Types of Accidents
Types of Construction Accidents
There is any number of different accidents that can occur in a construction zone, and the victims are not always limited to those working on the site. Designated construction areas in locations with little space or clearance from adjacent property can be hazardous even when they properly marked and divided. New York City is a prime location for these types of accidents because of congestion and population density, especially in light of the fact that New York is constantly growing and being modified through construction projects. Even demolition events before beginning construction can be problematic in windy conditions when the demolition team proceeds in spite of being potentially uncontrollable. In fact, demolishing some old structures is at least partially performed by workers for certain aspects of some projects, which always leads to regular opportunities for collateral accidents of various types.
The most common accidents on construction sites include:
Falling Accidents
The most common of all construction accidents is falling, whether it is a result of slipping and falling while walking or when a worker falls off of the edge of a structure or between floors. Even a general slip-and-fall accident at walking level con produce serious injuries such as broken bones or a head or spinal injury, and many times the injury is a long-term medical issue. This can also occur to site visitors or those walking by the site as well as individuals working at the site.
Being Hit by an Object
Construction sites are locations of constant movement while the operation is ongoing and many accidents occur when construction equipment is out of control. This can be a result of human error or mechanical failure, and can also include mobile construction such as forklifts. Many times object accidents actually occur as falling object accidents when work materials or equipment becomes dislodged from an elevated floor. Hard hats are regularly of little protection when serious falling object injuries occur, and injuries can very substantial.
Electrocution
While electrocution is commonly limited to construction workers who work in electrical operations, accidents involving live electrical wires are also common. Cleaning up hazards such as water spills is not always as much of a safety priority on some sites as others, and live lines combined with access to fluid contact always spells danger, especially when live lines have fallen into open water.
Pinch Accidents
One of the most common construction site injuries is when workers are caught in between work equipment and a wall or barrier when the equipment is out of control, whether it is being operated or not. These types of injuries can be fatal just as falling from overhead or being struck by a falling object, and will often result in serious injuries such as broken limbs.
This is merely an overview of the different types of accidents that can happen in a construction zone setting, and it is always vital to have an experienced construction site injury attorney like the personal injury professionals at Jeff Shapiro Law representing your injury case. Serious construction site injuries are always defended vigorously, and you will always need your own legal team negotiating for your financial recovery rights.
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