A New York construction worker was fatally injured in a recent workplace accident. According to reports, the 47-year-old construction worker was working in East Greenbush, approximately150 miles north of Manhattan, when the accident happened. The worker was employed by a paving company and was lowering a light tower at the time the accident happened. Apparently, the tower made contact with overhead power lines, setting off a fatal burst of electricity. Witnesses to the accident said the victim was consumed by the ensuing fire before anyone could do anything to help.
Electrocution Construction Accidents
Construction accidents happen all too often throughout the State of New York and across the country. Injuries and deaths caused by electrocution are among the most common types of construction accidents. In fact, deaths from electrocution are the fourth most common type of fatal accident for construction workers, according to the Center for Construction Research and Training (CCRT). CCRT statistics tell us that as many as 150 workers die annually from electrocution as a result of working in the construction industry, and many more suffer serious injuries as a result of accidents involving electricity.
As the recent death last points out, a construction worker need not be employed as an electrician to come into contact with electricity. Construction workers from all trades regularly come into contact with sources of electricity. Construction sites often have exposed wires or sources of electricity present. In addition, much of the equipment used in the construction industry is powered by electricity. In essence, anyone working in the construction industry is at risk of becoming the victim of electrocution.
If a worker is exposed to enough electricity, the exposure can be fatal; however, even exposure to a less than lethal voltage, or for a less than lethal amount of time, can cause serious injuries. Common injuries that occur as a result of an electrical shock include damage to the heart and lungs, nerve function damage, burns and disfigurement. Many of these injuries can leave the victim in chronic pain for life. In addition to the physical pain or scars that a victim may have to live with, an electrical accident can also leave the victim with serious emotional scars.
Regulation of Exposure to Electricity for Construction Workers
As with all facets of the construction industry, there are numerous federal and state laws that regulate electrical equipment, electrical wiring and anything else that has to do with electricity. A worker who could come into contact with electricity should be well protected; however, that is not always the case, as the latest accident points out. Many questions remain surrounding the death of the 47-year-old worker. Was he required to remove the light tower? Was he properly trained for the job? Should the tower have been removed prior to the paving company’s starting work on their part of the job?
If you have been injured by electrocution in a New York construction accident, or if you have lost a loved one as the result of a fatal electrocution, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you and your family have suffered. There are numerous possible sources of compensation when a victim is involved in a construction accident, depending on the facts of the case.
The construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., have seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.