Every day, hundreds and thousands of construction workers in
New York City go to work knowing the potential risks they may encounter in the
course of their duties. While their jobs are indeed dangerous, it is also
natural to have a reasonable expectation that their supervisors and employers
will adopt essential measures to ensure their worksites are as secure as they
can be.
If the words of a top NYC falling object injuries lawyer are anything to go by, this fails to be the
case always. Often, employers put profits ahead of safety, and this can lead to
tragic consequences for those who are left suffering in the aftermath of a
fatal construction site accident.
In today’s post, we aim to walk you through everything you
need to know about a falling object hitting you in a construction site, along
with the laws that can help you get the compensation you deserve if you face
this predicament.
Injuries Caused Due to Falling Objects in a Construction Site
Construction sites tend to use various tools, ranging from
drills and hammers to bolts and screws. When a worker accidentally drops any of
these tools, it can lead to the injuries listed below:
- Brain damage
- Concussion
- Laceration
- Fracture
- Eye injury
- Neck injury
- Spinal cord damage
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Construction Site Accident?
The attorney you hire will figure out who was responsible
for your injury. This will enable you to determine your legal remedy. Any of
these critical factors may have led to a falling object injury
on a construction site:
- A worker was under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- A worker was distracted by something else or was texting
- An employer failed to train workers properly
- The employer failed to keep the construction site in a
safe condition
- The manufacturer sold defective equipment
Once your lawyer determines who was responsible for your
accident, you can figure out if you want to file a lawsuit. You may be eligible
for workers’ compensation if you were working at the site. But filing a lawsuit will
enable you to pursue much more compensation than what is available under
workers’ compensation insurance.
Laws Governing Falling Object Injuries
Every employee in New York needs to subscribe to workers’
compensation insurance so that remedy is readily available.
Some New York laws may hold your employer or a third party
responsible for your injuries. There are laws that protect workers from falling
objects. These laws require employers to install different protections on
surfaces that might have falling objects.
Additionally, the General and Duty Clause of OSHA makes additional measures mandatory, including regulations
that an employer needs to provide a workplace that is completely free from
dangers that are likely to cause serious injuries or death.
Further, product liability laws tend to hold third parties
liable for providing defective equipment. If a piece of machinery broke and
fell, one can sue a manufacturer for their injuries.
Final Thoughts
The threat of falling objects remains a pressing concern in
the construction landscape of New York City. With every incident, the
possibility of a serious injury or even fatality increases. Hence, recognizing
the prevalence of this hazard is necessary in understanding the risks workers
face every day.
As construction continues to shape our skyline, the
significance of safety cannot be overstated. Every day should serve as a
reminder of the urgent need for vigilance.
