries and fatalities. It is second only to construction worker falls. Each year, there are between 20 and 30 injuries to construction workers in New York City. In addition, each year, at least one construction worker has lost his or her life to a construction fall in the city. Falling objects is known as one of the “fatal four” incidents on a construction site that result in death. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the fatal four were responsible for about three fifths of all construction worker deaths in 2011.
Legal Assistance from a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer
Falling object accidents will involve the complicated process of having to prove negligence. It will often be directed at the construction company and employer for carelessness in either a lack of training or by creating an unsafe work place. The four elements of negligence involved in this case are duty, breach, causation and damage. Proper training of employees would include instruction to do the following:
- Carry tools in work belts or tool boxes
- Lifting equipment / materials with elevators or hand lines
- Putting equipment / materials in safe locations
- Having an awareness of who is around / beneath them
The construction company should also make sure to post warning signs and have protective barriers from outsiders. There are many precautions that should take place and if negligence is the result of a falling object injury or fatality, the employer may be liable to pay the victim and his or her family restitution.
You need a lawyer for your construction accident case in New York City!
If you have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries from a falling object, it is important to gain a solid understanding of your situation. There are many types of objects that you can be injured by and knowing which caused the injury is important. Whether it was a hand tool or power tool, you may face severe injuries. Objects that often result in catastrophic injuries or death if they fall include scaffolding, lumber that has been released from its load and bricks. Some of the most common types of injuries include broken bones, facial damage, eye injury, cranial fractures and traumatic brain injury.
At Greenberg & Stein, P.C., we can help you establish liability for the falling object. These accidents are nearly always associated with reckless or negligent behaviors. Whether it was caused by a coworker or your supervisor, they have failed to perform their duties in a safe and cautious manner. A New York City construction accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today!