A man in his 50s was killed in a construction accident after the saw he was operating slipped and fatally sliced his throat. According to a report in The Staten Island Advance, the man was working at a roadwork site on Maine and Fiske avenues. He was using a saw to cut a pipe when he apparently slipped and cut his hand and throat. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and rushed the worker to an area hospital. The man was pronounced dead on arrival. Further details about the circumstances of the incident were not known right away. The incident is still under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this deceased worker.
Struck-By Accidents
Being struck by objects or struck-by accidents are one of the four leading causes of fatal construction accidents, also known as the “Fatal Four,” according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). About 75 percent of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment such as trucks or cranes. However, there are a number of these incidents that occur when tools such as saws or hammers fly off workers’ hands and land on other workers or bystanders in the area.
Workers are in constant danger of falling objects when they are working underneath cranes, scaffolds, etc. or at locations where work is being done overhead. There is also a danger from flying objects when power tools or activities such as pushing, pulling or prying may cause objects to become airborne. Injuries in such cases may range from minor lacerations to concussions, loss of sight or even death.
Workers who operate power tools must be provided with safety glasses, goggles, face shields, etc. particularly in the case of machines or tools that may release debris. Tools such as saws and lathes should be inspected often to ensure that protective guards are in good condition. Workers should also be trained in the proper operation and safety of equipment and tools in a language they understand.
If You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a construction accident, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your legal rights. First, it is important to report the incident to an immediate supervisor and/or your employer. Get medical attention and treatment as soon as possible. Doing so not only gives you the best shot at a quicker recovery, but also creates documentation showing the nature and extent of your injuries and the treatment you received.
Try to secure as much evidence as possible from the scene including photos, videos and contact information for eyewitnesses, etc. It would also be a good idea to preserve any malfunctioning tools or equipment so they can be carefully examined for defects. If you are unable to remain at the scene because you are injured, ask a friend, family member or your personal injury lawyer if they can do that for you. Stay away from all social media and refrain from posting anything about your life or your case online because what you say online can well be used against you. Immediately contact an experienced New York construction accident lawyer who will fight to protect your rights every step of the way.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Workers who are injured in construction accidents can seek workers’ compensation benefits. Families of workers who are killed in construction accidents may be able to seek death benefits as well. In addition, victims may be able to file a third-party claim for substantial money damages against a party other than an employer or co-employees and seek compensation for their injuries, damages or losses. This allows victims and their families to have two sources of compensation available to them. Examples of third parties include general contractors, sub-contractors, building owners, property managers, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction 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.
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 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
Source: https://www.silive.com/news/2018/08/cops_man_dies_from_freak_const.html