Fires and explosions are common hazards that can arise on construction sites. Unfortunately, when proactive measures are not taken and proper safety protocol is not followed, serious accidents can occur, resulting in catastrophic injuries to workers. If you are a construction worker hurt in a fire or explosion accident, you may be entitled to monetary recovery beyond that provided by Workers’ Compensation. If you were hurt on a construction site, a NYC construction site injury lawyer might be able to help.
Common Causes of Construction Site Fires and Explosions
Federal OSHA regulations and New York State law set forth safety guidelines to help ensure construction sites are reasonably safe. However, poor housekeeping, failure to follow proper safety protocol, and carelessness can contribute to dangerous conditions that increase the risk of fire and explosion. Whether they are caused by sparks flying from welding, improper use of open fuel sources, or defective equipment, construction site explosions can result in serious accidents that lead to severe injury or fatality.
Other common causes of construction site fire and explosion accidents can include the following:
- Improperly stored chemicals
- Gas leaks
- Faulty or defective electrical wiring
- Smoking on site
- Inadequate fire protection measures
- Improper use of on-site heaters
Depending upon how the construction site explosion accident occurred, a worker can suffer from a variety of injuries. For instance, the over-pressurized wave from a high explosive can cause lung, eye, ear, and head trauma. Debris and shrapnel from the explosion can cause penetrating injuries — and if a worker’s body is thrown as a result of the blast, they may experience fractures, broken bones, amputation, and other injuries. In addition, various injuries can arise due to inhalation of the smoke and fumes caused by the toxic chemicals.
Fire and Gas Leak Injuries
The physical injuries caused by a construction site gas leak accident or fire can be life-changing. Not only can injuries caused by such an incident require substantial medical treatment, but they can also result in time lost from work. Depending on the extent of the injuries, a construction worker injured due to a gas leak or fire may also be unable to return to their employment in the future.
A construction worker who was exposed to a gas leak can suffer from various injuries, including:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Asphyxia
- Brain damage
- Gastrointestinal injuries
- Migraines
- Pulmonary contusion
A gas leak accident or fire can affect a victim in many ways. Critically, psychological injuries are also not uncommon after a gas leak accident. A victim may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety — in many cases, these kinds of injuries may be just as debilitating as physical ones. In addition, if the gas leak leads to a fire, a victim can suffer burns, severe disfigurement, or even fatality.
Workers’ Compensation may cover a certain amount of medical expenses and lost wages for a construction site gas leak accident victim. However, it’s rarely enough to cover the full extent of the damages incurred. In such cases, it may be necessary to file a personal injury action.
Liability for Fire and Gas Leak Accidents
There are some prominent signs that could indicate a construction site gas leak. Hissing noises, strange smells, and visibly damaged pipes are just a few ways a gas leak can be detected — and it’s critical to take emergency action to prevent accidents. Gas lines should be promptly shut down, and the site evacuated immediately.
Although an employee cannot sue their employer for work-related injuries caused by a fire or gas leak accident under New York’s Workers’ Compensation law, they may still be able to hold a third party accountable. For instance, if a property owner, sub-contractor, or another party failed to inspect gas storage containers, follow safety regulations, ensure properly working equipment, or provide safety gear, they may be held liable for negligence. If defective equipment was the cause of the accident, the equipment manufacturer may be responsible.
A construction worker who suffered injuries due to a gas leak may be entitled to various damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit, including their economic and non-economic losses. An award of economic damages covers monetary loss in connection with medical treatment, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages due to the accident. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-pecuniary losses. Additionally, if you lost a loved one in a construction site gas leak accident or fire, you may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
Compensation for Construction Site Fire and Explosion Injuries
Construction site explosion injuries can lead to lifelong debilitation, permanent disfigurement, and other severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and time lost from work. Although Workers’ Compensation benefits may provide an injured construction worker with medical benefits and a portion of their lost wages, they are usually not adequate to cover the full extent of a worker’s losses. If a third party on a construction site fails to follow their duty of care, a worker may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the negligence.
Recoverable economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit for construction site fire and explosion injuries can include the monetary damages the worker incurred due to the accident, such as unreimbursed medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, and out-of-pocket costs in connection with the accident. Non-economic damages — also referred to as pain and suffering — are much more difficult to quantify. They are meant to compensate for intangible losses such as physical pain, emotional anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of life a worker experienced due to the injuries caused by the construction site explosion accident.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve suffered injuries in a construction site fire or explosion accident caused by the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of a third party, it’s crucial to have a knowledgeable personal injury attorney by your side who knows what it takes to secure the compensation you deserve. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has represented clients in construction accidents for over three decades and works diligently to achieve the best possible results in each case. Contact us today for a consultation.