Falling Objects Causing Construction Accidents

Falling objects at construction sites can be dangerous. They can cause serious injuries to employees as well as passers-by. Construction companies should protect their employees and innocent bystanders from harm from falling objects. Objects at construction sites may fall for many reasons, but in most cases this happens because of carelessness, negligence or rule-breaking. Common reasons for falling objects at construction sites include:

·         Insufficient distance between pedestrians and construction sites

·         Insufficient warning signs

·         Failing to secure tools and other equipment, causing a high risk of the equipment falling

Common injuries sustained in construction accidents involving falling objects

·         Bruises

·         Broken bones

·         Paralysis

·         Neck and back injuries

·         Lacerations

·         Traumatic brain injury

·         Permanent disabilities

·         Death

Objects that commonly fall and cause accidents

Some of the objects that commonly fall and cause serious injuries include:

·         Tools such as hammers, sledgehammers and power tools

·         Bricks and cinder blocks

·         Metal fittings and pieces of metal railings

·         Rebar or other metal bars

·         Pieces of metal, sheet metal and duct work

·         Support beams

·         Wires or cables

Proving fault

Like most personal injury cases, a construction site falling object accident involves negligence or carelessness. This type of case is usually directed at the construction company (owner) for negligence. The elements of negligence are duty, breach, causation, and damage.

In order to file a successful lawsuit, a victim must prove that:

·         The construction owner had a duty to maintain a safe area within the construction site.

·         The construction owner broke that duty by not taking steps and measures to ensure safety of the construction area.

·         The construction owner’s failure to exercise reasonable care caused the injury.

·         The victim suffered damages from the falling object.