Construction Site Accidents
Massachusetts Homeowner Found to be Not Liable for Subcontractor’s Damages
The Massachusetts Appeals Court recently reviewed a case in which the defendant homeowner, Johnson, hired a contractor to remove several trees from her land. The contractor subsequently hired a subcontractor/crane operator, West, to help with the project. The crane was damaged during the work, and the crane operator sued the homeowner. The jury found in his favor. His case was before the Appeals Court to determine whether the homeowner was liable for his damages.
Johnson had several conversations with the general contractor about the exact location of her septic system, which was important for him to know in order to safely remove the trees. The contractor apparently conveyed information about the septic system to his subcontractor, the crane operator. The day the crane arrived, Johnson noticed that it was set up in the location of the septic system. Though she was a surprised, she did not interfere with his work.
Soon after, the crane’s outrigger pierced the septic system and the crane tipped over, causing damage to the crane and to the house. The crane operator sued Johnson, cliaming that she had a duty to warn him about the septic system.
The Appeals Court determined there was no duty. Even though Johnson may have been suspicious of the crane’s placement, she did not have a further duty to give warnings. She retained no control over the work in general, and crane operator’s work in particular. Her only duty to the general contractor was to give accurate information about the septic system, which she did. It was the responsibility of the original contractor to oversee the actions of the crane operator.
Accordingly, the crane operator’s case was dismissed. The case is West v. Johnson, Mass. App. Ct. No. 08-P-130 (2009).
As a homeowner, how can I protect myself from these types of lawsuits?
An important consideration in determining liability is control: the less control you have over a situation, the less likely it is that you will be liable for damages. One of the many benefits of hiring a general contractor to help with a residential construction project is the shift of liability from you to the contractor. If a contractor agrees to oversee all aspects of subcontractor performance, the homeowner will likely have no direct contractual agreements with the subcontractors and, therefore, retain no control over their work.
Before hiring a contractor, be proactive. Ensure that they are registered with the state, and are carrying adequate insurance. Review the details of your contract, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and ask for proof of his/her registration and insurance certificates. Browse the additional links below for more tips on how to choose a contractor.
Additional links:
• Homeowners FAQ’s – The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
• Choosing a Professional Contractor – The Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Massachusetts Workers Continue to Suffer High Rate of Workplace Death, Injury and Disease
In its annual report on workplace safety, The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) has detailed the high rate of death, injury, and disease which Massachusetts workers continue to suffer. Enforcement and prevention by OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is still seen as lacking, and an audit of OSHA nationwide demonstrated a failure to enforce job safety laws against employers which repeatedly risk injury and death to workers. OSHA is underfunded and understaffed and incapable of completing comprehensive worksite inspections.
According to the MassCOSH report, sixty-six workers lost their lives on the job in 2008. These deaths were caused by transportation accident, falls, commercial fishing, workplace violence, crushing injuries, electrocution, and toxic substances. Falls continued to be a common cause of workplace deaths, and most of these were construction accidents.
In addition to the high rate of death in the workplace, almost 90,000 workers in the private jobs sector (which excludes self-employed and public sector workers) suffered some form of work injury. While Massachusetts did not have the highest rate of workplace injury, the rate of serious injuries and illnesses, resulting in lost time from work, was higher than the national average.
Occupational disease also remains a very serious concern, and the scope of this problem is not completely known. Certain diseases, such as mesothelioa, occupational cancers, work-related asthma, and lead poisoning are tracked, but the diagnoses of these diseases is not always related to the job, even if it was caused by a workplace exposure.
The complete report released by MassCOSH, entitled Dying for Work in Massachusetts, Loss of Life and Limb in Massachusetts Workplaces, is available at the MassCOSH website. MassCOSH sponsored Worker Memorial Day at the Massachusetts State House on April 28th.
Breakstone, White & Gluck, a Massachusetts construction accident law firm, is a proud sponsor of the work of MassCOSH, which is making Massachusetts workplaces safer for all, and which is working to increase the rate and quality of workplace safety inspection and enforcement.
