Worker Seriously Injured When Construction Vehicle Tips Over

A construction worker in Rockland County suffered serious injuries recently when the construction vehicle he was using tipped over and threw him out of the drivers’ seat. The 26-year-old man reportedly suffered injuries to his head, shoulder, hip, and femur, but the injuries are not considered life-threatening.

According to witnesses, the vehicle toppled over as it was carrying a number of steel rods. There had apparently been a heavy rain not long before the accident and it is believed the vehicle tipped over because one of the tires had sunk into the soft ground. It is unclear at this time if the vehicle was overloaded with weight, but the construction company completed an inspection of the vehicle and believed it to be in proper working order.

The injured worker was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern and was released a short time later. An inspection of the vehicle and the work site was to be completed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The construction company employing the worker, Nikko Construction, is said to be cooperating with the investigation.

Incidents like this one are all too common in the construction industry. Fortunately, the construction worker in this case did not appear to suffer and permanent injuries. However, incidents like these can often result in long-term injuries, paralysis, or even death.

When these types of injuries do occur, residents of New York have a couple of options. In addition to workers’ compensation, construction workers can also rely on Sections 200, 240 and 241 of the New York Labor Law to secure compensation for injuries suffered in the construction industry. If you have been injured while working in the construction field, you may want to seek out legal advice to find out if you may have a claim for additional financial compensation.

Source: LoHud.com, Worker seriously injured at Ramapo baseballs stadium construction site, James O’Rourke 11/18/10