Those employed in the construction industry risk injury or death every day they go to work. Construction accidents simply happen far too often. The good news is that, at least in New York City, construction accidents are on the decline.According to a recently released article, between July 2019 and June 2020, there was a 19% decrease in construction-related accidents. In that time, a total of 543 injuries were reported, as well as eight deaths. The previous year, the city management report showed a total of 646 injuries and 11 deaths. The shutdown of nonessential services earlier this year is believed to have contributed to the reduction in accidents.Shutdown or not, these numbers are definitely trending in the right direction. Only time will tell if they will stay down or go [...]

Construction is a physically demanding and mentally taxing industry. Those who work on job sites across New York know that they can be working with powerful equipment, bad weather, heights, and countless other risky elements on a regular basis.Considering how often workers are exposed to dangerous conditions, it should not be surprising that accidents happen on construction sites. And when they do occur, they can be quite severe. And some accidents are far more common than others.How are workers most likely to get hurt?According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the four most common (and deadly) accidents in the construction industry are:Other accidents that can happen on construction sites include motor vehicle accidents, poisoning from toxic substances and weather-related injuries.The consequences of these incidents can be dire. [...]

Investigators in New York are in the process of looking into an accident that left three construction workers injured and one dead. This event occurred in Manhattan on July 16. It is just another reminder of how quickly a construction accident can happen and how dangerous this line of work is.According to reports, the workers were in the middle of a building facade repair when a portion of the parapet collapsed and fell. Some of the debris struck a rig holding two workers near the 11th floor. The rig then fell and hit the scaffolding below. Both construction employees in the rig as well as two on the ground suffered injuries in the event. One of them died at the scene, and the other three were transported to Bellevue Hospital [...]

Ground crew workers at airports do not get the most attention among airline employees. That spotlight is reserved for pilots and flight attendants. But such workers maintain crucial roles within an airport and airline's operations, fulfilling a variety of tasks inside a terminal and outside a terminal.Among their duties: checking in passengers for their flights, providing security checks, assisting disabled passengers, loading and unloading passenger bags from aircraft, stocking and cleaning the aircraft as well as helping passengers and crew get off the plane by providing the stairs once the plane lands. And all those tasks provide ample opportunity for an assortment of workplace injuries.Stress, noise and strainsAirport ground crews face a significant number of physical challenges that can lead to an injury at any time. The continuous lifting of [...]

College- and high school-aged students sometimes want to grow up too quickly, enjoying some of the privileges that come with adulthood. One of those privileges is drinking alcohol. But after having had a few drinks at a party and getting behind the wheel of your dad's car, are you prepared to face the consequences of a drunk driving charge?An arrest can sneak up on you. The flashing cherry red lights from a law enforcement vehicle may not be quite enough to sober you up. But the aftermath of a drunk driving arrest likely will. You must face your parents, a judge and the reality that your life has changed, and not for the better.Zero tolerance for those under 21What you thought was a routine drive turned into conundrum that steers [...]

While on vacation out-of-state, you celebrated with alcohol a bit too much. You get arrested for and charged with drunk driving. A night in jail provides the chance to sober up, and you ponder your fate. A few days later, you travel home with family. After several weeks of legal proceedings, a drunk driving conviction is on your record.If you think your driving troubles ended upon your return from out of state, you better think again. In New York, as in other states, you face related consequences stemming from a drunk driving conviction that occurred elsewhere.Expect license revocationA drunk driving conviction from no matter what state will haunt you for some time. The state of New York will find out about your offense, so do not expect that it goes [...]

Long-term repercussions surface with a DWI conviction. And you know you are in trouble from the start. Jail time and probation are a possibility, and you will be socked with a stiff fine. Do not forget the likelihood of the suspension or revocation of your driver's license, and even civil legal action if involved in an accident that caused serious injuries.These are some of the upfront costs related to a DWI conviction. But there are lot more hidden costs to come. Beyond increased auto insurance rates, you might lose your job. Your personal and professional reputation will take a hit, too. And required enrollment in an alcohol treatment program means another financial setback.From higher insurance rates to job lossThere are many hidden and not-so-hidden costs stemming from a DWI conviction. [...]

It can be dangerous to engage in any kind of physical activity in the summer heat, to say nothing of hard, physical work. Workers in New York need to be aware of the special challenges that come when working under the summer sun, and what steps they need to take to help prevent a work-related illness or injury.Heat-related illnesses are seriousHeat exhaustion can leave you feeling extremely ill. If not treated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can be fatal. If you find yourself feeling dizzy, nauseous or disoriented, you should seek shelter in a cool place and hydrate. This is especially important for workers whose jobs require them to wear heavy protective gear. In the words of OSHA, Water. Rest. Shade.""Heat is not the only enemy of [...]

The penalties of a drunk driving charge can add up. Between the costly fines and potential jail time, they can have a long-lasting effect on your financial stability, everyday life and even personal and professional relationships.And while you can attempt to defend yourself in court, it can be difficult to come out on top if you don't have the experience necessary for handling a DUI case. That's why you may benefit from hiring a DUI lawyer.Advantages of hiring a DUI lawyerA DUI attorney may be equipped with the knowledge you need to defend yourself and find the best possible outcome for your case. More specifically, a DUI lawyer might be able to help in these areas:Protect yourself in a DUI courtSeeking the help of a DUI lawyer is a way [...]

Authorities are looking into a recent incident at a construction site in New York that left one person dead and another injured. Two men were reportedly hit by falling debris while working on a demolition project. Following a construction accident like this one, it is normal for those involved, or their surviving family members, to question liability, as well as desire compensation for their losses.According to reports, at approximately 11:45 a.m., on Feb. 20, first responders were called to a construction site located near Sutphin Blvd. The victims were working on the second floor of the building when it collapsed. A safety supervisor not associated with this project claims that the site had been unsafe. The Buildings Department Commissioner says that her team has begun its investigation and plans to [...]