Types and Causes of Construction Accidents in NYC
Did you know that construction has become the deadliest job in New York City? While the number of construction accidents has declined since new regulations were introduced in 2019, construction is still extremely dangerous.
What should you do if you or a loved one were injured or killed in a construction accident? What are common construction accident causes, types, and injuries? From the experienced personal injury lawyers at Goidel & Seigel, LLC, here’s important information you should know about construction accidents.
Common Construction Accident Causes
While lots of things can cause construction accidents, a few reasons are more common than others. These are the most common causes of construction accidents.
Rushing
Contractors and subcontractors are often pressured to finish jobs quickly and meet or beat deadlines. When construction workers feel rushed, they are more likely to make mistakes that can lead to injuries or deaths.
Budget
With the booming construction industry, contractors feel pressured to underbid their competitors. When working with a lower budget, they may cut corners by using fewer workers, employing less-experienced individuals, and neglecting safety protocols, all of which may lead to a higher likelihood of construction accidents.
Lack of Training
Construction workers in New York City are required to receive 40 hours of safety training and keep their training cards with them at all times. However, some contractors may provide counterfeit training cards to their employees rather than investing time and money into properly training them. Without the proper training, construction workers are more likely to make potentially fatal mistakes.
Common Construction Site Injuries
Any type of injury can occur on a construction site. However, some types of injuries are more common than others. These are some of the most common types of construction site injuries.
Burns
Construction sites contain many items that may pose fire or explosion risks. If workers don’t handle these items properly, the results can cause severe, debilitating, or life-threatening burns.
Head Injuries
Falling objects and falls can both cause head injuries. Even non-fatal head injuries can lead to permanent brain damage. Construction workers should always wear helmets on-site to help prevent head injuries.
Fractured, Broken, or Crushed Bones
If not operated properly, heavy machinery like bulldozers and cranes can hit or crush workers, leading to broken or crushed bones, among other types of injuries.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
A wide variety of accidents can happen on a construction site. Here are some of the most common kinds of construction accidents.
Toxic Substances
Construction workers may be exposed to a wide variety of toxic substances every day on the job. A few common toxic substances found at construction sites include:
- Solvents
- Mold
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Mineral fibers
- Dust
- Acids
- Toxic fumes
Height-Related Accidents
42% of construction worker deaths result from falls, and ⅔ of those falls were from less than 30 feet above the ground. Beyond falls, other height-related accidents involve things like dropped tools and collapsing scaffolding.
Trips or Slips and Falls
Slipping or tripping and falling are some of the most common ways workers injure themselves at construction sites, causing sprained ankles, lacerations, broken legs, soft tissue injuries, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, or death. Factors that may contribute to slips or trips include:
- Oil or grease on floors
- Broken or unsafe stairs
- Defects, debris, or holes in flooring
Forklift and Crane Accidents
Forklifts and cranes can carry loads weighing hundreds or thousands of pounds and require special training to operate. Lack of training, equipment failures, and mechanical defects can cause serious or deadly accidents on construction sites.
Demolition Accidents
Demolition often involves explosives, which can lead to devastating injuries and even death if not handled properly. Construction workers involved in demolition should receive proper training and safety equipment to reduce the risk of severe injuries and death.
Explosions and Fires
Numerous conditions on construction sites can cause explosions or fires, such as electrical issues, equipment malfunctions, gas or chemical leaks, and improper handling of flammable materials. In addition to burns, fires and explosions may cause lung problems, disfigurement, or death.
What to Do After a Construction Accident
If you’ve been involved in a construction accident, there are some steps you should take to ensure you can receive compensation for your injuries, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. Here’s what you should do after a construction accident.
Report Your Injury
Always report the incident to your employer right away, so you have the injuries documented in your file. The longer you wait before filling out an incident report, the harder it is to prove that your injuries were caused while you were on the job rather than after hours.
Document the Scene of the Accident
You or a coworker (if you’re too severely injured to do it yourself) should take photos and videos of the accident scene immediately after it happens. Get close-up pictures of whatever caused your accident as well as the whole scene, including who was there and how the negligent party responded.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if your injuries seem minor, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible. Again, this is to document your injuries for when you seek compensation later. Without evidence that you went to a doctor, it’s difficult to prove you were injured.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or your loved one suffered significant injuries that caused permanent limitations or have prevented you from working, or if your loved one was killed or disabled in a construction accident in New York City, you need to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Your employer or their insurance company will try to give you the smallest amount possible for your life-altering injuries. You need a lawyer to fight for the full amount you deserve for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Contact Goidel & Siegel, LLP today for a free consultation.
Injured in a Construction Accident?
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in a construction accident in New York City, contact Goidel & Siegel, LLP, a respected personal injury law firm. We specialize in construction accidents and know how to get you the best compensation. Contact us today by clicking here or calling (929) 593-2024.
