How Workers Get Hurt In NY / NJ Construction Accidents

Construction jobs are hard work. They can also be dangerous, especially when the right safety measures aren’t in place. Property owners, contractors, developers and others must follow OSHA and other rules, including the NY Labor Law and the NY Industrial Code, to make sure construction sites are safe. The law can make them pay damages if they break the rules and you get hurt in a serious construction accident. The Ginarte law firm has helped many injured construction workers get the money they deserve. Ask how we can help you too.

Talk to the NY / NJ construction injury attorneys at the Ginarte law firm now. Call 1-888-GINARTE today for your free consult. You can also fill out our online contact form. We receive compensation only if your case is won. Don’t let your case get barred by delay. Contact Ginarte today.

Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd, LLP, has seven offices in the NY / NJ metro area: Newark, New York City, Union City, Elizabeth, Clifton and Perth Amboy.

Types of Construction Accidents in New York and New Jersey

• Falls – Slips, trips and other falls on the same level are the most common accidents at New York and New Jersey construction sites. Slippery walking surfaces or clutter at construction sites is often to blame. OSHA rules require a tidy, safe workplace, but too often these obligations go unmet.

• Falling objects – With many people working on different levels, the risk of being hit by a dropped tool, building material or other object is a serious threat on an NY / NJ construction site. Hardhats should always be worn, but they are not always enough protection. Anything from heavy tools and building materials to small nails and screws can hurt people working below.

• Falls from unguarded openings – Rules are in place to protect workers from falling through an opening such as a skylight, stairwell or other large hole in a walking surface. If guardrails or sturdy coverings are not in place, a serious fall can result.

• Falls from heights – This could include a fall from a form, a large metal cylinder held together by two halves used during construction to pour concrete.

• Electrical accidents  – Harsh conditions at New York and New Jersey construction sites expose electric tools and cords to serious wear and tear. Poor maintenance can result in injuries. Contact with high-voltage power lines can be deadly. Lightning is another concern at any outdoor jobsite.

• Excavations – There’s a good reason why there are so many safety rules about excavations and trenches. Cave-ins and trench collapses can literally bury workers alive. It’s also possible for heavy equipment and tools to fall into a dug-out area and hurt someone.

• Falls from ladders and scaffolds – Scaffolds and ladders are a must in construction. But steps must be taken to reduce the chance of a serious fall accident from a ladder or scaffolds. New York has specific labor laws about scaffolds, and OSHA has rules about scaffolds and ladders that apply in every states.

• Falls from roofs – A fall from a high roof can have devastating consequences for the victim. That’s why responsible parties must enact safety measures to keep workers from accidentally falling off a roof. When these regulations are not met, an injured worker could be entitled to cash payments from the at-fault parties.

• Construction tool malfunctions and defective tools – Even simple hand tools can cause serious injuries if not used and maintained properly. Power tools that cut, drill, grind and sand pose even greater safety risks, One example would be a nail gun that backfires or is improperly manufactured. Injuries can also occur from unguarded saws Sometimes the risk comes from improper training or a guard that has been removed. Other times the problem is the design or construction of the tool itself.

• Burn Injuries – In cases involving hot water, steam, electrocution, hot tar and hot asphalt, workers may end up with disfigurements, loss of limbs or loss of vision, among other serious injuries.

• OSHA violations – Keeping construction workers safe is OSHA’s top priority. The agency has set thousands of rules and regulations designed to make construction sites as safe as possible. Violations of these rules can cause serious construction accidents. Violations can also lead to an injured worker’s right to compensation from the at-fault party.

• Forklift accidents – Forklifts pose a safety threat to both their operators as well as everyone else who works around them. Training must be provided to everyone who works near a forklift. Serious accidents can result from the misuse of a forklift.

• Crane accidents – With lots of high-rise construction in the NY / NJ metro area, cranes are a common sight. They are also a real safety hazard. If not operated properly, cranes can drop heavy loads onto workers below. An overloaded crane can collapse and crush structures and people beneath it. Strict safety regulations aim to prevent crane accidents, but the rules are sometimes ignored.

Talk To a NY / NJ Construction Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been hurt in a construction accident, the Ginarte law firm wants to hear from you. Call 1-888-GINARTE now. Or fill out our online contact form. Let our experienced NY / NJ construction accident lawyers help you. Your first consult is always free. The Ginarte law firm has 28 lawyers ready to help you with your construction accident claim. Put our experience to work for you.