Elevator accidents are a common problem in New York City and worldwide. In a prior story, New York Daily News reported that eight people were killed in an elevator accident while they were on a construction elevator.  The incident occurred when the elevator fell down from the 18th floor of a building which was under construction at the time of the tragic incident. While this incident did not occur in New York City, similar incidents do happen far-too-often, especially in light of the building boom that has been going on in New York in recent months. Elevator accidents can occur both when a building is

Although summer is winding down, temperatures remain high and continued heat waves are still possible throughout New York. Continued vigilance is essential to prevent work-related heat injuries. Employers and employees need to know of the many dangers associated with heat-related illnesses, as excessive heat can cause serious health issues and can even be fatal for workers under some circumstances. It is the job of employers to make sure that workers stay safe when working outside and in other hot environments; however, employees should also know best practices for safety in order to protect themselves. If a heat-related illness occurs, the affected worker should contact a

It is very common for healthcare workers to seek help from a New York workers’ compensation law firm after sustaining serious injuries at work. In some cases, healthcare workers are even killed and their families must try to obtain death benefits from a workers’ compensation insurer. Unfortunately, the reason that healthcare workers and their families are forced to pursue benefits claims so often is because healthcare is a particularly dangerous industry.  In fact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration indicates that “In 2010, the healthcare and social assistance industry reported more injury and illness cases than any other private industry sector — 653,900 cases.”  This

Employers need oversight and monitoring in order to ensure that they comply with all safety laws and regulations designed to protect their workers. Unfortunately, state and federal agencies which have been charged with the task of conducting investigations and imposing penalties, are understaffed. This means investigations into worksites very rarely happen, so many employers don’t feel the need to comply with the rules. Absent an increase in inspections, one of the best ways to ensure companies do what they are supposed to is to impose substantial fines and penalties if the company’s non-compliance with safety rules has adverse consequences.   Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)