Workplace accidents can happen at any jobsite and at any time. Construction sites are inherently dangerous with workers operating on high elevations, scaffolds, slippery and unstable surfaces, and handling large, heavy equipment. Construction accidents can, no doubt, result in catastrophic injuries or even death.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2009, for every 100 full-time workers, there were 3.6 cases of work injury accidents. There was a total of 3.3 million reported work injury accidents that year. There was a decrease in construction accidents in the year 2009 compared to the year 2008 as well. In fact, there were 71,700 fewer construction accidents that year. For every 100 full time construction workers, 4.3 were involved in non-fatal work injury accidents.
The other industry that saw a decrease in work-related accidents from the year 2008 to the year 2009 was manufacturing. It is not clear if this trend was due to an increase in workplace safety or due to a decrease in overall construction activity stemming from the nationwide economic and housing slowdown.
Whenever a New York construction accident occurs, there is the potential for a serious injury or death. Injured construction accident workers can seek workers compensation benefits through their employers to cover damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, and cost of rehabilitation. In addition to workers compensation, construction workers may also be able to file a third party claim. Such claims are usually filed against parties other than employers who may have caused or contributed to an accident. Third party claims may be filed against parties including, but not limited to general contractors, sub-contractors, property owners, and manufacturers of defective products.
It is the duty of every employer in New York State to provide a safe and secure workplace for employees. Construction companies and general contractors are not exempt from this rule. In fact, it is extremely important for construction companies to do their due diligence in making sure that a site is safe before workers begin the job.
The experienced New York personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have a lengthy track record of securing fair and full compensation for the injured construction workers of New York. We understand the financial hardships suffered in a work-related accident. If you have been injured in a construction site accident, please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496) for a no-cost consultation. We can also help you with personal injury cases in 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 phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit our website: www.work4youlaw.com