With constant construction and growth occurring in the city, New York City experiences its fair share of workplace accidents. Workplace injuries may trigger workers’ compensation claims and/or claims against negligent third parties, such as property owners and contractors. 

Here are the seven most common work-related causes of injury in NYC:

1. Slips, Trips, and Falls

NYC is a prime location for construction projects, and OSHA reports that falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Workers can be injured or killed when they slip and fall because of:

  • Heights
  • Lack of fall protection
  • Icy grounds 
  • Wet floors
  • Unprotected holes
  • Poor lighting
  • Clutter
  • Defective ladders or scaffolding 

Some falls can result in disabilities and the need for lifetime care. 

2. Muscle Strains

While many muscle strains may happen due to overexertion, there are times when third parties cause these injuries. For example, a collapsing structure can lead to severe muscle strains. Muscle strains occur when muscles are overused and muscle fibers are stretched beyond their normal limit and tear apart. 

These injuries can be painful and cause symptoms such as:

  • Pain 
  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Muscle spasms

Seek medical care if you are experiencing these symptoms

3. Struck-By Object Accidents

Some workplace accidents are caused when a worker is hit by a defective equipment or a falling object. 

Common causes of these so-called “struck by” injuries include:

  • Machinery without proper guards
  • Dropped cargo
  • A worker’s body being caught in machinery
  • Tipping over of heavy machinery
  • Falling tools

An experienced workplace injury lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding your injury and identify all parties responsible for your injuries.

4. Toxic Exposure 

If workers are exposed to harmful toxins or substances such as asbestos, benzene, lead, or mercury in the workplace, they may suffer serious injuries and irritation to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Injured workers may have a claim against the manufacturer of dangerous toxins for the injuries they suffer.

5. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries, according to OSHA. If you were injured while traveling for work-related purposes, you may be able to file a claim against the party responsible for the accident. 

An experienced personal injury lawyer can review evidence in your claim to determine fault, including:

  • The accident report
  • Photos and videos of the accident scene
  • Property damage
  • Location of the accident
  • Witness statements

Our team of lawyers can review the circumstances surrounding your crash and 

6. Fire and Explosions

Workers may suffer serious and painful injuries because of fires or explosions at work. Explosions are classified into the following types:

  • Primary blasts, which cause injuries because of the blast wave
  • Secondary blasts, which involve injuries caused by flying objects or debris caused by blast winds
  • Tertiary blasts, which cause injuries because of a structure collapse or displacement through the air
  • Quaternary blast, which cause various other injuries, including crush injuries, burns, inhaling toxic substances, and burns

Any of these blasts can cause serious injuries to victims, including potentially disfiguring injuries and damage to their respiratory system.

7. Workplace Violence

Some workplace injuries are caused by the intentional acts of others. Violent attacks such as punching, stabbing, or shooting can result in serious accidents. Coworkers, customers, or robbers may be responsible for these injuries. A lawyer can try to hold the culprit responsible for the harm they cause, as well as investigate whether the property owner or other third party may be partially responsible for the injuries you sustained. 

A New York City Workplace Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Your Work Injury Claim

If you were injured in any of the ways described above, you may want to contact a workplace accident lawyer to find out what your legal options are. They can help you explore whether you qualify for workers compensation and/or a third-party claim for additional damages.

Contact Our Workplace Accident Law Firm in New York City

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City workplace accident lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007