Due to the inherent hazards on job sites, workers in the construction industry face a risk of accidents every day. Among the most devastating and life-changing injuries on construction sites are those involving the hips and pelvis. If you are a construction worker who sustained hip or pelvis injuries on the job, you may be entitled to monetary recovery beyond Workers’ Compensation benefits by filing a personal injury action against a negligent third party.
Causes of Hip and Pelvis Injuries on Job Sites
Construction sites are dangerous places to work — and almost any type of incident on a job site has the potential to cause serious hip and pelvis injuries. These types of injuries can happen due to falls, being struck by an object, being crushed between two pieces of machinery, or in various other ways. Specifically, some of the most common types of construction accidents that can lead to hip and pelvis injuries may include the following:
- Falls from heights — When workers are not provided with proper safety gear, scaffolds, ladders, or other equipment to work safely from heights, falls can occur that cause serious hip and pelvis injuries.
- Equipment and machinery accidents — Construction workers rely on equipment and machinery to lift heavy materials and carry out their tasks. When equipment and machinery is defective, not properly maintained, or negligently operated, it can cause accidents that result in a variety of injuries, including those involving the hips and pelvis.
- Slip and falls — When water, precipitation, cleaning solution, and other liquids are not properly mopped or a warning sign is not placed, slip and falls can occur that lead to serious hip and pelvis injuries.
- Motor vehicle accidents — Many different types of motor vehicles are used on construction sites, such as trucks, bulldozers, and cranes. When these vehicles are faulty or not properly operated, accidents can arise that cause a worker to suffer injuries to the hips and pelvis.
A variety of hip and pelvis injuries may result from the above types of accidents, including hip or pelvis fractures, hip dislocation, damage to the pelvic floor, chronic pain, labral tears, strains, and many other injuries. These types of injuries can be debilitating and often require extensive medical treatment — as well as time off work. A worker who suffered hip or pelvis injuries might also incur out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the construction accident and experience a significant amount of physical pain and emotional suffering.
Compensation for Construction Site Hip and Pelvis Injuries
Workers’ Compensation can provide an injured worker with medical treatment and a certain amount of their lost wages following a construction accident that resulted in a hip or pelvis injury. However, it typically isn’t enough to cover the full extent of the financial — or the non-financial — losses incurred. Although a worker cannot sue their employer due to New York’s Workers’ Compensation laws, they may be entitled to recover their damages by filing a personal injury action against a third party who should be held liable for the incident.
The compensation awarded in a personal injury action for a workplace accident that resulted in hip or pelvis injuries will depend upon the extent of the losses suffered. Recoverable economic damages can include unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages, out-of-pocket costs, and other pecuniary losses. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate for losses that are much more difficult to quantify, such as loss of enjoyment of life, physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. In addition, punitive damages may be awarded in limited personal injury cases to punish the responsible party for their wrongdoing and deter others from engaging in similar wrongful conduct.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you suffered hip and pelvis injuries in a construction accident caused by a third party’s negligence, you may be able to recover your economic and non-economic losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit. A skillful personal injury attorney can discuss your legal rights and fight for the maximum compensation available by law in your case. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., provides knowledgeable representation to victims of negligence in New York and works to obtain the best possible results in each of their unique cases. Contact us today for a consultation.