NYC Attorneys for Construction Workers Who are Struck by Falling Objects in New York

As one of the reported “Fatal Four” causes of construction industry worker deaths, construction accidents involving falling objects are no laughing matter. Even a light object can easily concuss or kill a construction worker or an innocent pedestrian walking by. Workers in the heart of NYC are at a much greater risk of being struck by falling objects and knocked out of work. The professional lawyers of Proner and Proner can fight for you in court and help you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve suffered. Don’t hesitate to contact them at any time! Contact our offices today for a free consultation on your injury by falling object claim.

Contact Proner & Proner for a legal consult regarding your claim after being struck by a falling object.

Common Causes of Being Struck by Falling Objects in New York City

Reasons a worker may be struck by an object include:

• Faulty materials or parts that lead to a breakdown or structural collapse
• Malfunctioning or broken equipment
• Failure to hold onto or properly secure a tool or machine component
• Poor training
• Improper stacking of materials or supplies
• Incorrect use of a tool or piece of equipment
• Poorly secured load on a crane, hoist, or boom
• Overloading
• Failure to follow safety standards and OSHA regulations
• Not using safety devices capable of catching or stopping falling objects and debris
• Failure to post necessary warning signs

Catastrophic Injuries Often Resulting from Queens, NY Construction Accidents Involving Falling Objects

To put the danger of falling objects into perspective for you, consider this: The force of a falling object, even if dealing with something small, depends on how high up the item has fallen from. Considering the physics of gravity and force (which equals mass times acceleration), even a small tool can be deadly. As an example, if an eight-pound wrench dropped 200 feet would hit with a force of 2,833 pounds per square inch – the equivalent of a small car hitting a one-square-inch area.

As another example, one man delivering sheetrock to a construction site was once killed by a falling tape measure, which often weighs only half a pound. The independent contractor was leaning into a car window to speak with a coworker and when he pulled his head out, he was struck in the head and killed by a tape measure that a worker 50 stories above had accidentally dropped.

The force of falling objects are no laughing matter, and when they don’t kill a worker, they can often cause any of the following:

• Skull Fractures and Severe Bone Breakage
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Brain Damage
• Concussions
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Serious Lacerations or Bruises on the Head or Body
• Head or Facial Disfigurement
• Paralysis (Temporary or Permanent)
• Coma

Preventing Falling Object Injuries in New York

With how prevalent falling object accidents are in the construction industry, it is important to following proper OSHA guidelines and regulations and take them seriously. Most of the time, negligence is to blame for the accidents that happen, especially in regards the “Fatal Four”. Preventative measures are the key to saving New York worker lives.

The following is a list of safety procedures that can help prevent falling object accidents in the workplace:

• Wear protective safety gear (helmet, goggles, hard-toe boots, etc.) at all times while on the job
• Secure tools and materials using proper equipment such as netting, especially on scaffolding or up high
• Avoid being directly below areas where work is being done up high such as under ladders or scaffolding
• Never position yourself under a suspended load, always verify that the heavy equipment operator sees you, and steer clear of vehicles and heavy equipment in use
• Be aware and stay out of areas with warning signs posted regarding falling object hazards.
• Stay away from any barricaded hazard zones
• Use proper equipment and tools at all times
• Avoid stacking materials too high or improperly that would cause balance problems.
• Inspect tools and equipment before use
• If tools or equipment are determined to be faulty, never use them
• Do not exceed the lifting capacity of a crane, lift, or hoist
• Do not exceed the weight capacity for scaffolding

Workmans’ Compensation and a NYC Construction Worker’s Right to Sue

Injured workers often end up financially strained due to loss of wages from being out of work and racked up medical bills that are not covered by insurance. Families that lose a loved one also have other concerns such as funeral costs and emotional pain and suffering. New York Workers Compensation is in place to cover such incidents, however, they do not always fully cover all the costs incurred from the accident.

When workmen’s comp does not cover all of your costs and there was negligence or safety violations involved in the crane construction accident, you may be able to sue for coverage of these remaining costs. The lawyers at Proner & Proner can help with this by gathering crucial evidence and doing a thorough investigation regarding the incident. They can also assist you with showing and proving the full extent of the financial and emotional costs incurred by the accident.

Contact Proner & Proner for a Free Initial Legal Consult Regarding Your New York City Construction Accident Case

Second only to accidents involving workers falling from machinery or high places, being struck by an object is one of the biggest killers in the construction industry. Being the cause of around 10% of all construction accidents nationwide, Proner & Proner has a lot of experience helping clients with claims involving these types of incidents. With all these cases under their belt, an attorney at Proner & Proner can make the difference when trying to get full compensation for you costs and suffering. Contact us online today for a free initial consultation regarding your case. We have offices in New York, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and throughout the state of New York. We have also represented clients suffering accidents throughout the United States.