A construction worker in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was killed recently when a 1,700-pound pipe fell on him, WCBV in Boston reported. The worker was holding a guide rope as an excavator lifted a 40-foot pipe out of a flatbed tractor-trailer. At some point, the gigantic pipe became dislodged and fell eight feet onto the worker, who was crushed under the weight. The worker was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Local police, the National Grid Internal Audit Team, the Public Service Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were investigating the accident to determine why the pipe came loose and whether any safety violations were involved.

Construction Dangers

New York construction workers face all types of perils on a daily basis. Workers accept that their jobs are potentially dangerous and that accidents can happen. Often, however, an “accident” is really the result of negligence. Falling-object accidents are among the most frequent types of accidents caused by negligence.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists being struck by an object among the four most common types of fatal accidents in the construction industry.  In 2011, 73 construction industry workers died from being struck by objects, accounting for 10 percent of all construction deaths.

Although OSHA statistics tell us that worker deaths have dropped from an average of 38 per day back in 1970 to just 13 per day in 2011, even one workplace fatality is too many.

If you have been injured or lost a family member as a result of a New York construction accident you could be entitled to third-party compensation in lieu of, or in addition to, workers’ compensation.

Contact the New York/New Jersey accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., to find out what legal options you have. With seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Get a free consultation by 888-446-2783 or filling out our online contact form.