Boston Construction Employer Negligence Lawyers

Employers in Massachusetts are responsible for maintaining a safe workplace, especially in a work environment characterized by dangerous situations, like construction work. There are guidelines for nearly every construction procedure, and when employers fail to uphold the standards they are held to, accidents are for more likely to occur. The attorneys at Crowe & Harris, LLP , know that even in Massachusetts, workers and residents are put in danger due to employer negligence in and near construction sites.

Many situations on construction sites could cause accident and injury, including equipment malfunction, explosions, exposure to toxic chemicals, and insufficient training. Depending on the situation, it may be likely that an employer could have prevented the accident that occurred and could be held financially liable for your injury. If this is the case, the Boston construction employer negligence lawyers at Crowe & Harris, LLP , may help you pursue financial compensation for any costs incurred.

Forms of Employer Negligence on Construction Sites

The employer of a construction site team has numerous responsibilities, most important of which is maintaining the safety and integrity of the job site. Unfortunately, several forms of employer negligence are often reported in Massachusetts, including the following:

Lack of Safety Equipment

Construction sites are incredibly dangerous due to a number of hazards, including heavy equipment, dangerous machinery, sharp objects, and heights, making safety precautions crucial at these work sites. Unfortunately, some employers, either carelessly or blatantly, disregard the safety of their employees by failing to provide them with proper safety equipment. When this is the case, workers can suffer serious injuries that can leave them with permanent disabilities, overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and in some cases, an inability to continue working.

In order to maintain safety on a construction site, a number of pieces of equipment are necessary, including, but certainly not limited to:

• Hard hats
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Gloves
• Harnesses and restraining equipment for those working on elevated platforms
• Emergency first aid kit

The absence of any of these pieces of equipment poses a serious threat to the safety of construction workers and passersby. When an employer fails to provide this equipment to employees, they may be required to provide compensation to the victim in addition to any workers’ comp benefits the workers could be eligible to receive.

Inadequate Training

Training is essential in almost any job, but it is especially important for individuals who work on construction sites. Due to dangerous heights and heavy equipment, proper training is crucial in ensuring the safety of all workers and passersby. Injuries resulting from improper training can lead to serious injuries, property damage, and in the most extreme circumstances, death.

A number of injuries can result from improper or inadequate training for construction workers, including:

• Puncture wounds
• Severe lacerations
• Broken bones/fractures
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries
• Falls resulting in paralysis
• Internal bleeding

If these or other injuries were caused by a lack of proper training, the construction company itself may be held responsible for any resulting injuries.

Safety Code Violations

With such heavy and massive equipment involved, construction employees expect that their employers will do everything in their power to keep construction sites safe. Along with providing safe equipment and properly training employees, the process of keeping individuals around the site safe also includes following certain safety codes. These safety codes are in place to maintain certain practices across construction sites that ultimately make them less dangerous for employees and the public alike. Unfortunately, far too many employers disregard these safety codes, leaving individuals open to serious and even life-threatening injuries.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the primary source of national safety and health requirements. Employees may file a complaint with OSHA if they feel their workplace is hazardous, even if they are unsure of the specific violation. Workers can file complaints in various ways, including by fax, mail, and online. OSHA prohibits employers from firing or discriminating against an employee for filing a complaint. While OSHA has many regulations for employers to follow, each regulation sets out to do the following things:

• Provide a safe place of work for employees.
• Rid the workplace of known or recognized hazards that can cause severe injuries or death. If employers can see, smell, or otherwise sense a hazard, they have a duty to attend to the hazard immediately.
• Comply with national standards of safety and health.

Employers must allow OSHA inspections in their workplace and are required to keep records pertaining to their particular industry. Some examples of OSHA safety regulations include:

• Escape routes in case of a fire
• Proper ventilation
• Proper sanitation of the workplace
• Accident prevention methods and training
• Safe and well-maintained buildings, equipment, and machinery
• Prevention of exposure to harmful agents or toxic materials

Violations of the regulations outlined by OSHA are often evidence of employer negligence and may be cause to file a claim.

The inability or unwillingness to take responsibility as an employer is a serious offense, and our Boston legal team believes negligent employers should be held accountable for any of their actions that lead to the injury of innocent people.

Contact an Employer Negligence Lawyer in Boston

Many construction site accidents in Boston occur because of the negligence of an employer. Victims of these accidents, however, should not be held responsible for costs associated with undue injuries. The employer negligence lawyers at Crowe & Harris, LLP , can help construction accident victims fight back against irresponsible employers.

Contact our offices today at (617) 404-3417 to learn more about how we can help you.