To anyone who has ever worked on a construction site: If you see something, say something. It might sound eerily familiar to the announcements you hear at the airport -- if there’s a suspicious bag or unattended luggage, alert the authorities. However, the same applies to your work site.
If you notice something unusual and not up to code with state and federal safety laws and regulations, it’s important to report it quickly. If you or one of your co-workers is injured on a work site, it’s important to follow these next steps:
Seek Medical Care
This might seem like a no brainer, but even if you or your co-worker feel mostly OK after an accident, it’s crucial to seek medical help and call 911 regardless of the injuries. It’s quite common that after an accident, the injured person’s adrenaline is rushing and they feel less pain at that very moment. They may say they feel OK when in reality they could have serious underlying injuries.
After you or your co-worker receive emergency medical attention, it also helps to have a follow up with your general doctor. Ensuring you have a record or documentation of an injury may be necessary for your future. Especially keeping a record of any procedures or treatments is important to have in case you or a loved one need to access them in the future. If you were wrongly injured and your employer is at fault, having these documents can go a long way in court.
Report the Accident
OSHA estimates that close to half of all construction site accidents go unreported. In NYC, you are required to report any accident to the Department of Buildings within 3 days of the incident. Accidents should also be reported to your site-safety professional and supervisor. Lastly, you can always call 311 to report unsafe conditions at your work site. You are not required to leave your name and they will also never ask for your immigration status.
If you or a co-worker were injured on a job site, and you believe the injury could have been prevented if safety measures were properly in place, you may have a case. Some people do not wish to pursue compensation or sue their employers at risk of losing their job or paying lofty fees. However, it’s important to hold the negligent party responsible so that it doesn’t happen again to someone else and so you can receive the compensation you deserve to help heal properly.
If you or someone you know was recently injured on a construction site, contact Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C. at (646) 846-4776 to discuss your case with one of our personal injury attorneys today.