Building and Construction Accidents

Even the most carefully supervised construction sites present significant risks to property, the public and construction personnel.

Heavy construction is an inherently hazardous industry. Although the days when passerbys looked up to see construction workers snoozing on steel beams on the 55th story of the Empire State Building are long gone, the dangers were real then and are still real today.

O'Malley & Langan deals with a wide range of claims arising from negligence in construction and demolition, including but not limited to, accidents involving cranes, forklift, trucks, dumpers, scaffolding, ladders and machinery.

Federal Regulations (OSHA requirements) have reduced some of the risk in the construction workplace. However, construction remains the second most dangerous work environment. In the United States, about 1200 fatalities per year occur on construction sites. These accidents come in many forms. The most common type of accident resulting in fatality or injury is falling to a lower level. Other common accidents include transportation-related accidents, impacts and collapses, and electrocutions.

According to the law, employers are required to minimize the risk of injury by taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. When a construction site accident occurs, the owners, architects, insurance companies and equipment manufacturers can be held responsible for inadequate safety provisions. At O'Malley & Langan, we work hard to recover compensation for our clients to cover pain and suffering, the loss of past and future earnings, damage to property and possessions, prescriptions, medical fees and therapy, care and assistance for household chores, traveling expenses and adapted transportation.

If you are involved in a building site accident, you'll want to protect your rights.

• As soon as possible after the accident, enter the details in your employer's accident book. Try to enter them yourself, or insist on seeing the entry as it is being made.
• Write down every detail including a full explanation of events that led up the accident.
• Get the name, address and telephone number of every witness.
• Photograph any visible injury, as well as the location, facility, machinery or vehicle involved.
• Visit a Panel Doctor or your personal physician to record your injury and symptoms.

If you are involved in a building or construction site accident, contact O'Malley & Langan immediately.