Most Common Types of Construction Accidents that Result in Serious Injury or Death

Every year, construction site accidents in New York result in many injuries and even deaths. While the severity of construction site accidents varies, the following article examines the four most common types of accidents that cause the most serious injuries, including death.

If you have been injured while working on a construction site in New York, you should ask yourself, "Who is the best construction litigation attorney near me?" A competent lawyer can hold negligent parties accountable and get you the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.

Electrical Accidents

The most common type of construction accident is caused by contact with power lines. Because of the extraordinarily high voltage carried by overhead and underground power lines on a construction site, they are extremely dangerous.

Electrocution is not the only type of injury that can happen. Burns and falls from great heights are also potential hazards.

Another common cause of electrical mishaps is the improper use of electrical equipment, such as using equipment outside when the label clearly states that it should only be used indoors. Another example is using cords or instruments that have worn insulation or exposed wires.

Falls

In the construction industry, falls from heights are the leading cause of death.

Falls most commonly occur in the following situations:

• Unprotected sides and floor holes without a safety net or personal fall arrest system
• Improper scaffold construction
• Unguarded protruding steel rebars, resulting in impalement
• Improper use of portable ladders, such as not positioning and securing the ladder

According to New York regulations, scaffolds must be erected under the supervision of a "competent person," according to New York regulations. Despite this regulation, scaffolding mishaps continue to occur when construction workers attempt to access a scaffold in a dangerous manner and fall.

Struck-By Accidents

Another common cause of construction-related deaths is being struck by heavy machineries—such as trucks or cranes.

Forklift accidents are also a major cause of worker fatalities in New York each year. Vehicles, as well as falling and flying items, are frequently involved in accidents.

Struck-by accidents are more likely to occur when construction workers are working beneath cranes or scaffolding or when they are hit by flying particles or nails when using power equipment.

Trenching and Excavation Accidents

Working in trenches and excavating are two of the most dangerous jobs in construction.

Soil weighs 2000-3000 pounds per yard, resulting in death by asphyxiation or drowning. A pile of evacuated debris that is too high or too close to the edge of a trench or excavation site is also a recipe for disaster. The piles have the potential to roll back on top of workers or create a cave-in. Even entering and exiting trenches or excavations can be deadly if no ladders, stairways, or ramps are in place.

Regular inspections of trenches and excavations are necessary to avoid potentially life-threatening working conditions.

Final Thoughts

Construction workers, like all other workers, have the right to a safe working environment. The reality, however, is that construction jobs are inherently dangerous.

When a construction worker is hurt on the job, they may suffer life-changing injuries that necessitate months—if not years—of medical treatment and care. An injured worker will often seek the assistance of a construction accident lawyer in New York to collect compensation beyond workers' compensation, which is usually not enough to cover all expenses associated with a serious injury.

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Created on Aug 20th 2021 03:32. Viewed 267 times.

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