In most instances where we discuss construction worker accidents, we are referring to lower-ranking construction workers who make their living doing the hard, hands-on labor of construction projects. However, the construction industry is dangerous for nearly everyone involved, including the managers and owners. It is a simple result of how dangerous construction sites are that anyone who is working on or around one is at risk of serious or fatal injury.
A New York man was killed recently in a construction accident while working on a hotel project in Manhattan. The man owned Kerry Contracting, which would lead one to assume that he was experienced around construction sites and safety. According to reports, he was crushed by a malfunctioning hydraulic system that was mounted on the truck from which he was unloading material.
Unfortunately, as tragic and shocking as this news is, it is not as uncommon in construction work as you might think. The nature of working around such large machines and tools as cranes and forklifts means that the slightest malfunction can result in a fatal accident, and there is often very little that construction workers can do. If you have a machine that you are relying on to help you with your work, you cannot be expected to assume that it will break, especially if it has been working well in the past.
The dangerous nature of their work may cause some construction workers to be understandably concerned about their own safety and the financial security of their families if such a tragedy should befall them. This is where workers’ compensation comes in. A workers’ compensation claim can ensure that you are given the money you need to make a recovery, or that your family is taken care of if the worst should happen. Legal assistance can ensure that you get the compensation you deserve based on the severity of your injuries.
Source: Daily Voice, “Yonkers Man Killed In Accident At Hotel Construction Site In NYC,” April 25, 2015