The construction industry is one of the most dangerous nationwide in terms of injuries caused. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in the construction industry, there were 16,590 nonfatal injury and illnesses that required days away from work in 2020. In 2019, more than 1,050 construction workers died nationwide as a result of worksite accidents.
Demolition Work is Dangerous
Demolition work can pose a number of dangers, particularly if safety measures
are not followed. There are often factors related to a building’s structural integrity that can pose issues for workers. Also, heavy construction equipment such as large cranes and wrecking balls, which are often used in demolition projects can present more dangers to workers on the ground who are at risk of being struck by falling objects, equipment or debris.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), recognizing these hazards relating to demolition work, has set forth specific guidelines for construction companies and contractors. These guidelines require proper project planning, effective communication among work teams, proper use of safety equipment and training for workers.
Demolition Related Hazards and Injuries
OSHA defines demolition as the “dismantling, razing, destroying or wrecking of any building or structure or any part thereof.” Demolition involves additional hazards because of specific factors and situations and can lead to deadly construction accidents. These factors include:
• Changes from the structure’s design introduced during the construction process
• Modifications from the original design that are approved or unapproved
• Materials such as lead, asbestos and other chemicals or heavy metals that require special handling
• Unknown strengths or weaknesses of construction materials
• Hazards created by demolition materials that are being used.
Construction managers should be fully aware of hazards they may encounter as well as the safety precautions that must be taken to protect workers. As a result of these dangers, construction workers involved in demolition may suffer serious personal injuries related to faulty demolition including:
• Falling off scaffolding
• Being struck by falling objects or debris
• Electrocution
• Getting hit by heavy equipment
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Toxic exposure from chemicals or heavy metals
Pursuing Compensation
Workers who are injured in faulty demolition accidents end up suffering serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment, lengthy hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation and ongoing care. In addition to the physical pain that a victim deals with, these types of injuries extract an emotional toll, not just on victims but also their families.
Injured construction workers may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, they may be able to file a third-party lawsuit for substantial money damages against a number of parties, and thus have two sources of compensation. Third-party claims are filed against parties other than the employer or co-employees and may include general contractors, sub-contractors, building owners, managing agents, construction companies, etc. In cases where a worker dies from injuries suffered on the job, surviving family members may seek death benefits through workers’ compensation and/or file a wrongful death claim against a third party.
If you have been injured in a faulty demolition accident at a construction site, it is important that you take certain steps to protect your rights including, reporting the incident promptly to your supervisor, getting medical attention and treatment and ensuring that crucial evidence from the accident scene is preserved. It is also important that you document all your medical and other expenses relating to the injury.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you have suffered injuries in a construction-related accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job — one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Our law firm also recovered $3,000,000 for a man who fell and suffered two broken legs when he walked into an open elevator shaft. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com