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Winkler Kurtz LLP

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      • James R. Winkler
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    • Personal Injury
      • Motor Vehicle Accidents
        • Long Island Car Accidents
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        • Scaffolding and Ladder Falls
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        • Construction Accidents
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Attorneys
      • James R. Winkler
      • Richard D. Winkler
      • Jason W. Hake
      • Lindsey M. Albinski
      • Janet L. O’Hanlon
      • David S. Pollack
      • Daniel E. Brickley
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
      • Motor Vehicle Accidents
        • Long Island Car Accidents
        • Trucking Accidents
        • Motorcycle Accidents
        • Pedestrian Accidents
        • Serious Injuries
      • Workplace Injuries
        • Scaffolding and Ladder Falls
        • Struck By Object
        • Machinery / Equipment Injuries
        • Construction Accidents
      • Medical Malpractice
        • Birth Injuries
        • Brain Injuries
        • Misdiagnosis
        • Wrongful Death
        • Surgical Errors
        • Hospital Negligence
        • Failure to Diagnose
      • Slip and Fall Injuries
      • Wrongful Death
    • Divorce & Family Law
      • Child Custody & Visitation
      • Divorce Mediation
      • Equitable Distribution
      • Child Support
      • Orders of Protection
      • Spousal Support
      • Divorce & Family Law FAQ
    • Wills Trusts & Estates
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Powers of Attorney
      • Probate
      • Estate Administration
      • Wills & Trusts
      • Wills & Trusts FAQ
    • Real Estate
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

Construction Accidents

Each day, 14 workers are killed on the job nationwide. Of these workers, one in five work in construction. Over the course of a construction worker’s 45-year career, he or she has a 75% chance of experiencing a disabling injury and a 1 in 200 chance of being killed on the job.

Although we call them “accidents,” most construction site injuries are in fact the result of negligence. Sixty percent of construction accident injuries occur during the employee’s first year of work. With appropriate training, many of these injuries could have been prevented.

Leading Causes of Construction Worker Deaths

As construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S., it comes as no surprise that construction sites are fraught with potential hazards.

OSHA has identified the four leading causes of fatalities among construction workers, dubbed the “Fatal Four.” In order of frequency, these are:

  • Falls – 38.7% of total construction worker deaths
  • Struck by an Object – 9.4% of total construction worker deaths
  • Electrocution – 8.3% of total construction worker deaths
  • Caught between – 7.3% of total construction worker deaths

The sad reality is that most (if not all) of construction fatalities that are attributed to the Fatal Four could be prevented if employers, manufacturers, and workers complied with OSHA standards. Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 631 lives every year.

Falls

Construction workers may be at risk of falling from scaffolding and ladders, cranes, roofs, and other heights. Fall protection is the most-violated OSHA standard and falls are the most common type of fatal construction accidents.

Best Practices for Fall Prevention

  • Install guard rails on elevated platforms and around equipment
  • Use appropriate fall protection, such as harnesses, lines, nets, and railings
  • Keep floors clean and dry

Struck by Object

The second most common cause of death in construction accidents is struck-by-object injury. Even if a worker is wearing a hard hat, he or she could suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) if improperly secured tools or construction materials fall from above.

Best Practices for Struck-by-Object Injury Prevention

  • Secure tools and materials used in elevated work sites
  • Never work beneath a suspended load
  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and hearing protection

Electrocution

Electrocution can cause an array of injuries, ranging in severity from burns to cardiac arrest. Electrocution accidents most often occur due to unsafe equipment, unsafe environment, or unsafe work practices.

Best Practices for Electrocution Injury Prevention

  • Properly label electrocution hazards.
  • Power down hazardous electrical equipment when not in use.
  • Provide proper training and protective equipment (e.g. insulated gloves).

Caught Between

“Caught between” accidents account for the fourth-highest rate of construction worker fatalities. These can be particularly gruesome, as they occur when a worker is crushed between objects, pulled into machinery, or trapped in a collapse or cave-in.

Best Practices for Caught-Between Injury Prevention

  • Reinforce tunnels to prevent collapse
  • Secure machinery and loads to prevent them from falling over
  • Avoid wearing loose clothing that could be caught in machinery

Toxic Chemical Exposure: Another Type of Construction Injury

Most construction sites are home to an array of toxic chemicals, including lead, formaldehyde, and asbestos. Exposure accounts for 15.7% of all construction injuries, and construction workers account for 15% of all reported lead poisoning incidents in the United States.

Depending on the type and duration of exposure, a construction accident involving toxic chemical exposure may result in:

  • Chemical burns
  • Blindness
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Internal organ damage
  • Reproductive damage
  • Cancer
  • Birth defects

OSHA regulations require that employers protect workers from hazardous chemical exposure by training on safe handling, establishing safe exposure limits, and providing the necessary safety equipment, including respirators. Manufacturers and distributors of chemicals also have a responsibility to convey potential hazards to their customers.

If you have suffered from health problems as a result of toxic chemical exposure in a construction site accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, future wage loss, and pain and suffering. The law offices of Winkler Kurtz, LLP offer complimentary consultations to prospective clients. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights.

Get Help from a Long Island Construction Accident Lawyer

The skilled legal team at Winkler Kurtz, LLP has been practicing together for over 30 years, and has a long track record of winning settlements for injured clients. When you work with Winkler Kurtz, LLP, you can be certain that we will negotiate the highest compensation for your injury. Please contact us online or call our offices at 631-928-8000 to discuss the details of your case.

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Client Testimonials

I cannot say enough about Rich and his staff. Everyone was more than accommodating from day one. You are treated like you matter, and not just another case for their firm. Rich offers advice every step of the way to get the most out of your case while still letting YOU choose which options are best. Coming from someone who has dealt with other attorneys, none compare to Mr. Winkler. His knowledge, and attitude are second to none. I would recommend Rich to anyone with an accident case. Believe me, you are in good hands. Thank you Rich and staff. Could not have asked for more!!

- Rob Pearsall

To Whom It May Concern, I’m a union painter and was badly hurt when I was involved in a workplace accident on a job site in Manhattan. I hired Richard Winkler to represent me and they have been great. He and his staff keep me informed and are making sure that I can continue to be able to feed my family and to keep everything going, they are on my side no doubt about it. Needless to say this didn’t go unnoticed to my family. Visiting the office was always a positive experience both welcoming and professional. I would recommend this firm to anyone in need of caring compassionate legal representation.

- Michael Brunner

Winkler Kurtz LLP is an amazingly knowledgeable and professional law firm. The staff is extremely intelligent and personable. With great guidance will support you through each step of your case and treat you with personal attention. Highly recommend this law firm – they go out of their way to make you a winner!

- Elissa Rand

The experience that I got from Richard Winkler was absolutely the best, In the beginning I was hesitant because you hear of bad stories about attorneys, but the turning point for me was when the most amazing, caring, person sat down and explained everything to me Mr. Winkler’s paralegal Dana Randazzo. This team answered all my phone calls handled all my paperwork in a quick manner there were never any surprises and they were on top of everything with the insurance companies and anything else associated to my case I highly recommend this law firm to anyone you will not be disappointed and I just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done for me Mr Winkler!

- Anthony Detorre

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Winkler Kurtz, LLP
1201 Route 112, Suite 200
Port Jefferson Station, NY
11776

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