A construction worker was seriously injured last week when he slipped and fell 15 feet to the ground as he was installing a steel beam at 3 World Trade Center in New York City. He suffered a head injury and broke both arms, according to news reports. Only a thorough investigation by authorities will tell us why the accident occurred; however, John Gallagher, a spokesman for Tishman Construction, which serves as the construction manager for 3 World Trade Center, said that at the time the worker was following all OSHA-prescribed safety procedures.
The World Trade Center construction sites have been the scene of other construction accidents. In February, a crane dropped a load of steel beams 40 stories to the ground, crushing a flatbed truck but fortunately causing no injuries. In June, a worker fell six feet onto rebar, fracturing two ribs and bruising his liver. The following day, a crane crashed a beam into windows on the 46th floor of 4 World Trade Center, which shattered a window and caused glass to rain down on the street below. Again, no one was injured.
New York Construction Accidents
Anyone in the construction industry knows that accidents are common because of the inherently dangerous nature of the work. Nonetheless, injuries are preventable. Many accidents on construction sites are actually the result of negligence.
Falls, like the most recent accident, are among the top five reasons construction workers are injured on the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 635 fatal falls on construction sites in 2010. Falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolding account for almost half of all fatal falls in workplaces.Falls are also among the most costly accidents, according to the 2011 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index.
Construction Accident Injuries and Responsibility
A worker can sustain a variety of injuries in a fall, including head and brain injuries, neck and spine injuries, broken bones, and internal organ injuries.Crane accidents, electrocution, crush accidents and injuries from falling objects are also among the most common types of construction accidents. Construction accidents are often serious, even fatal.
Injured workers may not realize their legal options. Although workers’ compensation is often an option, a worker may also be entitled to compensation through a third party such as a contractor, sub-contractor, developer or property owner. Because numerous companies often work on the same construction site, a construction worker’s injuries may result from the negligence of someone other than his or her employer. Only an experienced New York construction accident attorney can look at the facts of your case to determine your legal options.
A New York/New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyer Can Explain Your Options
If you have been injured in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, be sure that you protect your rights to compensation by retaining the services of an experienced construction accident attorney. Contact the New York/New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd to discuss your legal options. With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today for your free consultation by calling 888-446-2783 or filling out our online contact form.