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Caught-in Between Construction Accidents in New York

6.28.2022 Brian O'Connor Category: Construction Accidents

Construction Injury Lawyer for Caught-in Between Accidents

There are four common causes of fatal construction accidents in the United States.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has labeled these as the “fatal four” or “focus four.”  These four common causes of fatal accidents account for approximately 65% of all construction worker deaths in the United States.  Although falls, struck-by an object, and electrocutions are the most common, caught-in between construction accidents in New York are still common and often devastating.  In fact, this type of fatal four is not just responsible for wrongful deaths, but also responsible for many catastrophic and debilitating personal injuries.  If you or a loved one have suffered any type of construction accident injury in New York, especially one of the “fatal four” accidents that could cause debilitating injury or wrongful death, call our experienced construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn for help.

Here at the O’Connor Injury Law, our dedicated professional staff has a proven track record of helping victims and their families recover compensation for their personal injuries after a catastrophic or fatal accident.  This includes accidents involving motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and other negligently-caused injuries – including construction accidents involving one of the fatal four.  We understand how devastating it can be for a victim and his or her family to suffer any type of construction accident that causes permanent disability and prevents a worker from being able to fully support his or her family.  If you or a loved one suffered a caught-in between construction accident in New York, learn more about how we can help you during a FREE consultation with our experienced construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn.

What is a Caught-in Between Construction Accident?

construction

Account for over 5% of all construction worker deaths, caught-in between accidents involve any accident where a worker is crushed or caught-in between two different apparatus.  Some common examples include the following:

  • A worker down in a trench when a trench wall collapses, and the worker is caught-in between the trench wall and the cave-in
  • A wall collapses and a worker is caught-in between the floor and the collapsed wall
  • Materials fall from a truck or platform and trap a worker under them
  • Crane materials that are lifted and fall onto a worker below
  • Machines that trap a worker inside, such as a conveyer belt machine
  • Workers who have a limb trapped under fallen materials, such as a foot or hand under steel beams or pallets of materials
  • Workers who get run over by a construction truck or another vehicle, and
  • Many other examples of caught-in between construction accidents that our experienced personal injury lawyers in Brooklyn, NY can handle for you.

Why Are Crushing Injuries So Dangerous?

Caught-in between accidents are one of the most commonly fatal types of construction accidents.  However, even when a worker has his or her foot caught under a steel beam, run over, or otherwise crushed, it can be an emergency medical situation.  This is because a crushed limb or part of a body could result in death if not treated.  In fact, a competent charge nurse in an emergency department at a hospital should always triage a crushing injury as the highest priority for care – even if it is just a hand or foot.

This is because, when a body part such as a hand or foot is crushed, it means more than just damage to the limb.  It also means that there is damage to the blood vessels in the limb.  Those damages blood vessels and continue to bleed until repaired.  That could result in blood loss in the area of the limb, but also in areas higher up (proximal and closer to the center of the body) where blood vessels could rupture from the pressure of a crushing accident.

In addition to these types of blood vessel injuries, crushed limbs could also result in what is known as compartment syndrome.  This is the body’s response to trauma which could cause extreme swelling in a limb.  If that swelling is not properly managed, the fluid that fills that area could increase so much due to the increase in pressure that it may cause tissue, nerves, blood vessels, and other structures to get squeezed together.  This can limit oxygen supply to those structures and even begin to tear skin, muscle, tendons, and other structures.  This can cause catastrophic damage to a person and become both limb-threatening (amputation) and life-threatening.

Were You Injured in a Jobsite Accident?  Call Our Experienced Construction Accident Lawyer for Help

Any type of caught-in between construction accident in New York can result in life-changing injuries that may result in an amputation or wrongful death.  If you or a loved one are seriously injured or if a loved one was wrongfully killed due to one of the “fatal four” types of accidents, call our experienced construction accident in New York for help.  This is particularly true if you were injured anywhere in Staten Island, Brooklyn, New York City, The Bronx, Queens, Long Island, and in surrounding areas where our bodily injury law firm is located and handles cases.

We offer FREE case evaluations and we only get paid after your get paid in a settlement, verdict, or another type of recovery.  To learn more about how we can help you and your family recover compensation for damages after an accident, call O’Connor Injury Law by dialing (718) 948-3500 or by sending us an email through our “Contact Us” box available here.  We are here to help you.

 

FAQs

What is a caught-in between construction accident?
A caught-in between accident occurs when a worker is trapped, crushed, or caught between two objects, machinery, or structures on a construction site. These accidents are among OSHA’s “fatal four” and can result in severe crushing injuries, amputations, or fatalities. If you’ve experienced this type of accident in New York, contact our construction injury lawyer immediately to discuss your rights.
What should I do immediately after a caught-in between construction accident in New York?
Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, report the accident to your employer, and document the scene with photos if possible. Preserve all evidence, witness information, and safety equipment involved in the accident. It’s crucial to contact an experienced construction accident lawyer in Brooklyn as soon as possible, as New York has strict time limits for filing claims.
Can I sue my employer for a caught-in between construction accident in New York?
In New York, workers’ compensation typically covers work-related injuries, but you may have additional claims against third parties such as contractors, equipment manufacturers, or site supervisors if negligence is involved. Our skilled construction injury lawyers can evaluate your case to determine all available legal options and responsible parties beyond standard workers’ compensation.
What types of compensation can I receive for a caught-in between construction injury?
You may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, third-party liability claims, and damages for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity. The specific compensation available depends on the circumstances of your accident and the responsible parties involved. Contact our construction accident lawyer to discuss what you may be owed.
How long do I have to file a claim for a caught-in between construction accident in New York?
New York has strict statutes of limitations for filing personal injury claims, typically three years from the date of injury, though workers’ compensation claims have different deadlines. Time is critical in gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and building your case. Contact the O’Connor Injury Law firm immediately to ensure you don’t miss important filing deadlines.

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