Injured by Falling Objects? You Need a Lawyer.

There are a number of ways that construction workers may be injured on the job, but one of the most common is falling objects. A dropped tool or piece of building material from any height could strike a worker’s head down below, causing severe or fatal head and brain injuries. If you are injured by a falling object, you may be entitled to compensation. Read on to find out why you need a lawyer after being injured by a falling object.

How Common Are Falling Object Workplace Injuries?

Struck-by objects are the second-leading cause of construction worker death in the United States, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In 2016, 93 construction workers died from falling objects striking them. Meanwhile, about 75% of struck-by fatalities involve heavy equipment, such as trucks or cranes.

This means that construction workers are particularly vulnerable to these types of accidents. While agriculture, construction, and manufacturing workers are most at risk, firefighters, police, transportation employees, and even office workers can be injured by falling objects.

What Qualifies as Being Injured by a Falling Object?

According to the National Safety Council, the country’s leading nonprofit safety advocate, falling object injuries are incredibly common and are one of the leading causes of work-related deaths. There are several ways that construction workers may be struck by a falling object, including: 

• Working or walking below elevated work surfaces
• Materials being moved overhead
• Improperly stored materials
• Power tools and activities such as pushing, pulling, or prying
• Grinding or striking materials
• Air pressurized above 30 psi can drive oils and other particles through the skin

Providing safety training and prioritizing safety are the best ways employers can prevent falling object injuries. Workers must take due care in securing materials and properly operating equipment to prevent falling objects. Product manufacturers must ensure they design and produce safe and effective equipment for the construction industry. Such lapses anywhere along the chain of command could result in a dangerous struck-by incident. 

I’ve Been Injured By a Falling Object. What Do I Do?

Falling objects or struck-by injuries can lead to severe injury or even death. 

The liable party for injuries by falling objects will be the person or company most responsible for causing the victim’s injuries. This could be an employer, site manager, property owner, product manufacturer, or third party. It could also be a combination of more than one party. If you file an injury claim, your attorney must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached this duty, and caused the struck-by accident. Your lawyer will need to identify the source of injury, gather evidence, and present your case to a judge or jury.

If you believe you are a victim of negligence after being injured by a falling object, it is crucial that you seek out legal representation that can evaluate the claim and detect potential avenues for compensation. 

Contact the New York Attorneys at SPBMCC To Schedule a Free Consultation

If you or someone you care about sustained an injury from a falling object you may be entitled to compensation. The New York personal injury lawyers at Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo (SPBMCC)  work with clients in all areas of personal injury, including construction industry injuries. Contact us today at (212)732-9000 for a free consultation about your situation.