Personal Injury Lawyer Representing Injured Victims in New York City
Did you know that a small car can hit an object at 2,833 pounds of force per square inch? Well, that same force of impact occurs when an eight-pound wrench falls from 200 feet. Construction sites carry more risk than one might imagine.
Dropped objects have been a problem as long as gravity has existed. Many contractors fail to take the necessary precautions to prevent fall-related injuries by providing workers with personal fall protection systems for themselves or their tools. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 50,000 people are struck by falling objects in the United States each year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has deemed falling objects among the top four leading causes of construction accident deaths. Those who survive being hit by falling objects may still have lasting injuries that can include traumatic brain injury; back, neck, or spinal cord injuries; head injuries; piercing injuries; severe cuts and disfigurement; and loss of sight.
What Are the Causes of Injuries from Falling Objects?
The sad reality is that many injuries caused by falling objects are completely avoidable. Here are some of the most common causes of falling objects hurting people at construction sites:
- Lack of signage warning that work is occurring overhead
- Workers accidentally dropping tools or other objects
- Objects falling from ladders, scaffolding, or platforms
- Stacked boxes or crates toppling over
- Inadequate or improper securement of loads being lifted overhead by machinery
Generally speaking, if your accident occurred in the course of your work as a construction worker, you will be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, but you may also be entitled to file a personal injury claim under certain circumstances.(Construction Accident Third-Party Injury Claim). As a member of the general public injured by a falling object at a construction site, you will likely be able to recover compensation for both your economic and non-economic losses, including lost income, medical expenses, property damage, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Case If You Were Injured by an Object Falling from a Construction Site in New York
Our New York Construction Accidents Attorneys are committed to helping victims recover the compensation they deserve. Call the Rybak Firm at (718)307-5554 or complete our online contact form for a Free Consultation about your accident and the legal options available to you.