Crushing accidents are all too common on New York City construction sites despite strict safety laws and regulations. For NYC construction workers with severe crush injuries, the stakes can be high, with the potential for lifelong medical costs, lost income, and disabilities.
The most common types of crush injuries in NYC construction
Crushed by Heavy Machinery
Equipment operators, laborers, material handlers, riggers, and other workers can be caught between heavy machinery — such as forklifts, excavators, cranes, and bulldozers — and solid objects like walls or barriers. This often happens when machinery is improperly secured or heavy materials are transported. Common injuries include broken bones, severe lacerations, internal organ damage, crushed limbs, chronic pain, mobility issues, and permanent disabilities. Treatment often involves surgery, physical therapy, prosthetics, pain management, and long-term rehabilitation.
Collapse of Trenches or Excavation Sites
Excavation workers, general laborers, and utility installers can be buried or trapped by soil, debris, or materials when trench walls collapse due to improper bracing or shoring. This can occur while using machinery like excavators, trenching tools, and backhoes. Injuries include crushed bones, suffocation, head trauma, and internal injuries. Long-term effects can include brain damage, mobility impairments, chronic pain, and PTSD. Treatment often requires emergency rescue, surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health support.
Caught Between Falling Objects and Structures
Steelworkers, riggers, scaffolders, and laborers can be struck by heavy materials such as steel beams or concrete slabs falling from above, often due to faulty rigging or equipment. This commonly involves cranes, hoists, scaffolding, and rigging systems. Injuries can include skull fractures, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Long-term effects include paralysis, cognitive impairment, and reduced life expectancy. Treatment requires surgery, rehabilitation, and assistive devices like wheelchairs.
Caught in or Between Machinery
When safety mechanisms fail, machine operators, assemblers, and maintenance workers may be caught in moving parts of machinery like conveyor belts, heavy-duty presses, and compactors. Injuries can include crushed limbs, degloving, fractures, and severe soft tissue damage. Long-term effects include amputation, loss of limb function, and nerve damage. Treatment may involve amputation surgeries, reconstructive surgery, prosthetics, and physical and occupational therapy.
Scaffolding Collapse
Scaffolders, painters, and laborers can be crushed by collapsing scaffolding due to poor construction, overloading, or faulty materials. This may involve equipment like scaffolding systems, hoists, and material elevators. Injuries typically include spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and internal organ damage. Long-term effects may include paralysis, reduced mobility, and cognitive issues. Treatment includes spinal surgeries, physical therapy, and psychological counseling.
Building or Structural Collapses
Construction laborers, carpenters, masons, and engineers are at risk of being trapped beneath rubble when buildings or structures collapse due to faulty support or structural integrity. Equipment such as cranes and bulldozers are often involved. Injuries include crushed bones, internal organ damage, and suffocation. Long-term effects can be permanent disability, respiratory issues, and PTSD. Treatment involves emergency extraction, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation.
Forklift Accidents
When safety protocols are not followed, warehouse workers, material handlers, and delivery personnel can be pinned beneath or crushed between forklifts and other objects. Injuries commonly include crushed pelvis, leg fractures, and spinal injuries. Long-term effects may involve chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for assistive devices. Treatment requires surgery, physical therapy, pain management, and, in severe cases, amputation.
Caught Between Vehicles and Stationary Objects
Drivers, laborers, and site supervisors can be crushed between construction vehicles like dump trucks or cement mixers and stationary objects like walls or barriers, often while backing up in tight spaces. Injuries can include broken ribs, internal bleeding, and crushed limbs. Long-term effects may include organ damage, mobility issues, and chronic pain. Treatment typically involves surgery, physical therapy, and pain management.
Pinch Point Injuries
Machine operators, laborers, and maintenance workers risk having their hands or fingers caught in pinch points between moving machine parts, such as presses, rollers, or conveyors. These accidents can result in crushed fingers, fractures, nerve damage, and degloving injuries. Long-term effects can include loss of dexterity, chronic pain, or amputation. Treatment may involve reconstructive surgery, nerve repair, and occupational therapy.
Crush Injuries from Collapsing Materials
Material handlers, laborers, and forklift operators can be crushed by collapsing stacks of materials like bricks, rebar, or pipes due to improper stacking or accidental impact. Injuries typically include multiple fractures, skull fractures, and internal injuries. Long-term effects can include mobility issues, cognitive impairment, and chronic pain. Treatment involves emergency care, physical rehabilitation, and long-term therapy.
Each type of crush accident has significant potential for life-changing injuries. Prevention efforts include better safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and worker training to reduce these risks on NYC construction sites.
Secure the Compensation You Deserve After a Construction Crush Injury
After a crush injury on a New York City construction site, it's important to secure the compensation you're entitled to under New York law. Keogh Crispi, P.C. has years of experience fighting for construction workers with crush-related injuries.
For example, our case results include $4.5 million for a carpenter working on a Manhattan construction site who had his right foot crushed by a dislodged rock during excavation. Due to the severity of the injury, he later developed necrosis. We also recovered $225,000 for a construction site security guard who was injured when a defective gatepost portion of a chain-link fence collapsed and fell onto his body.
Discover what Attorney Pat James Crispi and his dedicated legal team can do for you. Contact us today and schedule your free case consultation to learn how an experienced NYC construction accident lawyer can protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.