Construction is dangerous work by its very nature. OSHA reports that construction accidents account for a fifth of all worker fatalities each year. The problem is made needlessly worse when construction workers’ tools and equipment malfunction and cause accidents and injuries.
When tools and equipment are defective in their design or manufacture and injuries result, injured workers may be entitled to file product liability claims. This is in addition to claims for workers compensation benefits. Workers not properly trained in the use of equipment and tools or not issued safety equipment may be entitled to file claims against their employers and property owners under New York Labor Law under certain circumstances.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe LLP, our experienced construction accident attorneys help injured workers hold responsible parties accountable for paying the compensation victims deserve. We have been successfully representing injured Long Island construction workers for more than a decade and we are committed to obtaining the best results and maximum compensation for our clients.
Contact us now to find out how we can help you. The consultation and claim evaluation are free.
How Malfunctioning Tools and Equipment Injure Workers
As discussed in an OSHA publication entitled “Hand and Power Tools,” there are various hazards associated with defects or improper usage of different types of tools common in the construction industry. There are many examples of misuse of equipment can be extremely dangerous.
Here are a few examples of how a defective tool can cause an injury on a construction site:
- The tip of a chisel used as a screwdriver can break and fly off, hitting the user or a nearby worker.
- The head of a hammer or ax can fly off and strike someone else if the wooden handle is loose, cracked or splintered.
- Abrasive wheel tools may disintegrate or explode during startup, sending flying fragments at workers.
- Workers can be hit by pneumatic tool attachments or fasteners being used with the tool.
- Fuel vapors from liquid fuel tools can burn or explode, injuring workers.
- Power-actuated tools operate like loaded guns and are so dangerous that they should be used only by specially trained workers.
Injuries Caused by Construction Equipment Malfunction
A wide range of large equipment and powerful tools are used in the construction industry on a daily basis. When equipment malfunctions, it can cause injury to the worker operating the equipment or to other workers nearby.
Injuries caused by defective or malfunctioning equipment can be serious or catastrophic. They may include:
- Amputations.
- Bone fractures.
- Burns.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Severe lacerations.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Crush Injuries.
- Electrical shock.
- Eye injuries and loss of vision.
If you suffered any of these injuries, it is crucial to contact workplace accident lawyers Long Island as soon as possible after the accident. Besides keeping up with the statute of limitations, immediate legal action might help you enjoy a quicker recovery. Your attorneys will consider all economic and non-economic damages you might be entitled to so you can benefit from a fair settlement and increased chances to get your life back on track from a physical, mental, and financial point of view.
Legal Help for Workers Injured by Malfunctioning Tools or Equipment
When you work with the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, in a construction accident matter, you will have experience in your corner. Our dedicated team of attorneys has more than 100 years of combined experience in Long Island personal injury attorney litigation, including construction and workplace accidents.
We take prompt action and work closely with our clients to develop the most favorable legal position. We fully investigate accidents, which often includes taking photos, interviewing witnesses, obtaining accident reports and consulting with experts to inspect equipment and machinery and reconstruct accidents.
If you have been injured in a construction accident as the result of malfunctioning equipment or machinery, contact us now for a free case evaluation. A knowledgeable Long Island injury attorney from our firm can advise you of your legal options. We handle construction accidents on Long Island and nearby areas including Nassau County, Suffolk County and Queens.
Sources:
- OSHA: Commonly Used Statistics
- OSHA: Hand and Power Tools
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Long Island, call 516-358-6900
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