Important Steps to Take After a Construction Site Accident

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more than 3.3 million nonfatal construction site injuries are reported each year. Each year more than 92,500 days are lost from work due to construction site injuries. These shocking statistics don’t even account for the tragic and fatal injuries reported across all construction industries.

The bottom line is that although construction is an important part of our economy, it results in many accidents, most of which are serious. The workers put their lives in danger every day to build the skyscrapers and bridges that make New York famous, the houses we live in, and the roads we travel on. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, it is important to know that you have legal rights. You should hire an experienced attorney to protect these rights and to obtain the full compensation that you deserve.

Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents

There are many things that can, and often do, go wrong on construction sites. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), 10 citations are most frequently given on constructions sites that often result in accidents:

1. Fall protection
2. Hazard communication standard
3. Scaffolding, general requirements
4. Respiratory protection
5. Powered industrial trucks
6. Control of hazardous energy
7. Ladders
8. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment
9. Machinery and machine guarding
10. Electrical systems design

What To Do After a Construction Site Accident

When you are injured in a construction site accident, you may be confused as to what you should and need to do. Although no one plans to get into such accidents, it is best to know what to do in the event that you do, especially if you work in the construction field. Below are important steps you should take if you were injured in a construction accident:

• Call 911. Most construction site accidents result in serious injuries. If you or someone else involved in the accident has suffered injuries that require immediate medical attention, you need to call 911 and ask to be taken to the nearest emergency room.
• Report the accident. If your injuries were not severe enough to require emergency care, you should immediately report the accident to the construction manager, project owner or whoever else is in charge. Eventually, you or your attorney may also need to report the accident to OSHA and insurance carriers.
• Seek medical attention. If your injuries did not require the assistance of emergency care at the site of the accident, you should still seek medical care soon after the accident. Delay in treatment can worsen your injuries, even if symptoms are not immediately evident.
• Hire an attorney. Construction site accidents are often complicated and require the assistance of an attorney to hold the right parties accountable and help you obtain full compensation.

Call Us Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, we can help. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York construction accident attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.