Common Construction Accidents in New York City

On January 30, 2017 by No Comments

Construction is booming in New York City, which creates high demand for workers who can build faster and more efficiently. Unfortunately, this need tempts many construction companies to send out untrained or unskilled workers onto job sites. Consequently, the chances of a serious construction accident is higher.

The rate of this practice is growing, reflected by the increasing number of construction accidents and deaths yearly. Between July 2014 and July 2015, 10 people died from construction-related accidents, with 324 people injured.

Some of the most common construction accidents include:

Being Struck By Falling Cranes/Heavy Machinery. In May 2015, a 12-ton heating and air-conditioning unit fell from a crane on Madison Ave. Ten people received injuries.

Luckily, the injuries sustained in that incident were minor. However, two falling cranes in 2008 killed 19 people. Sadly, little action was taken after the incident to prevent more crane-related deaths.

Toxic Exposure – Toxic exposure is a tricky subject. This is particularly true because the injuries and damages sustained sometimes arise after the fact.

The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stresses the importance of educating employees about the presence and dangers of toxic substances while undergoing construction or renovations. These substances can cause serious immediate health problems (i.e. skin irritation or trouble breathing) as well as future health issues.

Burns and Explosions. One of the biggest dangers of toxic substance exposure is the risk of burns or explosions. Many toxic substances present in construction work are flammable and corrosive. If the presence of these substances is unknown, a fire or explosion could occur without warning.

Falling From High Places. Unfortunately, skyscrapers bring with them a greater risk of falling. A man named Germeet Singh died in 2014 after falling 140 feet off of a scaffold constructed without supervision. Grievously, he was also not wearing a harness.

Luckily though, Singh’s death shed light on the plight of undocumented workers throughout New York whom supervisors improperly trained, and who suffered negligent deaths.

Additionally, many of the deaths mentioned in sources investigating construction accidents in New York were preventable.

If You or a Loved One Received Injuries in Construction Accidents

There are many factors that go into filing a claim for personal injury or wrongful death compensation: what materials caused damages? How are you employed, and what are some of the possible risks of taking those responsible to court? What education or training did you receive from your supervisors before the accident?

If you have any questions concerning the possibility of pursuing a case, you can contact our office by emailing us or calling (800) 762-9300.  Alternatively, you can also simply fill out one of our case intake forms and we will have one of our attorneys get right back to you.