Construction around the New York/New Jersey area seems never to end. For the men and women who make their living in the construction industry, this is good news; however, it also means that there are hundreds of serious construction accidents in New York and New Jersey each year. Unfortunately, some of these accidents result in fatal injuries. Others leave the victim with lasting injuries, and still more are only minor accidents that are frequently not reported. Even minor accidents, though, should be properly reported, for a variety of reasons.
The Risk of Complications
Construction workers are typically fairly healthy people who don’t complain much about tough working conditions. They are also hesitant to say anything when they are injured unless the injury clearly requires immediate medical attention. While a work ethic that calls for working through minor injuries can be commendable, there is a risk involved in not reporting even a minor injury.
If you are injured and fail to report the injury, you may have problems down the road if the injury gets worse or complications arise. A simple cut, for example, could become infected and require medical attention. By the same token, a sprain or pulled muscle may not seem like a serious enough injury to make a report, but it could also worsen over time, making medical care necessary.
By not reporting a construction accident when it happens, you may complicate the process of eligibility for workers’ compensation or compensation obtained through a personal injury lawsuit. Causation is a focal point of both workers’ compensation and a construction accident lawsuit. In order to be entitled to compensation, you must prove that the injuries you sustained were a result of a work injury or accident. By not reporting the accident, you may have a tough time proving that the injuries were caused by the construction accident.
Safer Work Environment
By reporting accidents, you will make your workplace a safer environment for everyone who works there. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, regulates workplaces and enforces the laws and regulations that govern them. These laws and regulations are in place for a reason — to make workplaces safer. The construction industry is heavily regulated by OSHA because of the inherent danger of a construction site.
What may seem like a small, inconsequential accident to you today could actually turn into a serious hazard to everyone working on the site tomorrow. By putting your employer on notice of the accident, your employer has the opportunity to correct the problem that caused the accident before it becomes more serious. If you feel you are having breathing problems from an improperly ventilated work space and you fail to say anything, you could essentially be putting everyone at risk of serious medical complications from breathing in toxic dust. The list of possibilities is endless, but the point is the same: Reporting a small construction accident today could save someone’s life tomorrow.
If you have been injured in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation for those injuries. The construction accident lawyers at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., have both the experience and the resources to properly investigate your injuries and fight for the compensation to which you are entitled.
With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation, or fill out our online contact form.