Construction workers face hazards each day as part of the job, but all workers have a right to a safe work environment. If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of construction accident due to third-party negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The best way to protect your rights is to have an aggressive construction accident attorney at your side.
At Bornstein & Emanuel, P.C., we are highly experienced in handling all types of construction accidents throughout New York, Long Island, and Westchester. Our legal team has a proven history of successfully negotiating and litigating third-party negligence claims and is well-prepared to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
When you become our client, we will provide you with compassionate, efficient representation and work to protect your rights. Contact our Garden City office today for a free consultation.
The Fatal Four: The Type of Construction Site Accident
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the four leading causes of fatal injuries at construction sites are:
- Falls — Construction workers are at a high risk of injury due to falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and other heights. OSHA reports that falls are the most common construction site accident, resulting in nearly 38 percent of fatalities.
- Struck by object — Workers at construction sites can be seriously injured if they are struck by improperly secured tools, equipment, or other construction material. Struck-by-object accidents account for more than 9 percent of construction site fatalities.
- Caught-in/between — Construction workers can be caught-in/between equipment, machinery, and other objects or trapped under collapsing structures and trenches. Caught-in/between accidents are responsible for over 7 percent of construction worker fatalities.
- Electrocutions — Workers are frequently exposed to wires and electrical currents at construction sites, often resulting in electrocutions. More than 8 percent of construction site fatalities are caused by electrocution.
In addition to the Fatal Four, construction workers are also at risk of being seriously injured in construction accidents such as:
- Slips, trips, and falls — According to OSHA, trips, slips, and falls are among the most common causes of construction site injuries, typically due to debris, grease, or oil on floors, holes in flooring, unsafe or broken stairs, and poor lighting. Slips, trips, and falls can result in leg fractures, sprained ankles, soft tissue injuries, lacerations, traumatic brain injury, paralysis, and even, in extreme cases, wrongful death.
- Trench collapses — Construction workers who are required to dig trenches are at risk of serious injuries in a cave-in or collapse if proper safety measures are not followed.
- Fires and explosions — Exposed wiring, leaking pipes, chemical and gas leaks, equipment malfunctions, improper handling of flammable materials, and other hazards can cause fires and explosions at construction sites, resulting in serious injuries, such as first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns, disfigurement, smoke inhalation, lung damage, and death.
- Equipment accidents — Construction workers can be seriously or fatally injured when heavy machinery, such as cranes and forklifts or power tools (e.g. table saws, nail guns,) are defective or improperly used by inexperienced or poorly trained equipment operators.
- Demolition accidents — Demolition is common at construction sites and often involves using explosives which can place workers in imminent danger; construction workers must be provided with safety equipment and proper training to mitigate the risk of hazards.
Common Injuries in Nassau & Queens
Construction workers in the greater New York area are at risk of serious injuries, including:
- Back injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head and neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Loss of limb
- Muscle and ligament tears
- Spinal cord injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Wrongful death
Depending on the circumstances, injured construction workers may require amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs. In addition, workers who are exposed to dust, asbestos, and other toxins are at an increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses. Finally, the physical exertion of construction work, such as frequent bending and lifting, can damage muscles and joints, causing repetitive motion injuries.
Compensation for Construction Site Accidents May Vary With Type
If you have been seriously injured in a construction site accident, the physical, emotional, and financial burden can become overwhelming. The personal injury attorneys at Bornstein & Emanuel, P.C. can help lift that burden by providing you powerful representation and helping you obtain meaningful compensation, which may include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitative care
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability/disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If a loved one was lost in a construction site accident, we can help you pursue a wrongful death action to recover damages for final medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of emotional and financial support. Above all, we will stand by you every step of the way and fight tirelessly to win you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Experienced Nassau & Queens Construction Accident Attorneys
Being injured in a construction accident can be life-altering. Let Bornstein & Emanuel, P.C. handle your claim and help you obtain the medical and financial resources you need to recover. Contact us today to get started on your construction accident claim. ¡Hablamos Español!
Bornstein & Emanuel, P.C. handles New York construction accident cases of any type in Nassau County, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan from their office in Garden City.
