Construction workers are at greater risk of becoming injured in a fall accident because they often work at elevated heights. Falls are one of the leading causes of construction site accidents. Workers can fall and suffer devastating injuries when employers fail to maintain a safe work environment.
Injuries resulting from construction accident falls are usually severe, and the rehabilitation process often involves surgery, ongoing rehabilitation, and expensive medications. If you have been injured in a fall on a construction site, an attorney can help you pursue compensation for your past and future medical expenses and other types of compensation, including pain and suffering. Contact CDH Law PLLC today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.
Pursuing a Central New York Claim After Experiencing a Construction Accident Injury Caused By a Fall
Many construction injuries could have been prevented if an employer or a co-worker used reasonable care. Many fall accidents are caused by a lack of proper safety procedures or by not providing construction workers with the necessary safety equipment and training. When employers know their workers will be working at great heights or exposed to maintenance holes, they should ensure their job site meets all safety requirements.
Causes of Construction Accident Injuries Caused By Falls
There are three leading causes of construction falls, including dangerous working conditions, lack of safety training, and failure to provide workers with safety equipment. Preventable falls can occur when employers fail to provide their employees with safety equipment. For example, dangerous falls can occur when employees fail to use guardrails, covers, protection systems, and harnesses.
A lack of safety training causes other falls. Employers must train employees about known job hazards and how to operate safety equipment properly. Finally, dangerous working conditions on construction sites can lead to falls as well. When sides of a building are unprotected, the scaffolding is unsafe, or there is unnecessary work site debris, construction workers have a higher risk of being seriously injured while on the job. Other causes of construction accident falls include:
- Improperly constructed scaffolding
- Inclement weather when performing roof work
- Unguarded elevator shafts
- Unmarked excavation sites and trenches
- Defective ladders
- Unmarked or unprotected wall openings, ledges, and floor holes
Common Injuries Caused By Construction Falls
Construction workers frequently sustain severe injuries because of construction site falls, especially when they fall from a distance of 6 feet or higher. Generally, the greater distance the construction worker falls, the more severe the injury will be. Some of the most common injuries that come from construction site falls include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Severe abrasions or bruises
- Injuries resulting in amputation
- Permanent disabilities
- Death
Falling to a Lower Level
Fall prevention training is widely available for construction companies. Unfortunately, many New York construction companies fail to implement preventable measures that stop falls to a lower level. The three main causes of lower-level falls include a lack of ladder safety, scaffolding safety, and roofing work safety.
Falls from Scaffolding
Scaffolds need to be constructed before construction workers can use them, presenting unique dangers for construction workers. When scaffolding has not been built safely, it might not be able to hold the weight of the construction workers plus all their supplies and materials.
Other common hazards with scaffolding include a lack of proper guardrails and toeboards on all sides of the scaffold. Ladders present dangerous conditions when they cannot support at least four times the maximum intended load or when workers use them without following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finally, roofers can experience dangerous falls when they work in hazardous conditions caused by snow, paint, rain, or other slipping hazards. Wrongly fitting or defective personal fall arrest systems can fail to protect roofers when they fall off the roof. Finally, unguarded roof openings or other skylights that aren’t marked off with guardrails can result in dangerous falls from heights.
Slip and Fall Accidents on Construction Sites
Slip and fall accidents can also be dangerous on construction sites. Inclement weather can cause ice, snow, mud, or rain that can cause slipping. Workers can trip on materials, power cords, grease, paint, and excess sawdust when employers fail to keep their workplace free from debris. Service defects, such as potholes, temporary walkways or ruts, can also cause slip and fall accidents.
Recovering Compensation After a Construction Accident Fall Injury
Over a victim’s lifetime, severe injuries caused by construction accidents can result in hundreds of thousands or even over $1 million in medical expenses. For example, you may require significant, durable medical equipment if you have suffered a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury. You may need to undergo multiple surgeries, stay in a rehabilitation facility, or have around-the-clock medical assistance.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, it’s crucial that you talk to an attorney as soon as you can. You may be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party or parties and recover the total and fair amount of compensation you need and deserve. The attorneys at CDH Law PLLC have the resources and experience necessary to evaluate all the damages you have incurred and will incur in the future. We will work with financial and medical experts to determine the total value of your claim. Once we understand your case has value, we will begin aggressively negotiating a favorable settlement agreement.
Discuss Your Syracuse or Central New York Falling Construction Accident Case with an Experienced Attorney Today!
Construction accident fall victims may have several options for recovering the compensation they need and deserve. If you or someone you love has suffered a fall injury while working at a construction site, the skilled personal injury attorneys at CDH Law PLLC are here to help. We will discuss your potential claim with you during a complimentary consultation to determine if you have a right to file a lawsuit against your employer or another negligent third party. Contact CDH Law PLLC today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your rights.