The construction industry is a booming part of the New York economy. From residential complexes to sprawling shopping centers to skyscraping office buildings, there are many different construction projects underway throughout the city and surrounding metropolitan area. Though machines and equipment are essential to putting up the homes and businesses that support New Yorkers’ lives, construction workers are the heart of the efforts that go into new building projects.
Unfortunately, though, construction workers suffer too many dangerous and sometimes life-threatening injuries when they are at work. In fact, there are four main forms of injuries that individuals in this line of work suffer, and they are known as the “Big 4.” This post will address them briefly but readers are reminded that this post does not contain legal or medical advice.
Falls are one of the most common and most serious construction site injuries. Construction workers can fall off of structures and scaffolds, equipment and vehicles, and many other things. They can also be struck by moving equipment and machines, and struck-by accidents are the second of the Big 4 injuries in the construction realm.
The third common injury in the construction field of work is caught-in accidents. These accidents involve workers getting stuck in or crushed in trenches and other building areas. Finally, electrocution, which happens when workers come into contact with life wires, causes worker injuries and deaths each year. When these and other construction site injuries happen, workers should always remember that they have rights and may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, damages, and losses.