New York is a fast-paced city, and construction sites are fast-paced places. This combination can create a potentially dangerous environment for construction workers. Often the amount of money a construction job makes is directly related to the time it takes to complete it. When workers and supervisors are under pressure, they may ignore or forget certain safety precautions and pay for themselves and their coworkers. Because of this, New York law provides protection for workers. New York construction workers who have been injured on the job may be entitled to damages beyond workers’ compensation, depending on the situation and the type of New York construction accident.
Falls and Falling Object Injuries on New York Construction Sites
New York construction workers who have suffered a slip and fall or been injured by falling objects can sustain serious injuries as a result. If these types of injuries occur in conjunction with the use of a scaffold, there are extensive legal protections under New York Employment Law to help accident victims and their families. Pursuant to Section 240 of New York labor law (the “scaffold law”), supervisors and building owners must maintain the safety of a construction job site when it comes to working at height differences. They may be liable for fall accidents that occur if they fail to provide a safe work environment.
Falls from ladders, roofs, and other heights can be the direct result of an unsafe work environment and therefore beyond the control of the injured person. In these cases, injured workers may be entitled to damages from their employer beyond worker’s compensation. New York leads the nation in providing construction workers with slip or trip and fall protection with scaffolding law.
Defective Equipment Accidents in New York
Poorly manufactured or maintained construction equipment can create extremely dangerous working conditions. Malfunctioning power tools or malfunctioning mechanical equipment can seriously injure the user. In many cases, it is the supervisor’s responsibility to clean, repair, and train workers in the proper use of these items. The manufacturer of the tools used on New York construction sites may also be liable for damages caused by them, if the tools are defective. Construction workers injured by malfunctions or faulty equipment can recover damages for their injuries with the help of a New York construction accident attorney.
Construction site injuries can be very serious. Construction is one of the most dangerous professions, and in New York there is a demand for more workers and faster jobs. However, this does not justify unsafe working conditions and the injuries they cause. To read more about construction worker rights, visit BlockOToole.com, where your experienced New York construction accident lawyers can review your situation and fight for your rights as a worker.