The job of a construction worker is never easy. They do physically demanding work in taxing environments. Part of a construction worker’s duty entails carrying large objects across the job-site. Other duties have construction workers operating heavy machinery. Workers need to stay focused on the task at hand and not what may be lying underfoot, which is why it’s imperative that construction sites are kept clear of all debris.
Every year, thousands of workers are injured by tripping and falling over various items that should not have been left lying on the ground. On every construction site, there is an obligation to keep all extraneous items off the floor to help ensure the safety of everyone involved on the project.
If you or a loved one has been injured because of an accident involving a trip and fall on a construction site, you are eligible for benefits to pay for your medical bills and lost wages. You may also be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the injuries that you sustained if someone failed to provide a safe work environment. To learn more about obtaining compensation for your workplace injury, contact Kaplan Lawyers PC.
What Is The Leading Cause of Death Among Construction Workers?
Falls are the leading cause of death among construction workers. These injuries are entirely preventable. They typically occur due to unsafe work environments and, thus, are the responsibility of the employer or supervisor. Some of the most severe fall-related injuries happen when a worker falls from one level to another, as is the case in scaffolding collapses, ladder-related accidents and falls from rooftops. But tripping and falling from cluttered walkways can also result in terrible injuries.
Workplace falls can lead to injuries like broken wrists or ankles, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and internal damage, to name just a few. As all workers know, serious injuries have many consequences that go well beyond pain and suffering. For many construction workers, a fall-related injury means time off work, lost income and diminished work capacity. This can cause financial hardship, making it difficult to pay medical bills or rent and to provide for a family.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers are guaranteed the right to a safe workplace. Many are covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault program, which means that a worker is entitled to benefits regardless of who was responsible. The principle behind workers’ compensation is that no worker should be made destitute because of an on-the-job injury. These benefits ensure a level of financial security for someone who has suffered an injury that prevents them from working.
Unfortunately, employers sometimes look for ways to circumvent workers’ compensation and insurers seek to limit the payments they give workers. It is not uncommon for an injured worker to find that their benefits fall short of covering the costs associated with their injuries. Other workers might discover that they are denied benefits altogether, often because they are misclassified as contractors. The good news is that all injured workers, regardless of their classification, have legal options.
Options Beyond Workers’ Comp…
Workers can file appeals to receive bigger workers’ compensation payments. They can also file personal injury claims against an employer if they aren’t covered by workers’ compensation or if their employer denies benefits. Yet another option for some workers is a third-party claim, which enables a worker to file a claim against another (non-employer) negligent party.
It might not be clear which path is right for you. That’s why we offer free consultations to those who want to learn more about their options. The team at Kaplan Lawyers PC has years of experience with construction worker injury cases, and we are happy to meet with you to discuss the best course of action in getting compensation.
Employers Owe Workers a Safe Workplace
It is up to the people in charge of a worksite to make sure that the environment is safe for workers. They should identify and address any hazardous conditions on the premises.
There are many ways a site supervisor can help keep the job area safe:
- Ordering / storing more items than are necessary for the job
- Using salt to de-ice surfaces in the winter
- Using textured material to provide friction on slick surfaces
- Keeping all wires and cords tightly bundled and out of the way
- Keeping walkways clear at all times
- Promptly disposing of all waste
- Safely storing all equipment and never leaving equipment hanging or upright
- Attending to spills immediately
- Taping down any electrical wire to prevent potentially ensnaring loops
- Applying highly visible and easy-to-read warning signs to any danger that cannot be immediately remedied.
Need Help? Contact Us
Whenever you’ve suffered injuries from a worksite trip and fall, you deserve compensation. To make sure you are treated fairly and to get the benefits you’re entitled to, call our experienced team of New York workplace injury attorneys.
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan has focused his career on advancing his legal knowledge though the day to day practice of law. Jared is a partner in the law firm of Kaplan Lawyers PC in Syosset, New York and has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years. His career started in litigation, so Jared is aware of the pitfalls in litigation and uses that knowledge in the representation of his clients in complex matters. [ Attorney Bio ]