A New Jersey construction worker has been hospitalized after being pinned against a wall in a ditch at a Delaware work site. Reports mention that the worker ended up in critical condition after being trapped against the wall for two hours by construction equipment which fell into the ditch. A co-worker was attempting to connect a bucket onto a backhoe when the bucket slid into the ditch and trapped the victim. Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials investigated the incident.
State and federal laws mandate worksites be secure and safe and require a healthy, hazard free environment for workers. Despite state and federal safety regulations, construction site accidents are common in New Jersey. Construction sites are inherently dangerous workplaces. The Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that 13 out of every 100,000 construction workers died on-the-job in 2006. Six percent of all construction workers are injured or made ill by exposure to contaminants or chemicals at work. Common construction site injuries in New Jersey include falls from roofs and scaffolding, injuries from malfunctioning or defective equipment, falling objects, toxic chemical exposure, electrocution and burns. In addition, inadequate worker training by contractors can cause accidents resulting in injury. Construction workers injured on the job may be able to bring claims against general contractors, landowners, municipalities and even equipment manufacturers and distributors.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, contact the New Jersey construction accident lawyers at the Blume Forte Law Firm. We can provide more information about your legal rights and options. Call 973-845-4421 for a no-cost consultation regarding your potential claim.