Staten Island Workers' Compensation Law Blog

Workers in every profession are exposed to dangers from the mundane to the extraordinary – and let’s face it, most of the dangers we face every day are fairly mundane.

But there are professions in which workers face extraordinary dangers, and some of them occur right in your neighborhood. To get a feel for what might be the most dangerous professions, we looked at two recent surveys. The results might be surprising.

If you receive an injury on the job in New York, your employer's workers' compensation insurance should cover your expenses and lost wages. However, sometimes the company will deny a claim. When this occurs, you have a good chance of overturning the decision if you fight back by appealing the denial. 

According to the Claims Journal, some common reasons a company may deny a claim include:

• Pre-existing conditions
• No evidence of the injury
• Use of drugs or alcohol
• Untimely reporting of accident
• Misrepresentation
• Cause of injury is unknown
• No defined injury
• Not related to work
• Intent to injure oneself

Those who work in the construction industry face a variety of hazards on the job, from falling materials and objects to the dangers that come with using certain types of machinery. However, electrical shock is a serious concern and these accidents have caused many construction workers to suffer various hardships. If you are an electrician, or if you simply find yourself on a job site where there is a risk of electrocution, it is pivotal to be aware of these risks at all times. Unfortunately, many construction workers have suffered serious injuries and even passed away in these accidents.

Construction workers can become electrocuted while working in many different ways. For example, someone may be carrying a ladder and fail to notice an overhead power line. Or, someone may be using faulty equipment or a damaged extension cord and suffer electrical shock. It is crucial to watch out for certain areas where the risk of electrical shock may be even greater as well as hazards, such as standing water, that can significantly impact the likelihood of an electrical accident.

Multi-level construction sites with large equipment and hazardous materials are common in New York. At Angiuli & Gentile LLP, our experienced team helps clients injured at the worksite with the workers' compensation claims. 

Arbill reports that four types of accidents were responsible for more than half of all construction site deaths in 2015. Some measures can be taken to prevent these accidents and make the workplace safer.

• More than 100,000 construction site injuries and deaths were due to falls. Employers can reduce this number by including safety harnesses, lines and nets for workers who must be far above the ground. Guardrails and toe-boards around elevated platforms, runways and dangerous equipment can prevent you from getting too close to the edge when carrying out your duties.
• Being struck by falling, swinging or rolling objects was the second leading cause of death on construction sites. Wearing a hard hat, safety glasses and other protective gear can prevent severe injury in many cases. Avoid areas where work is taking place above your head, or heavy loads are hoisted.
• Electricity can cause catastrophic injuries. Take precautions by wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment to reduce the chance of electrocution. Safety classes conducted by employers can help provide you with the information needed to stay safer on the job.
• Being crushed or squeezed between objects can occur when a person is pulled into or under a piece of equipment or as a result of falling materials. Shut down equipment before walking away or doing repairs and avoid the machinery's crush points and pull-in areas to minimize risk.