Falling Object Accidents

Construction workers must always be on their guard, not only by taking care not to cause injury to others but also by remaining aware enough of their surroundings not to become the victim of someone else’s mistake. Construction accidents come in many forms, but one of the most common is falling object accidents, which occur when unsecured items fall from above or fly through the air and strike workers. If you have been injured in a falling object accident on a construction site, a falling object accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. 

Falling Object Accidents Are a Leading Cause of Workplace Injuries

Falling objects are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries on construction sites. The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies these types of accidents as part of its “struck by falling object or equipment” category, which includes being struck by falling, flying, swinging, and rolling objects. In 2019, there were a total of 134,620 nonfatal “struck by” accidents and 241 fatal accidents. Thus, these types of accidents account for 15% of the total number of nonfatal workplace accidents and 5% of deadly accidents. 

Examples of Falling Object Accidents 

There is an almost limitless number of reasons why objects fall at construction sites and an equal number of items that are capable of causing injury when they fall and strike workers. These types of accidents can occur seemingly at random, and, in some cases, the victims are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Scaffoldings are common locations for falling object accidents, as workers on higher levels can inadvertently drop objects onto other workers or passers-by below. Some other examples of falling object accidents include: 

• Falling brick, masonry, lumber, pipes, or electrical equipment
• Collapsing beams, girders, and ceiling material 
• Dropped tools, paint buckets, or other equipment
• Improperly stacked materials that fall over
• Loads inadequately secured to cranes that fall to the ground
• Scaffolding collapses 
• Failure to use safety devices to catch falling debris 

Being struck by a falling object can have devastating consequences for the victim, even in cases where the object itself may be small. Beyond broken bones and crushed limbs, victims of falling object accidents also face the risk of traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Both types of injuries can have life-long effects. 

A Falling Object Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation for Falling Object Accidents

Legal remedies for injuries caused by falling objects depend upon the circumstances of the case. For example, if a coworker caused your injury, you likely are entitled to file a workers’ compensation claim. If you were injured by a third party’s negligence (for example, a subcontractor), you may be able to pursue a third-party claim. However, an experienced falling object accident lawyer can help you sort out your case and decide which avenue of recovery will be best for you. 

Contact a Long Island Falling Object Accident Lawyer for More Information 

If you were harmed in an accident caused by a falling object at a construction site, you should consider speaking to an attorney who can evaluate your case advocate on your behalf. To get started, please contact a Long Island falling object accident lawyer at Turley, Redmond, Rosasco & Rosasco by using our online form or calling 516-745-5666 with office locations in Garden City, Shirley, and Ronkonkoma.