Common Workplace Injuries, What a Worker Needs to Know

New York City is alive with construction.  Construction sites are popping up all over the Bronx and Queens.  Construction workers are hard working men and women — they have built our homes, office buildings, our cities, and our country. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most frequently injured workers in the entire workforce.

Because of the dangerous work they perform, such as working on ladders, scaffolds, and their exposure to heavy equipment such as cranes, forklifts and more, it is not uncommon for construction workers to be seriously injured on the job.

According to the CDC, of the 3.3 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported in 2009, more than 9% were experienced by construction workers. Those who work in construction and suffer on-the-job injuries can be out of work for weeks, months, or even longer causing major financial strain.

What should you do if you or a loved one is involved in a construction accident?

Contact the team of experienced construction accident lawyers at Oresky & Associates, Personal Injury Attorneys serving accident victims in the Bronx, Queens, and the greater NYC area.  You can call Oresky & Associates, PLLC, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 718-993-9999, and speak to a live person.  Our consultation is free and without obligation.

Common Causes of Construction Injuries

Construction injuries are often caused by a contractor’s failure to provide its workers with proper safety equipment, such as safe ladders, properly constructed scaffolds, harnesses and life lines.  While some safety violations may not appear to be dangerous, they can result in serious and devastating injuries.

Falls

One of the most common types of construction accidents is caused by falls. Construction workers are at risk from falling off scaffolding, cranes, roofs, ladders, and other work platforms while on the job.

If injured in a fall accident, you are entitled to file a Workers’ Compensation Claim, which will cover your work related medical expenses, and a portion of your lost wages. In addition you may also be entitled to file a claim for money damages against a responsible third party, and commence a lawsuit to recover damages for pain and suffering, spousal loss of services, lost union benefits as well as other damages.

This is commonly known as a personal injury lawsuit.

Falling Objects

Working on an active construction site means that there is risk of being struck by objects from above. For example, equipment used above the worker or construction materials that aren’t properly secured can fall and cause major injury. Even if workers are wearing appropriate safety equipment such as hardhats, injuries to the head,  spine, and extremities, are still possible.

Machinery Related Accidents

Heavy machinery and equipment is commonly used at construction sites and can fail or become dangerous if not used properly. A crane could fail and topple over, a forklift could drop a heavy load, or other equipment could malfunction.

Construction workers are dependent on this type of heavy equipment, which can become extremely dangerous when not operated correctly. You can read more about major crane collapses and the resulting settlements in our article here.

Fires and Explosions

Construction sites contain exposed wiring, leaking pipes, and flammable chemicals that could lead to fires and explosions. These are less common than some other types of accidents, but they can lead to serious injuries or even be fatal.

Trench or Building Collapses

Construction workers are required to demolish buildings or work in spaces that may not be foundationally sound. Buildings and trenches can collapse with workers inside, causing serious and sometimes fatal outcomes.

Types of Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents:

The construction industry is dangerous, and construction accidents have serious consequences including permanent serious injuries to workers.  These accidents can injuries and disabilities which include:

• Amputation of digits or limbs
• Broken or fractured bones
• Herniated Discs
• Fractured Spine
• Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
• Head or traumatic brain injuries (TBI); often from falls or having objects dropped on a construction worker on the job site
• Death, in which case the construction worker’s family should consider a wrongful death claim
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Contact Our Construction Accident Law Firm in Bronx, NY

At Oresky & Associates, PLLC we have over 30 years of experience representing construction accident victims, and have recovered many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for injured workers.

If you were injured in a construction site accident and you need legal assistance, contact the Bronx construction accident lawyers at Oresky & Associates, PLLC at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation.

We have two convenient locations in New York:

Oresky & Associates, PLLC – Bronx Office
149 E 149th St
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 993-9999

Oresky & Associates, PLLC – Queens Office
104-09 Roosevelt Ave
Queens, NY 11368
(347) 507-3884