The construction industry has offered good opportunities to generations of New York City workers. But those jobs can be especially hazardous when worker safety isn’t taken seriously by project owners and contractors.
For workers and their families, falls from heights can be tragic. Yet it is important to also understand the huge impact of falls on the same level, most of which are commonly referred to as slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall accidents. The resulting injuries affect the lives of thousands of workers each year.
How common are same-level falls?
Same-level falls happen more often than most people would guess. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 40 percent of the 18,000 construction workers who suffered non-fatal fall-related injuries in a year were hurt in falls from the same level — that’s about 7,000 injured workers in 2010 alone.
Examples of same-level falls on construction sites
This type of accident can involve:
- Falling on debris, tools or objects
- Tripping on broken, uneven or open flooring
- Slipping on wet, snowy, icy or oily surfaces
- Tripping on cables, wires or piping
Getting the help you need
If you or a family member was hurt on a construction site, get the medical attention you need. And speak with an attorney about your legal rights, which may include the right to money damages through a third-party claim.
