There are many types of construction accidents in New York. Construction is one of the most hazardous industries for people to work in. Even when workers have years of training and they strictly follow all of the safety guidelines, accidents still frequently occur.

Fortunately, New York Labor Law has many protections for workers of construction accidents in New York state.

New York Labor Law section 200 imposes a duty on third parties, such as general contractors, agents, and owners, to exercise reasonable care and to provide workers with a safe work environment.

New York Labor Law section 240 protects workers on scaffolds, or construction workers doing work at heights. This statute places liability for accidents that occurred to workers who have fallen off scaffolds on third parties such as general contractors, owners, or project developers, because they did not adequately provide safe devices for their protection. The reason for this statute is because workers aren’t in any position to protect themselves and falls from heights can cause serious injuries if not death to the construction workers.

New York Labor Law section 241 places liability on contractors or owners of projects for any negligent failure to reasonably and adequately protect the safety of employees in construction, demolition or excavation projects. It outlines actions that must be taken on construction jobs sites for employee safety.

Here are the most common types of construction accidents in New York:

Scaffolding Accidents

Accidents that occur from great heights such as falls from scaffolds or ladders cause many of the worst injuries in construction. Employees injured from scaffolds may have a case if their employer did not provide adequate safety devices to prevent accidents and injuries from heights.

Crane Accidents

Crane operation requires extensive training because of the dangers of the job. Cranes can tip over. They can drop the load they’re carrying. They can collapse. Cranes can hit power lines and operators can be electrocuted. These are just a few examples of accidents that can injure or kill operators and even members of the public.

Falling Objects

Construction workers risk a lot working on job sites. They work in precarious positions. They risk being hit by fallen objects. Even a small object that falls and hits a worker can cause massive injuries leading to disability or even death.

Machine Defects

If machinery is not adequately taken care of or if safety guidelines are not provided, workers can seriously injure themselves while operating heavy machinery. They may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.

Were you injured in a construction accident or did you’re loved one die due to a negligent construction project owner or general contractor? Consult with an experienced New York personal injury attorney for advise about your specific case. You may be entitled to compensation.