Hit by Operating Equipment Lawyers
Construction work is important work that helps keep NYC humming along. Anywhere you look in the City, you’re likely to see a construction site or two. With all that work going on, there are bound to be accidents. Unfortunately, construction accidents are among the deadliest accidents – and construction accidents that relate to being run over by operating equipment are some of the most dangerous and terrifying accidents out there. If you or someone important to you has been run over by operating equipment on the worksite, it’s time to consult with an experienced NYC workers’ compensation attorney.
OSHA’s Big Four
Occupational Health & Safety shares OSHA’s big four or fatal four when it comes to accidents on construction sites, which include:
- Falls from heights
- Struck-by accidents
- Caught in or caught in-between accidents
- Electrical shock
The vast majority of serious construction-related accidents fall into these four classifications. Accidents involving being run over by construction equipment, however, are in a class of their own, and OSHA implements extensive rules and regulations to help stem their deadly occurrence.
The Heavy Equipment on Construction Sites
Construction sites have no shortage of massive equipment that poses considerable danger on the job, including:
- Backhoes
- Bobcats and other skid-steer loaders
- Bulldozers
- Cranes
- Dump trucks
- Excavators
- Forklifts
- Front-end loaders
- Lifts
Being run over or backed over by any of the operating equipment on a construction site can prove deadly, which makes having exacting safety precautions firmly in place imperative.
Common Causes
While every run-over accident has its own unique set of circumstances involved, there are several common causes.
Inadequate Training
Operating any kind of vehicle is an immense responsibility, and when the machine in question is a massive piece of operating equipment on a construction site, that responsibility increases exponentially. When construction companies fail to ensure that their heavy machinery operators have the necessary training and experience to handle them safely, deadly accidents can ensue.
Failure to Adequately Account for Blind Spots
The larger the machine, the larger the blind spots experienced by its operator. When the operator sits far atop a massive piece of construction equipment, it can make these blind spots even more dangerous. When both heavy-equipment operators and the construction crew aren’t well educated and focused regarding these dangerous blind spots, it makes life-threatening accidents more likely.
Inadequate Communication
Construction sites are busy places – with an incredible number of moving parts. When there is inadequate communication in general (or with heavy equipment operators specifically), there is a breakdown in communication, and/or there are inadequate means of communication, it can end in disaster.
Seek the Legal Counsel of an Experienced NYC Workers’ Compensation Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction site run-over accident, the compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys at Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman – proudly serving NYC for more than 80 years – have the experience, drive, and legal savvy to skillfully advocate for your rights in dedicated pursuit of your rightful compensation. Your claim is important, so please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at 212-285-3300 today.
