Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries At NY / NJ Construction Sites
All of the body’s joints have to work hard at New York and New Jersey construction sites. Accidents and repetitive trauma can cause serious injuries to construction workers’ knees, ankles and feet. Many of these injuries cause severe pain and can disable workers for months or even end their career. OSHA and other laws, including the NY Labor Law and the NY Industrial Code, require safety gear and other measures to cut down on leg injuries.
If an injury happens because a rule wasn’t followed, the at-fault parties must pay damages in many cases. The NY / NJ leg injury lawyers at the Ginarte firm know what to look for in a construction accident claim. The firm has 28 lawyers ready to help with your leg injury claim. Ask us how we can help you get the money you deserve for your construction site knee, foot or ankle injury.
Contact the Ginarte law firm today. Dial 1-888-GINARTE or fill out our online form. Call today for a free consultation. You pay us a fee only if you win your case. We are one of the biggest firms handling construction accident lawsuits in the NY / NJ metro area. That means we have the knowledge and resources to help you.
Don’t put off contacting us. Construction injury claims in New York and New Jersey have deadlines. Waiting too long could bar your recovery.
Causes Of Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries In Construction
Injuries to the lower extremities can happen slowly over time or all at once. Knees and ankles have lots of moving parts and connective tissues. Repeated stress can damage the knees and ankles, causing severe pain and even joint failure. A sharp blow or a severe twist can cause traumatic damage to a knee or ankle.
Crouching, kneeling and squatting put serious stresses on the knees. Another hazard comes from pushing or pulling heavy objects. Anyone who works on their knees should use knee pads or creepers, but sometimes they are not provided. Stools can help workers who must crouch. Workers should also get training on ways to reduce knee stress. For example, shifting posture or taking 20-second breaks from kneeling or crouching can help. Workers who install flooring are prone to carpet layer’s knee, a condition caused by using knee kickers. Power stretchers can relieve the stress on flooring installers’ knees.
Knees and ankles can get hurt in falls from heights or falls from ladders or scaffolds. Debris and clutter can lead to trip-and-fall accidents that can injure ankles and knees. Uneven surfaces or hidden holes can cause someone to turn an ankle. Foot injuries often result from dropped objects. OSHA rules require safety shoes or steel-toed boots in many instances. These can cut down on foot injuries but they aren’t always provided.
Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries Threaten Everyone At NY / NJ Construction Sites
Construction work is tough on almost all workers’ knees and ankles. Foot injuries are also a real threat for anyone who works around heavy objects. There are some trades where workers face a greater risk of suffering a leg injury. These include:
- Carpet layers and flooring installers;
- Roofers;
- Masons;
- Plumbers;
- Carpenters;
- Demolition workers;
- Framers;
- Insulators; and
- Tile setters
Leg Injuries Can Result In Big Bills And Lost Pay
Knee, ankle and foot injuries are expensive not only because of doctor’s bills, but also due to workers’ lost wages. The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates that knee injuries cause workers to miss about twice as many workdays as other workplace injuries. For some injured construction workers, damage to the knee, ankle or foot will mean the end of their career. Treatments for severely injured knees and ankles can cost thousands of dollars. This includes surgeries and rehab. Overexertion injuries, including those from excessive pushing, pulling and lifting, cost society about $12.75 billion each year, according to the 2011 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.
You might think that workers’ comp has you covered. The truth is that workers’ comp and other programs typically pay just a small part of construction accident losses. Talk to the Ginarte law firm to find out how you can recover more of the money damages you are owed.
The Ginarte Law Firm Helps Victims Of Knee, Ankle & Foot Injuries
Our NY / NJ leg injury attorneys are ready to review your claim and discuss your options. There is no risk. In fact, we collect fees only if you win your case. Contact us today at 1-888-GINARTE or fill out our online contact form. Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd, LLP, has seven area offices ready to serve you: Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton and Perth Amboy.
