Construction accident leaves New York man in serious condition

Construction workers in New York have one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. The combination of heavy objects, height and moving machinery makes it easy for individuals to get injured while they are working. Although the New York Labor Laws require employers to protect the safety of their employees, it is not always enough to protect the health and safety of the workers.

One New York construction worker is currently in the hospital after the drum he was cutting exploded. The 55-gallon drum exploded, flew into the air, and hit the almost-20-foot-high ceiling. Somewhere in that process, it hit and injured the 42-year-old man that was cutting into it.

In order to remove the end of the large drum, the man was using a cutting torch. The combination of heat and fire caused the drum to explode. Although it is unlikely that the man’s employer intentionally injured the man by allowing him to use a cutting torch on an explosive drum, mere regret is not enough. Under the New York Labor Laws, the employer should have taken steps to ensure those types of accidents did not happen.

In New York, when construction workers are injured because of unsafe equipment, they may have a lawsuit to receive compensation for lost quality of life, pain and suffering and the inability to engage in construction work and other activities.

After the accident that caused the drum to explode, the man was taken to the hospital. At the end of last week, he was listed in serious condition. Hopefully he is on the road to a full recovery and the finding the compensation he needs to pay for that.

Source: Claims Journal, “55 Gallon Drum Explodes Injuring Upstate New York Worker,” 21 April 2011