5 Common NY Construction Accidents and their Causes

Working in construction is an inherently dangerous job. Depending on your specific position, you might operate huge, heavy, powerful machinery. Lug enormous loads around. Spend your days hundreds of feet in the air. Perhaps all three.

The following are some of the most common causes of construction accidents in New York.

Watch Out for These Types of Accidents if You Work Construction

Falls – It doesn’t take more than a few feet to cause serious injuries, especially if a construction worker is not provided with the proper safety equipment, or lands a certain way. While some falls are caused by a simple misstep, construction workers should always be using the proper safety equipment, including harnesses and properly installed scaffolding, to prevent a long fall.

Falling Objects – Maybe you weren’t what fell. A falling object also brings risk of serious injury, even if the object is a smaller tool. On a grander scale, an entire building can fall and collapse on workers inside if proper care isn’t executed during a demolition. While hard hats and other safety gear can protect workers from some falling objects, heavier objects (and collapsed buildings) will still leave workers with serious injuries.

Other Equipment or Tool-Related Accidents – Maybe the guy working above you didn’t realize you were below him and shot a nail through your hand with a nail gun on you. Or maybe you were the one using the nail gun and it was defective.

Each piece of equipment you work with comes with risks. If you were allowed you to use a tool without being told about these risks, someone may be held liable for the damages that it caused to you. Job site owners and contractors may also be held liable if workers are provided with defective tools that have not been repaired or replaced.

Fires, Explosions, Respiratory Diseases – Not all dangers are visible to the human eye. Sometimes, an injury can result from a deadly mix of chemicals, or flammable substances in the air that catch on fire – we’ve all seen commercials for lawsuits over asbestos exposure.

There are so many dangerous chemicals that cause serious damage down the line. Whether a spark causes a fire in seconds, or lead poisoning leads to medical problems over decades, these chemicals, and their risks, should be made known to construction workers.

Overexertion – Sometimes, it just takes being outside for hours on end to cause an injury or illness. Repetitive motions like hammering or lifting heavy objects can cause strain on muscles or joint damage. Excess heat or cold can cause frostbite or heatstroke. Construction workers who work overtime are more susceptible to these injuries.

There are so many dangerous chemicals that cause serious damage down the line. Whether a spark causes a fire in seconds, or lead poisoning leads to medical problems over decades, these chemicals, and their risks, should be made known to construction workers.

Overexertion – Sometimes, it just takes being outside for hours on end to cause an injury or illness. Repetitive motions like hammering or lifting heavy objects can cause strain on muscles or joint damage. Excess heat or cold can cause frostbite or heatstroke. Construction workers who work overtime are more susceptible to these injuries.

Injured While Working In Construction?

Compared to other professions, though, they go wrong a lot – over 20% of all private industry worker deaths in 2015 involved construction. Clearly, a lot of these “accidents” aren’t just accidents.

Site owners and contractors have a duty to construction workers to keep them safe and aware of all of the risks of their job. If  you are put in a risky situation and you get hurt, you can may be able to hold them liable for the financial damages and pain and suffering that result from your injury.

Do not pay for someone else’s mistake. Contact a New York personal injury lawyer today to get started on your case.