Falling Objects At Work

Falling Objects Can Cause Everything From Fractures to Fatalities—Call Us If You Were Hurt at Work in New York

In any work environment, workers or people passing by can be hit by objects falling, sometimes causing minor scrapes and bruises, but oftentimes resulting in injuries requiring surgery. Heavy objects can fall from warehouse shelves, office supply room shelves, hospital or pharmacy shelves. Other times, workers get hurt by objects falling from forklifts, rooftops, ladders and scaffolding. When this happens in New York, injured workers need to act fast to protect their rights. That’s why you need to talk to a falling object injury lawyer at our law firm right away.

We pursue workers compensation benefits for employees who have suffered traumatic brain injury, shoulder and neck injury, back injury even broken bones such as fractured fingers or broken arms when they tried to catch a falling box. We also pursue compensation for injured pedestrians struck by falling objects. Even if you don't think that box or tool that hit you on the head did any damage, you need to find out if you have a serious work injury by being fully examined-and then contacting an experienced falling object injury attorney in New York.

What is the OSHA standard for falling objects?

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has rules and regulations regarding properly securing objects so they don’t fall at work sites and injure workers or passersby. In particular, OSHA Title 29, Subtitle B, Chapter XVII, Part 1926, Subpart R, Section 1926.759 stipulates that potentially hazardous objects which could fall and cause an injury must be properly secured at all times. The same OSHA regulation prohibits contractors from doing other work “below steel erection unless overhead protection for the employees below is provided.”

When companies violate these regulations and workplace injuries occur, companies need to be held responsible for their actions. Normally, OSHA investigates such workplace accidents in New York. But you should also have a NYC falling object injury lawyer handling your legal case to make sure your best interests get the attention they deserve.

I got hurt by a falling object at work. Will I get a settlement?

If you were hurt at work by a falling object, you should receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp pays for medical care, partial replacement income if you cannot work, and certain other benefits for permanent injuries to certain parts of the body.

In addition to receiving workers’ comp, you might also be able to file a lawsuit against an at-fault party. You cannot sue your direct employer for a work accident, but you can file a third-party claim if another business or entity was responsible for your injuries. Our attorneys can investigate your injury and explain all your legal rights and options.

How much time do I have to file a workers’ comp claim?

In New York, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a worker’s compensation claim. However, you need to notify your employer of the work injury within 30 days of the accident. You have to inform your supervisor, manager, or foreman, and we recommend getting in writing so you have a record of the report.

A New York workers compensation lawyer who helps workers hit by dangerous objects

Sadly, employees are killed by falling objects each year, particularly on construction sites where hardhats may not be mandatory. Everything from rebar, support beams, cinder blocks and bricks to power tools, hammers, sheet metal and metal railings can fly off of upper floors at a construction site. High winds can blow down building materials, a worker might drop a tool or an overloaded floor could cave in, causing a total building collapse and sending tons of debris raining down on everyone below.

If a co-worker on a high-rise construction site fell from above and landed on you, you could be severely injured. The New York scaffolding law may apply.

No matter what the cause, falling objects can be deadly. If you were injured by something that fell from up high at a construction site, or if you lost a loved one who was killed by a flying object on the job, you need tough legal representation. Call Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP toll-free at (800) 692-3717 or contact us online for a free evaluation. A NYC falling object injury lawyer at our law firm can stand by you and work hard for your justice, including negotiating directly with workers compensation insurance companies, from Staten Island to Westchester to Long Island.