Injury from falling objects under construction / Demolition Sites
Construction sites are among the most dangerous of all work environments. Many injuries occur on the ground, for example, when a worker stumbles on a wooden batten or tool. Another important cause that can cause terrible injury to a worker is the falling object. Add to this the high level of volatility present during the demolition, and the construction area is a place of danger, in fact.
Injuries from falling objects occur when a piece of equipment or construction material is loose or left unsecured to some workers over distance. Any movement can then send the winding through the air to the ground. Or on top of a worker. Depending on the size of the material and the height from which it is dropped, the result can be anything from a couple of cuts and scrapes to permanent injuries and even death. While a New York construction injury lawyer can often help an injury victim recover the monetary damages, the injury remains.
What causes falling objects?
Construction workers in many cases implement tasks on beams or scaffolds high above the ground. Even a lone bolt accidentally started a ledge can be lethal if it falls from a great height. An accident with a crane in February at the construction site of the new World Trade Center caused a load of steel beams to fall 40 floors in a van. Fortunately there were no workers in the area below at the time; horrible death that surely would have been the result.
When demolition is used to move earth or demolish an existing structure, the hazards multiply. While demolition experts are trained in methods that minimize the risks of a controlled explosion, no amount of preparation can guarantee the safety of the workers, if present. An explosion causes the material to fly out of the source with tremendous force. If an individual is near neglect, catastrophic injuries can occur .
Aggravating factors
While it may be impossible to prevent injuries caused by falling objects in total, certain factors tend to aggravate the problem. Often it is construction work in a tight schedule for its conclusion. When compliance with deadlines becomes more important than ensuring worker safety, the site is compromised. Co-worker mistakes, minimal or nonexistent training, bad lighting, and inclement weather are also issues that increase the risks.
While contractors, managers and owners are often held accountable under the New York Work Act 240, the safety of falling objects is truly everyone’s domain in or involvement with the construction project.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York personal injury accident, experienced personal injury lawyers in Kenneth A. Wilhelm’s legal office can help you better understand your rights and legal options. Please contact us at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5486) for a free and complete consultation. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 states of the United States, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.