What makes construction sites dangerous is the nature of the work that takes place. After all, the hazards workers encounter on sites with ongoing construction, renovation, or demolition are varied and innumerable. Working with power tools, heavy machinery, unstable or unfinished structures, and working at an elevated height are all risk factors for injury that cannot be eliminated in this industry.
Construction Sites Have Many Inherent Risks for Injury
In addition to working with potentially dangerous machinery and tools and in unstable or unfinished structures, job sites in construction and related industries require many types of workers to work side by side and keep one another safe.
As an example, carpenters may not be fully aware of the hazards the electricians face or create while their work is in progress. Electricians, plumbers, and others, meanwhile, need to be careful when working to ensure the carpenters have completed their work in the area and they have a stable and safe workspace.
Ultimately, the safety of everyone on a construction site falls on the landowner and general contractor. Taking certain precautions can reduce the risks of what makes construction sites dangerous. Landowners and general contractors have a responsibility to understand and take these steps, as well.
These owners and contractors must see to it that those working on-site are provided the right personal protective equipment, that these workers know how to protect themselves, and that communication is managed so all workers have the knowledge they need to remain safe on the site.
Falls Are a Top Cause of Construction Site Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls cause about one out of every three construction industry deaths, not to mention that in 2018, 320 workers died after on-the-job falls. About half of all reported workplace fall injuries occur on construction sites—far more than in any other industry.
Many of these falls occur when workers are doing a job at an elevated height, working on a ladder, scaffolding, or in an elevated area where fall protection equipment should be used. This type of fall is often much more serious than a slip or trip and fall. Falls from an elevated area could lead to not only broken bones and contusions but may be more likely to result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic injuries.
New York State Has Special Protections for Fall Victims
In New York State, construction workers and others on similar worksites have additional protections under the law. New York Labor § 240, called the Scaffold Law, holds property owners strictly liable for injuries suffered by workers who fall from a height on their property under certain circumstances.
Because of this statute, property owners and general contractors overseeing projects must ensure workers have the right ladder or scaffolding for the project they are working on, as well as the necessary fall protection equipment. They must provide the proper training and personal protective equipment as required for the specific project. If they do not, they might be responsible for any injuries that occur.
Contact Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. About Your Construction Site Injury
At Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., our construction accident lawyers are passionate advocates for the injured. We work with our clients’ workers’ compensation attorneys to seek the best possible outcomes. If we represent you after a worksite fall or other construction accident injury, we will do the following:
- Keep you updated about the latest news in your case
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Communicate with all relevant parties, protecting your rights
- Gather evidence that supports your claim
- Determine a fair and just value for your case
- Fight relentlessly to win the best possible outcome for you
We understand the necessary proof to hold a property owner or general contractor responsible for your damages and will develop a case that supports a just payout when possible. As called for by the specific, unique facts of your case, this can include working with experts to understand your medical prognosis, your vocational outlook, and more.
We provide complimentary case evaluations for potential clients who suffered injuries on a construction site in New York City or other nearby areas, including on Long Island. You generally only have a limited time to take legal action under New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules § 214, so it is important to get in touch with us as soon as possible. Also, because it is best to capture evidence such as witness statements and job-site security video as soon after the accident as we can, the sooner you contact us, the greater our opportunity to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
If you or a family member suffered injuries on a construction site on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area, the team from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will review your case at no cost. We represent injured workers using the Scaffold Law and other applicable statutes to hold liable parties accountable to the extent allowed under New York law.
Call (516) 932-0400 today to speak to our team about your case. We have a multilingual (Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada) staff who will explain your options in the language you are most comfortable speaking.