Hudson Valley Attorney Assists Workers Hurt By Falling Objects
Accomplished New York lawyer serves injury victims throughout the state
Serious injuries can result from a tool dropped from the upper floors of a construction project or from a box of workplace supplies that falls and smashes your foot. Even if the circumstances of your injury are clear, you could still face challenges in securing the compensation you need to pay your medical treatment bills and cover wages lost during your absence. At Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. in Highland, I am a seasoned New York attorney who has secured proper payment for more than 1,500 injured workers throughout New York State, including Dutchess and Ulster Counties.
How accidents from falling objects occur
There are many different occupations in which workers face a threat from falling objects. Even office staff might be hurt in this way if documents or boxes are stacked in a haphazard manner. Some causes for falling object injury claims include the following:
- Objects dropped from heights — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists object strikes among its “Fatal Four” group of most dangerous construction accidents. Tools, building materials and other items that drop from heights could cause a traumatic brain injury or some other type of harm.
- Unstable loads — Companies often impose pressure on workers to move as much cargo as they can in the shortest amount of time. This can lead to cargo falling off of forklifts, hand-trucks and other moving devices.
- Improper storage practices — Whether in a warehouse or an accounting firm, it’s often the case that merchandise, documents and other items are stored or stacked without much thought to safety.
- Faulty design or construction — Poor design or cost-cutting during construction might result in objects breaking off and falling onto unsuspecting people standing or walking below. Many scaffold injuries are associated with items dropping to the ground because the platform was not built correctly.
Regardless of the specific fact pattern, my firm is committed to providing the highest level of legal representation and service in cases where people have been harmed by something that fell on them.
Legal considerations when someone is struck by something that fell or was dropped
Someone who is hurt by a falling object in the course of their work should report the incident immediately to their supervisor or to the human resources department. This should initiate the workers’ compensation process, which is supposed to cover all of your medical and rehabilitation expenses as well as majority of the income you lose while you’re unable to do your job. Dropped objects typically stem from someone’s carelessness, and if the negligent party is not your employer or a co-worker, you might also be able to seek personal injury damages, such as compensation for pain and suffering and unreimbursed lost income.
Types of injuries resulting from falling objects
Object strikes can cause a wide range of injuries, such as bone breaks, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage and lacerations. These ailments can trigger high medical expenses and emotional trauma. In severe cases, the person who has been hit might not be able to return to work. In some instances, the weight and force of the falling item is so strong that the victim does not survive. Though workers’ compensation is supposed to provide benefits promptly without proof of fault, insurance companies and employers often question valid claims, putting victims and their families in financial straits. You can count on my firm to stand up for your rights and to pursue the full compensation available to you.
Contact a New York lawyer for a free consultation if you were struck by a falling object
Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. in Highland assists employees throughout New York who have suffered injuries after being hit by a dropped or falling object. To make an appointment for a free consultation with a proven attorney, please call 845-640-3846 or contact me online.
