What Makes a Falling Object Dangerous?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10% of all construction accidents are caused by falling objects. Construction workers, as well as pedestrians, can often fall victim to these accidents by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In a large metropolis like New York City, where construction projects are common, both pedestrians and workers have an increased risk of being injured from a falling object.
Fortunately, a New York injury attorney can help you prove that a landowner and/or construction company is held liable if they do not keep their premises reasonably safe. There are statutory guidelines put into place to ensure a safe environment. If you have been struck by a falling object, there is a good chance that someone was negligent.
If a landowner could have foreseen the item falling and injuring someone, than they may be liable to that person for any injuries they caused, their lost time from work, and any pain and suffering. For your protection, if you are working or walking near a dangerous site, you should look out for the possibility of falling objects.
The Factors That Make A Falling Object A Huge Risk
The weight and shape of the object, along with the height from which an object is dropped, all account for the severity of a potential injury. In general, the heavier and more aerodynamic an object is and the higher up from which it falls–the more damage it is likely to do.
Accordingly, the heavier the object, the faster it will fall. Objects such as iron bars, concrete slabs, sledge hammers, handheld and large machinery can cause significant injuries to someone when only falling a short distance.
Small and dense objects such as a hammer can also cause serious injury when dropped from shorter distances. The human body can be very sensitive to these types of impacts and the result of a falling object can be severe or even fatal.
Furthermore, an object’s shape is an important factor to consider when discussing the dangers of falling objects. Generally speaking, a sleeker, thinner object has more potential to injure someone, rather than one that is flat or has many edges.
For example: a wrench falling from six feet above onto a worker wearing a hardhat could possibly result in an injury, but most likely the damage would be minimal. In comparison, an object that is aerodynamic and of the same weight has the potential of causing a more serious injury, even if it was dropped from the same distance.
Lastly, height is also an important factor to take into account when analyzing the dangerous of an object’s impact. In New Jersey, a man was killed recently by a one-pound tape measure when it fell 50 stories, bounced off of a piece of metal and struck the victim.
No matter the shape or size, if an object falls from high enough, it has the potential to cause serious damage. Some commonly dropped objects at construction sites are: tape measures, wrenches, pliers, nuts, bolts and screws – all of which can be fatal when dropped from high above.
Contact An Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has been injured from a falling object, you deserve to be fairly compensated for your losses. It is crucial to seek legal advice from a competent and experienced falling object accident attorney. The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff will demand justice for any victim of this type of accident and will fight for your right to be compensated.