Massachusetts Car and Truck Drivers: Slow Down and Move Over to Prevent Accidents–It’s the Law!
Massachusetts drivers now have another law to obey: Drivers need to slow down and move over when approaching stationary police, emergency response, and construction vehicles that have their lights flashing. The penalty: $100, and your insurance rates will probably also go up.
This well intentioned bill was enacted to prevent injuries caused by car accidents. First responders to accident scenes and work crews have suffered serious injuries as the result of negligent drivers who fail to slow and move over, and the legislation is designed to make their work safer.
But can you legislate this kind of safety? The bill itself is quite vague. A driver is required to change lanes “if practicable.” A driver is required to reduce his or her speed to a “reasonable and safe speed for road conditions.” How will that be judged? And will emergency vehicles leave the scene to chase down violators of this new law?
Saving lives and preventing injuries are, of course, important goals. But real safety comes from a broader awareness of our duty to ensure the safety of emergency and construction personnel, and that awareness begins with proper driving training. It also begins with simple common sense and courtesy.
Contractors Cited in Fatal Quincy, Massachusetts Shipyard Crane Accident
A crane collapse in August 2008, which occurred in Quincy, Massachusetts, caused one wrongful death and three other people injured. After an extensive investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issued citations to three of the companies involved in the crane
dismantling process. With today’s pressure to underbid competition, many people are wondering if those cost savings mean a compromise of safety on the job site.
At the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA, a giant crane needed dismantling. As is customary, specialty contactors were brought in for the task. Norsar LLC was hired to oversee the process and they subcontracted Sarens to operate the jacking system necessary for the dismantling process. OSHA issued citations for serious violations to both of these companies.
The problem, OSHA representatives say, is that the companies deviated from their original plan and then did not adequately work out the new plan, placing many employees in danger. Originally, the companies planned to dismantle the crane’s 160-foot leg units in two 80-foot parts. Instead, they opted to work with the full 160-foot units, exposing employees to crushing-by and struck-by hazards. Additionally, they failed to minimize employee presence in the danger zone.
Massachusetts Appeals Court Affirms Duty of General Contractor for Construction Site Safety
In Massachusetts, a general contractor which retains responsibilities for oversight of safety on the job site may be liable for injuries caused by the negligence of a subcontractor, according to a recent decision of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. The court affirmed this long-standing principle, affording protection to workers who suffer construction site accidents.
When a general contractor subcontracts work at a large construction project, frequently more than one level of subcontracts is required. For example, in this particular case a general contractor hired a subcontractor to perform demolition work in a building. The subcontractor hired another subcontractor to remove asbestos. The question before the court was whether the general contractor had responsibility when a worker removing the asbestos (an employee of the “sub-subcontractor”) was injured after falling from a scaffold at a Boston construction site. More specifically, could a general contractor be held liable under the theory of negligent supervision of job site safety?
The good news for all construction workers is that the answer to that question is not affected by how many layers of contracts stand between the worker and the general contractor. As long as a general contractor retains the right to control a subcontractor’s work — a right that includes maintenance of safety measures — then the general contractor is also bound by a legal duty to supervise the subcontractor’s employees and ensure their safety.
For example, in a contract between a general contractor and a subcontractor, it is common that a general contractor is obligated to:
- Perform periodic safety inspections
- Provide a safety manager at the construction site
- Record the daily responsibilities of the general contractor’s superintendent, whose duties will involve enforcement of safety procedures
The bottom line: If a laborer, employed by a subcontractor, is injured on a jobsite, the general contractor may also be liable for those injuries.
The case discussed above is Kostrzewa v. Suffolk Construction Co., Inc. and can be accessed online here.
Every accident case is unique, and the lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck, P.C., are experienced in working with top experts and getting the best compensation for victims injured in scaffold accidents, and other types of construction accidents. If you have been injured in a construction accident and wish to speak to a lawyer, please contact us online or at 617-723-7676 (or toll-free at 1-800-379-1244).
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
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