Construction Site Fires Pose a Danger to Construction Workers and the Public
Construction workers in New York City routinely face risks on the job, and unfortunately one of those risks is the risk of injury from a fire on the site. Fires occur on a construction site more frequently than you might think, and workers injured by these accidents often suffer from life-altering and catastrophic injury, lost wages and soaring medical bills.
Most construction site fires, like the fire during construction that destroyed much of Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral, can be prevented if proper safety precautions are followed.
What Causes a Construction Site Fire?
Fires on a construction site can ignite from a wide variety of sources. The most common sources of construction site fires are:
- A burning cigarette;
- An open flame that is not properly extinguished;
- Electrical shortage;
- Faulty wiring;
- Improper chemical storage;
- Short-cut building practices.
While all construction sites pose a risk of fire, those that are most likely to be hazardous are areas of refurbishment, demolition or reconstruction. The prevalence of old electrical cabling or dry wood that could be concealed from view represent just some of the added dangers. And if the property owners and construction site managers don’t take sufficient and necessary precautions, fire can break out, with devastating consequences for those working on the site.
In New York City, construction workers are protected by local, state and federal laws and regulations that require property owners and construction site managers to take actions to minimize the risk of fire and maximize safety.
Construction fires are preventable. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site fire, you should take steps right away to find out about your legal options. Construction work injuries can be tragic, permanently disabling, and legally complicated at the same time, which makes it so important for an injured New York construction worker to seek the advice of an experienced construction accident attorney. For help in determining your next steps, call the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PC at 877-MSL-4LAW for a no-cost consultation.