Westchester County Construction Accident

Accidents that occur at construction sites can been devastating. Because of the dangerous nature of construction work, the injuries from an crane, scaffold and other type of construction site accidents are usually severe, including spinal Injuries, broken bones, burns, and heard injuries. With the proper safety equipment and training often these accidents can be avoided, or minimized. Sadly, despite the existence of both federal and local regulations related to workplace safety such accidents are not uncommon. If you were injured in a construction accident due to the negligence of another person, it is important that you immediately speak with a Westchester County construction accident attorney as you may be entitled to receive compensation for your financial loss, as well as pain and suffering.

Construction work is inherently dangerous, involving the use of heavy equipment and involving work that is often at high elevations. Because of this the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has detailed safety rules that employers must follow to reduce the possibilities of workplace accidents. Despite these rules, New York construction workers still remain at risk for serious on-the-job injuries. Common types of construction accidents include:

1. Falls. Construction workers often work in unfinished buildings that have no walls, on top of roofs, on scaffolding, and at excavation sites. Each of these types of worksites are at high elevations. Falls are the most common type of construction site accident. In 2012, out of 806 constructions site accidents in the United States, 276 were due to falls.
2. Electrocution. Construction sites tend to have exposed power lines and wiring. As a result construction workers are at great risk for electrocution. In 2012, out of 806 construction site deaths across the country, 66 were due to electrocution.
3. Struck by object. At construction sites falling debris is common, particularly during demolition projects. Whenever work is being completed at high elevations there is the possibility of any type of debris or equipment to accidentally fall and strike a worker.
4. Fires and explosions. Another common type of construction accident is a fire or explosion leaving victims with serious burns. Fires and explosions start from dangerous chemicals and gases, unfinished electrical systems and other hazards.
5. Occupational illnesses. In addition to injuries, construction workers are susceptible to work related illnesses and impairments such as musculoskeletal disorders, hearing loss, and eye injuries.

Construction accidents can cause devastating injuries and even death. Injuries commonly seen at construction sites include:

• Electrical and chemical burns
• Traumatic amputation
• Deep cuts and abrasions
• Injuries to the back
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Bone fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries

Depending on the facts of your case, if you are hurt in a construction site accident due you may be entitled a number of types of compensation. The source of the compensation is determined by who was responsible for the accident. As New York law requires all employers to carry workers' compensation insurance, if your employer or c-worker was at fault, you will likely entitled to benefits from workers' compensation insurance. If a sub-contractor, property owner or equipment manufacturer was at fault, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Through a personal injury lawsuit you may be able to recover past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering. If your loved one died as a result of a crane accident, you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.

If you have been hurt at a construction site, contact our legal team. Construction site accident cases are complex. While you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, we will also determine whether you are entitled to compensation over and above the workers' compensation award. That staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in representing clients who have been injured in construction accidents, as well as in other types of accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.