Construction sites around New York often have large fences and warning signs erected to keep members of the public away from danger. Generally, any visitors to a construction site will need to sign in with the project manager and don appropriate safety gear.
Passersby, including pedestrians and even motorists, will not have any safety gear despite possibly ending up exposed to significant risk factors. There is one common element at many construction sites that can contribute to injuries among those nearby.
Falling items can cause severe or fatal injuries
One of the most important safety rules for construction sites is the requirement for workers to wear harnesses to keep them from falling. They also need to use tethers or similar safety equipment to prevent their tools and materials from falling from a significant elevation. A hammer, a small pile of bricks and other necessary equipment that falls from several stories up could lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.
Best practices require that construction workers secure all tools and materials when working at a significant elevation, especially when they are on a roof or scaffolding. At such job sites, the objects that fall could very well end up in the street or on the sidewalk, with major consequences for those not involved in the project at all.
When construction workers fail to properly secure their gear and supplies, uninvolved people passing by may pay the price. Employers who ignore safety violations and property owners who hire fly-by-night construction companies may be liable for the injuries produced in such scenarios.
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against a building owner or a construction company can help compensate those hurt by negligent construction practices.