String Of Accidents Highlights The Dangers Construction Workers Face

The New York Daily News highlights this fact by its continual coverage of such tragic incidents. It reports that in September 2015, a 30-year-old construction worker was working on building renovations on the Upper East Side when he fell, striking scaffolding below. His injuries were fatal.

The very next month, in October 2015, a 26-year-old worker was killed while helping renovate a building. Five floors of the structure collapsed, striking him with flying debris and pinning him in the rubble.

In November 2015, a 40-year-old construction worker died in a “freak” accident involving a mini-crane. He was attempting to fix a mechanical problem when he was crushed between the steel crane arm and his truck.

This string of accidents is not unusual. Construction workers face an array of dangers on a daily basis. Such dangers include:

• Falling objects
• Defective power tools
• Collapsing scaffolds
• Falls from ladders or roofs
• Tunnel or excavation cave-ins
• Machinery accidents
• Forklift rollovers
• Crane malfunctions
• Fires and explosions

The good news is that New York recognizes that the construction industry is one of the most hazardous of all industries. That’s why employees are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation provides benefits – including medical care and money for lost wages – for injured workers and their families.

If you were injured in a construction-related accident, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney skilled in this area of law. He or she can advise you about all your rights and options for getting the medical help and money you need during this difficult time. If a family member was killed in an accident, a workers’ compensation lawyer can also guide your family through the process of seeking benefits for the loss of your loved one.

Remember, you have legal rights after an accident. This is true whether you are an American citizen or an undocumented immigrant. Don’t let these rights go to waste.