Construction Site Accidents
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 150,000 construction accidents every year. Male construction workers are 48 times more likely to sustain a serious injury on a jobsite than female construction workers. The most common jobsite or workplace injury is to a worker’s torso or back, followed the legs and then the arms. Lacerations and nerve damage are common, as are hearing loss, partial or complete blindness, and disfiguring scarring. Most injuries are inflicted by:
- construction site falls;
- falling objects;
- scaffolding accidents and defective scaffolding;
- machinery accidents and defective machinery;
- structural failure and building failure;
- electrical shock;
- equipment failures and defective equipment;
- part failures and defective parts;
- workers hit by cars;
- fires;
- explosions;
- toxic chemicals.
The odds are that one in ten (1 in 10) construction workers will suffer an injury this year. Workers’ Compensation prevents construction workers from suing their employer for injuries sustained in construction site accidents. However, a construction worker may be able to bring a lawsuit against a negligent third-party. Negligent third-parties often include:
- Other trades on a jobsite;
- Those responsible for jobsite maintenance;
- Manufacturers of defective equipment;
- Manufacturers of defective machinery;
- Manufacturers of defective parts; and
- Those responsible for maintenance of equipment and machinery.
New York State has special laws, known as “Labor Laws” that protect construction workers from injury or, if injured, that permit construction workers to recover from some or all of the people or companies that caused or contributed to their injury. The specific provisions of the New York State Labor Law are:
- Section 200;
- Section 240; and
- Section 241(6).
Section 200 is a general provision that requires jobsite owners and contractors, and their agents, to provide a safe workplace for construction workers and lawful visitors, and imposes liability for injuries sustained at an unsafe workplace. Section 240 is a specific provision concerning precautions that must be taken to prevent construction site falls, or falls from a height, and liability for fall-related injuries. Section 241(6) is a specific provision concerning steps that must be taken to ensure compliance with the New York State Industrial Code, and liability for violations of the New York State Industrial Code.
The trial lawyers at Bottar Law, PLLC, have decades of experience investigating, prosecuting and trying to verdict cases involving construction site accidents. If you or a loved have been injured while working at a jobsite, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for lifelong health care, medical expenses, medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
To discuss your case or concerns with an experienced Central New York construction site accident attorney,
contact us now at (315) 422-3466, (800) 336-LAWS, or by e-mail at info@bottarleone.com.