Ten Most Common Construction Accidents in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is located on the western side of Long Island and is home to more than 2.5 million New Yorkers. With such a large population, new businesses, homes, and roads are constantly being built. 

Construction is one of the most dangerous industries in which employees can work. Construction sites are often full of obstacles and hazards that make personal injuries likely.  

Even minor construction accidents in Brooklyn can result in long-term damage and catastrophic injuries. When someone’s negligence results in construction accidents in Brooklyn, victims deserve to seek justice. 

If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction site accident, do not hesitate. You may be owed significant compensation for the losses and expenses arising from the incident. 

It is critical to secure legal representation following a construction injury in Brooklyn. To speak with accomplished personal injury attorneys in New York, reach out to the firm of Morgan & Morgan.  

Our knowledgeable team of Brooklyn litigators knows what it takes to recover financial compensation for our clients. We will not rest until you have received compensation for the losses from your Brooklyn construction accident. 

Because our compassionate attorneys understand the expenses that accident victims face, we provide no-cost consultations to prospective clients. To schedule your free legal case evaluation with one of our skilled tort lawyers, complete the Morgan and Morgan contact form on our firm’s website.

Most Common Construction Accidents in Brooklyn

In New York City, construction accidents are unfortunately common. Across all five boroughs, fatal construction site mishaps have been on the rise. 

In one recent year, construction site injuries were up by 17%. According to an NYC Buildings report, there were more than 100 construction accidents in Brooklyn in 2020.  

So if you have been injured on or near a construction site, you are not alone. A knowledgeable attorney will help you recover financial compensation to get your life back on track. 

All construction accidents in Brooklyn involve a unique set of circumstances. However, construction sites often feature similar hazards and dangers.  

Because of this, some types of construction accidents in Brooklyn are more common than others. The ten most common types of construction accidents and injuries are:

1. Falls From Heights

Construction site employees are often required to work from significant heights. Safety equipment is usually required to keep them from being harmed. 

However, falling accidents are some of the most common mishaps on Brooklyn construction sites. Construction site employees can become injured after falling from: 

• Scaffolds
• Roofs
• Ladders
• Walkways
• And more 

You might be entitled to significant compensation if a construction site owner’s negligence led to your accident or injury. Regardless of the reason for the falling accident, some employees can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. 

If your accident or injury was the result of another party’s negligence or carelessness, you have options. Reach out to the firm of Morgan & Morgan for representation following construction accidents in Brooklyn. 

2. Struck by Debris

Workers often deal with heavy tools, objects, and materials on construction sites. When a heavy piece of machinery or material falls from a significant height, it has the potential to cause harm. 

If non-secure debris strikes you on a Brooklyn construction site, you are at risk for significant injuries. Being struck by debris does not only happen to those employees working on a construction site. 

In rare instances, pedestrians walking near a building site may be struck by falling debris. In these cases, it can be difficult to determine who is legally liable. That is why you should speak with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

3. Electrocution

Electrocution is one of the leading causes of construction site injuries. Electric shock can result in serious and long-term medical complications. 

Some of the typical symptoms following an electric shock include: 

• Burns to the skin
• Loss of consciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Erratic or weak pulse
• Confusion
• Seizures
• Cardiac arrest
• And more 

If you have experienced any of these signs or symptoms following electrocution, seek medical attention immediately. 

4. Mechanical or Equipment Failure

Many construction site employees are required to operate heavy machinery to complete their work. Heavy equipment and machinery can cause significant injuries when it malfunctions or contains a defect. 

Some examples of the heavy machinery used in the construction industry include: 

• Excavators
• Bulldozers
• Graders
• Loaders
• Wheel tractor scrapers
• Pavers
• Compactors
• Dump trucks 

When a component of a large machine is defective, it can cause the equipment to malfunction. In these cases, injury victims may be able to file a product liability claim with the manufacturer or designer of the machinery. 

Consult with one of the legal professionals at Morgan and Morgan to explore your options for recovery. Our team will help you hold defective machinery manufacturers accountable for the harm that their products cause.

5. Trip and Falls or Slip and Falls

Not all falling accidents happen from a high elevation. Even ground-level falling accidents have the potential to result in serious injuries. 

Construction sites are often full of loose tools and building materials. If an obstruction blocks your path and causes you to trip, you could sustain serious bodily harm. 

In other circumstances, construction sites may have wet surfaces. This can cause workers to slip and hurt themselves. 

You could pursue financial recovery if you were hurt in a trip or slip accident on a construction site. Employees are entitled to earned workers’ compensation benefits no matter the cause of their accident or injury. 

Because New York workers’ compensation relies on a “no-fault” approach, employees can apply for benefits whether their employer was negligent or not. The seasoned lawyers at Morgan and Morgan have helped many clients apply for benefits following construction accidents in Brooklyn.

6. Lack of Safety Equipment

Many workers on construction sites rely on safety equipment to prevent injuries and bodily harm. Some of the most common types of construction site protective gear include: 

• Hard hats
• Eye goggles or other protection
• Work gloves
• Hearing protection, such as earplugs
• Full face shields — for grinding, chipping, and welding
• Respiratory equipment
• Fall protection equipment
• And more 

Injuries become much more likely when workers do not have access to the proper safety gear. Employers have a duty to keep their workers safe. Speak with a tort lawyer if you have sustained an injury following construction accidents in Brooklyn.

7. Caught Between Objects

Because construction work involves heavy materials and machinery, employees sometimes become caught between two large objects. For instance, machinery that is not properly operated can tip over, causing someone to become trapped. 

Some instances of this type of accident are unavoidable tragedies. However, other accidents are the result of unsafe behavior or negligence. 

8. Repetitive Stress Injuries

Construction industry employees are often required to engage in repetitive physical movements. Some examples include repetitive: 

• Lifting
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Vibrations from machinery
• Holding uncommon body positions
• And more 

When you repeat a movement over and over, the related muscles and tendons may become damaged. This type of harm is called a “repetitive stress injury” or “repetitive motion injury.” 

Unlike damage resulting from catastrophic accidents, these injuries occur slowly over time. Still, victims of repetitive motion injuries have the right to pursue financial compensation for any resulting costs and losses.

9. Structural Collapses

These are some of the most dangerous accidents that can occur in the construction industry. If a building or other structure collapses, those below face a significant risk of serious injuries. 

These accidents can result from many different causes, including weak foundations, lack of structural support, or architectural design flaws.  

In extreme cases, structural collapses result in fatal injuries. If you have lost someone you love to this type of construction accident, do not hesitate to seek legal counsel.  

Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to pursue the compensation that the decedent would be owed if they had survived. Families can also recover funeral, burial, and end-of-life expenses.

10. Burn Accidents

According to research from the American Burn Association, more than 486,000 fire and burn injuries happen each year. Those who work on construction sites are at particularly high risk for these injuries.  

Some of the common causes of construction site burn injuries are: 

• Gas line explosions
• Electrocution and electrical shock
• Exposure to harsh chemicals
• Uncontrolled fires
• Welding mishaps
• Exposure to hot surfaces or hot liquids 

If you have sustained a burn injury, a personal injury lawyer can help. The team at Morgan and Morgan has spent more than three decades recovering financial compensation for our clients.