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Recent Fatal Accident in Brook...

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Recent Fatal Accident in Brooklyn Shows Dangers in Construction Industry

  • November 24, 2016

Legal Representation for Construction Workers and Their Families in Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls, NY

Tragedy struck a Brooklyn construction site on October 11, 2016, when a crane hook hit a construction worker, causing him to suffer a fatal fall. The accident site is at 61 Bond Street. The worker was one of a number who were helping to construct a hotel. The fatal accident certainly brings home the dangers associated with the construction industry.

Fatal Construction Accidents Are on the Rise

According to a U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the number of fatal work injuries in the construction industry is on the rise. It was up six percent in 2014, the last year for which full statistics are available. In fact, construction fatalities rose to 874 in 2014 from 828 in 2013.

OSHA Says Many Construction Injuries and Fatalities Could Be Prevented

According to studies sponsored by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), many construction accidents – particularly those that result in fatalities – could be avoided if basic common sense safety protocols were followed. Conditions that lead to many accidents include the following:

  • Inadequate scaffolding
  • Inadequate supervision of construction sites and workers
  • Inadequate safety training
  • Failure to wear safety harnesses or helmets
  • Setting work schedules that promote speed, instead of safety
  • Failure to cordon off open shafts and other hazardous areas at the site
  • Inadequate scheduling of breaks and downtime (vocational experts indicate many accidents occur when the worker is fatigued)

Exact Nature of Brooklyn Fatality is Not Yet Known

The exact circumstances that led to the recent fatality in Brooklyn are not fully known. Some point to the possibility that fall protection rules were not being followed. OSHA Rules generally require that construction employees be protected from falling six feet or more by some sort of personal fall arrest system, a safety net system, or other protective device. Reports differ, but the Brooklyn incident may well have involved a fall of greater than six feet.

Falls Among Common Construction Accidents

Construction experts indicate that falls are some of the most common construction accidents that cause injury or death. Others include:

  • Falling objects
  • Back-overs and crushed injuries related to vehicles
  • Fire and explosions
  • Trench or building collapse

Head Injuries Are All Too Common

In spite of widespread use of safety helmets at many construction sites, head injuries are nevertheless quite common. Closed head and other traumatic brain injuries, such as those that occur when a worker is struck in the head by a falling object, a crane boom, or a piece of machinery, can cause brain damage and permanent paralysis, as well as death.

Other common construction injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Joint sprains, including ankles, knee, and shoulder
  • Amputation of fingers, toes, or limbs
  • Cuts and lacerations from nails and other sharp objects at the site
  • Loss of hearing
  • Back pain due to repetitive lifting
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from traumatic incidents, even those that affect others

Experienced Legal Counsel is the Key to Recovery for Construction Accidents and Fatalities

Because a host of factors can lead to a construction injury or death, most experts agree that a skilled, experienced, resourceful attorney is the key to recovering damages. The premises owner, the construction general contractor, and others all have teams of attorneys to represent their interests. The accident victim and his or her family deserve nothing less.

The law firm of Stenger, Diamond & Glass LLP not only has the skill, but the experience and resources to help you recover the damages that you may deserve. One of the most highly respected law firms in Hudson Valley, we have offices in Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls. If you have a legal need, we have a solution. As one of the largest firms in Dutchess County, we have the power to bring substantial resources to your case, no matter how complex the issues. Call us at (866) 290-6929 or complete our online form.

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