Falling Objects on Construction Sites in New Jersey
Many times, construction sites can be very dangerous places for both pedestrians as well as the individual construction workers employed at the site. It is also very common for people to think of someone falling from a height when hearing about construction site injuries when in fact, some of the most critical construction site injuries occur from falling objects colliding with people at a lower level. Extremely serious injuries that result from falling objects on construction sites can include brain injury, paralysis, or even death. The most common types of fallen objects include hammers and other small tools, pieces of brick or other masonry material, and unsecured crane loads.
Construction Site Falling Object Accidents
Falling object injuries and other debris related injuries most often occur on construction sites, and therefore put construction workers at the highest risk for such injuries. A study done by the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) found that one-fifth of employee deaths in 2013 occurred on construction sites. The four most common types of fatal injuries have been identified by OSHA and include:
- Falls
- Object Strike
- Electrocution
- Caught In/Between Machinery or Heavy loads
Pedestrian Injuries in NJ
On a busy block, thousands of pedestrians can walk by a construction site on any given day and may be in danger of being injured by a falling object. When this, unfortunately, does occur, it is normally due to falling items or loose debris falling from a high level. It is most common that these injuries occur when pedestrians use sidewalks directly in front of construction sites. Furthermore, these injuries occur when pedestrians are permitted dangerously close to the construction site due to lack of barricades, enter unsecured construction sites after hours, or when inspectors visit these sites but fail to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment recommended by OSHA.
Extremely Danger Prone Areas
It is common for many construction sites to restrict access to the walkways beneath where the construction is happening using cones or barricades in order to protect people walking below. Although this may be the case most of the time, it is still critical for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings at all times especially near a construction site with a heightened risk of injury.
Tools, platforms and other moving objects are typically located at a higher level within a construction site. If not properly managed, these objects could be very dangerous and result in fatalities. Moreover, these highly placed structures can be vulnerable to changing wind conditions which could result in an accident.
It is also very common for the surrounding area around an elevated construction site to be enclosed within a scaffolding. If the scaffolding is not properly assembled or secured, it can be in danger of collapse and in turn, result in accidents or injuries to pedestrians. When a scaffolding is not implemented in a construction site, it creates an even higher risk for those people who walk below the site. Small mishaps such as failing to properly install windows and a high elevation can result in an accident or serious injury to any person regardless if they are employed at the job site or are simply bystanders. Additionally, transporting tools or materials also pose similar risks and hazards.
Get in Touch with a Construction Accident Lawyer in Edison, NJ
It is the obligation of both construction site owners as well as the construction company to ensure that the site is kept safe and up to regulatory safety standards. Injuries and even death can occur if these parties fail to ensure the safety of the site and may be liable for damages resulting from an accident. These accidents can be avoided through the use of barricades, regular equipment inspections, securing tools and equipment safely, and utilizing a scaffolding or other types of protection such as netting. Medical bills from these types of injuries can be staggering and require an experienced attorney to get the money you need and deserve from the offending party. Contact Lombardi and Lombardi today so that we can get started on your case immediately and get you the help you need as soon as possible.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
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