Living in a big city comes with its pros and cons. One of the biggest cons, besides the heavy traffic and noise, is the never-ending construction taking place. Big cities are constantly developing to accommodate more and more people. From high-rises to shopping plazas, new construction is always just around the corner from you. Whether it’s the building next door to where you live, or a construction site on your way to work, there are things you should keep in mind to maintain your safety around construction sites.
Construction is innately dangerous. After all, it’s an unfinished structure full of open holes, power equipment, nails, wood boards, and uneven terrain. That’s why it has to be sequestered from the main population with barricades and warning signs.
A simple mistake at a construction site by any worker can lead to major damage to the pedestrians who are passing by. Construction site negligence can even lead to death. Since pedestrians don’t wear protective gear, any falling debris might injure them. Falling debris can be anything from unsecured tools to building materials.
We would like to hope that construction accidents are rare, but they actually happen quite often. According to the New York Post, in the past five years “59 people have been struck by falling debris from NY construction sites.” And the numbers continue to rise.
One example was a 37-year-old woman who died in a tragic accident after a piece of plywood smashed into her. She was struck on West 12th Street while walking past a luxury condo construction site. The woman, who was engaged to be married, died shortly after the accident.
The Dangers of Construction to Pedestrians
Construction companies take some safety measures to protect pedestrians, but accidents still happen. Construction in New York City is ongoing in busy areas, where a lot of pedestrians are exposed to different risks, such as:
- Being hit by a construction vehicle
- Slipping and falling (one of the more common injuries sustained at construction sites)
- Being struck by an object or falling debris (this one happens quite a lot and it is very dangerous)
- Stepping onto a nail or other sharp object
Insufficient barricades, a lack of warning signs, and carelessness can make a deadly combination. There should ALWAYS be protective barriers set up around construction zones to protect passersby from getting hurt.
In addition, anyone who is walking or driving past a construction site should be careful of their surroundings. For you to win a personal injury lawsuit against a construction company, you must prove the company had a duty that it didn’t uphold, and that you were injured because of its failure.
If You’re Injured, Contact a Lawyer Who Knows Construction
From trips and falls to toxic chemicals; from the common (and painful) nail sticking out of a board to a sharp piece of rebar; construction zones present many dangers to pedestrians.
If you or a loved one has been injured at a construction site as a worker or passerby, you need an experienced law firm. The Case Handler has worked on numerous construction and workplace accidents in the state of New York.
We’re committed to helping victims of construction accidents get justice and receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Our NYC construction injury lawyers know the various regulations, and we will fight for your maximum recovery. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for other clients, and if possible, we want to do the same for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
