Posts Tagged ‘“wrongful death”’
Crane Accidents Continue Around U.S., New Safety Rules Needed
This year has been a tragic one for the crane industry. The most recent accident to gain national attention was
the collapse of an enormous mobile crane at an oil refinery in Houston, Texas. Four workers were killed when the crane, with a 400 foot boom, toppled, taking another crane down as it fell. This news follows two dramatic crane accidents in New York City, both of which involved fatalities, and which exposed corruption in the inspection unit responsible for crane safety. Other recent crane accidents have taken lives in Las Vegas, Miami, and Oklahoma City.
Amazingly, only fifteen states (Massachusetts is among them) require crane operators to be certified or
licensed. But even licensing of crane operators is insufficient when general contractors fail to recognize and warn of inadequate site conditions, or when other workers ignore basic safety rules.
With eighty people dying each year in crane accidents, it is long past time for the federal government to act.
Sadly, the NY Times reports today, rules to strengthen OSHA regulations to reduce the likelihood of a crane accident sit mired in red tape. The building industry and labor both want better rules, but the administration won’t act.
The new safety rules should be enacted promptly to protect workers and the public from avoidable tragedies
caused by crane accidents.
The attorneys at Breakstone, White& Gluck, P.C. have handled a number of crane accident and other construction site accident cases, and have an excellent understanding of crane operations as well the rules and regulations governing construction sites. If you or someone you know has been injured in a construction accident, we would be pleased to provide a free consultation regarding your case. You can read more hiring a
lawyer for construction accidents on our construction and crane accident page.
Resources:
Massachusetts Crane Accident Case Report
Long Overdue Crane Safety, NY Times, August 2, 2008
Crane Accident at Houston Refinery, NY Times, July 19, 2008
Crash Statistics Show No Improvement in Massachusetts Highway Death Rates, Little Improvement in Drunk Driving Death Rate
There are about 6.5 million residents of Massachusetts, and about 4.6 million drivers. The number of miles driven each year for the last three years has been in the range of roughly 55 million miles per year. And despite efforts to improve vehicle safety, enforce traffic laws, and improve highway design, death rates have dropped only slightly, primarily as a result of fewer pedestrian accidents.
Here is a summary of some of the statistics. The statistics for 2007 are not yet available.
|
Fatal Accidents in |
|||
| Victim | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
| Driver | 234 | 232 | 233 |
| Passenger | 88 | 70 | 76 |
| Motorcyclist | 58 | 54 | 49 |
| Pedestrian | 82 | 79 | 61 |
| Bicyclist | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| Other/Unknown | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 476 | 441 | 429 |
Statistics for the same period are not completely available concerning disabling injuries. However, for 2004 and 2005 the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security reports over 5,000 people suffered incapacitating injuries from some sort of motor vehicle crash. In the same two years, 138,465 and 158,802 motor vehicle crashes were reported.
Drunk driving continues to play a major role in fatal car accidents, though the last three years have seen a slight drop in the role of alcohol in fatal accidents.
| Year | Fatalities | ||||
| Total | Alcohol Related |
% | 0.08 | % | |
| 2004 | 476 | 203 | 43 | 181 | 38 |
| 2005 | 442 | 171 | 39 | 150 | 34 |
| 2006 | 422 | 159 | 38 | 137 | 32 |
These data include not just deaths to the drunk drivers, but to passengers, other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. It also includes deaths related to alcohol consumed by pedestrians and bicyclists.
In addition to the wrongful deaths of so many individuals caused by drunk drivers, there are also thousands of personal injuries caused by drunk driving accidents.
If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury or if a loved one has suffered wrongful death as a result of a drunk driving accident or other motor vehicle accident, please contact the lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck today for a free consultation. Our toll free number is 800-379-1244. Learn more about Hiring an Attorney for a Car Accident Case.
More Information:
Massachusetts Drunk Driving Statistics Center for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center-Impaired Driving
Nail Guns Causing More Construction Site Injuries and Wrongful Deaths
Improperly designed nail guns and negligently operated nail guns are leading to tens of thousands of accidents, injuries, and wrongful death claims among construction workers and consumers. Each day over 100 injuries occure, and roughly two-thirds of those injuries were construction site accidents. In addition to injuries caused to workers, bystanders, people working nearby, and people passing worksites have often been injured.
The number of injuries as well as a number of wrongful death claims have led to calls to make nail guns safer. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommended in May, 2003 that “manufacturers install sequential-trip triggers on certain types of nail guns before distribution.” This is a voluntary standard.
What Should You Do If You Suffer a Nail Gun Injury?
First, preserve the evidence; do not adjust or take apart the nail gun or its attachments. Secure the evidence where it cannot be tampered with or lost so the product liability case can be properly investigated.
Contact an experienced product liability and construction site accident lawyer immediately. It is critical for you to preserve your rights by being represented by the best attorneys at all times.
The lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have decades of experience with product liability and construction site accidents, and are prepared to get the best results if you or a loved one has suffered a nail gun accident or wrongful death.
Read More About Massachusetts Nail Gun Accident Cases.
Other Resources
Nail gun injuries under fire as injuries soar, Sacramento Bee, 4/13/08
Decades of research and calls for more nail gun safety, Sacramento Bee
Nail Gun Injuries are Increasing, Revolution Health Orthopedic Blog, 6/5/07
Several Recent Truck Accidents in Massachusetts
A series of tractor-trailer accidents in Massachusetts reminds us of just how serious truck accidents can be. The latest, on March 20th, caused injuries to the driver himself and another motorist. For thousands of others it was traffic-snarling nightmare, when the tractor-trailer carrying paint flipped on the Mass Turnpike during the morning commute. Rush hour traffic was backed up for ten miles.
Other recent crashes have been much more serious. On March 17th, a college student was killed when he was struck while crossing the street in a crosswalk in Cambridge after he was hit by a tractor-trailer. News reports indicate that the truck was operated by Shaws supermarkets. In Massachusetts, under G.L. c.89, Sec. 11, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing in a crosswalk.
The most spectacular crash, thankfully one that only caused property damage and not injury, occurred in Everett in the early morning hours of December 6, 2007, when a loaded fuel tanker rolled over in a rotary. The contents spilled and ignited, then flowed down the street setting cars and homes on fires. Dozens of cars were destroyed, along with several buildings. Thirteen families were left homeless, and a hundred elderly residents were evacuated from their homes. The area “looked like a war zone.”
Defensive driving techniques are one way you can help avoid injury to yourself. A common winter hazard is the collection of ice and snow on the top trucks traveling on the highways. These accumulations can become missiles when they lift off at high speeds, easily crashing through windshields causing serious physical injuries and head injuries. Report any such violations to the police. Watch out for loads that might shift or which are loose, and do not follow loaded trucks closely. Remember, trucks have large turning and long stopping distances, and can weigh over fifty tons.
For more information, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration safety website.
If you need a lawyer to handle your truck accident case, please contact us toll free at 1-800-379-1244, or use the contact form on this page. For more information on choosing a truck accident attorney, visit our page on Hiring a Lawyer for Personal Injuries Caused by Trucking Accidents.