Boston Injury Lawyer Blog

According to news reports, a propane tank exploded at Weston High School today at a construction site. Neither the high school building—apparently about 25 feet from the propane tank—nor any student was affected by the explosion, and the fire was quickly extinguished. A 50-year-old construction worker, however, did appear to receive second-degree burns on his face, hands, and knee from the explosion and was immediately brought to Boston’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital. The cause of the explosion is current unknown, but is being investigated.

Construction sites are prime locations for injuries to occur, since they are often contain heavy equipment like forklifts and cranes, scaffolding, electrical equipment, and hazardous substances, along with dust and fumes. Construction workers thus risk falling from great heights, being crushed by heavy equipment, or being exposed to unsafe toxic chemicals.

Workers who are injured on the job, or who believe their work environment poses safety hazards, may file a complaint to have OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Labor) investigate your case.

Depending up on the cause of a propane tank explosion or other construction accident, you may be able to hold another—such as the construction company, the tool or equipment designer or manufacturer, or another negligent employee—accountable for your injuries. An experienced Boston construction and personal injury lawyer can provide you with insight into your legal options.

One worker hurt when propane tank explodes at Weston High School construction site, Boston.com, January 24, 2012

Propane Explosion at Weston High School, Patch.com, January 24, 2012

Two-and-a-half years after suffering severe electrical burns during a construction accident, Dallas Wiens has received a complete face transplant. Over 30 doctors, anesthesiologists, and nurses at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston conducted the procedure to give the 25-year-old construction worker a new face.

After the boom lift he was working struck a power line, Wiens fell into a coma for nearly three months Doctors thought he would never talk or walk again and that he would be paralyzed from the neck down. They also didn’t think he would be able to eat regular food. Wiens, who underwent 22 surgeries, lost all of his facial features, except for a lipless mouth. He is now blind.

Wiens’s transplant included the donor’s entire face and is the most complete facial transplant conducted in this country to date. He also can now smell, feel, and breathe on his own.

His injuries are a clear example of how seriously someone can get hurt during an electrical accident. If you were injured in a Massachusetts construction accident and you suffered severe electrical burns you should speak with a Boston injury lawyer right away.

About 1000 people die every year from electrical burns. Serious injuries can include muscle spasm, cardiac arrest, oral burns, suffocation, organ damage, skin burns, permanent bran damage, and death.

Even if you are injured on the job and you are entitled to Massachusetts workers’ compensation, you still may be able to receive Boston injury compensation from liable third parties.

Fort Worth man gets a new face... and a new beginning, WFAA, May 10, 2011

Dallas Wiens Reunites With Daughter After Full Face Transplant, ABC News, May 9, 2011

Transplant recipient 'amazed' at his new face, Boston, May 9, 2011

Dallas Wiens, horribly scarred by electric burn accident, pushes for rare full face transplant, NY Daily News, January 25, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Burns and Other Injuries, Occupational Safety Health Administration

Construction Accidents, Justia

Brigham and Woman’s Hospital

More Blog Posts:
Salem Construction Accident at Massachusetts Courthouse Last Summer Caused by Wrong Screw, Boston Injury Lawyers, January 19, 2011

Propane Tank Involved in Deadly Norfolk Construction Blast May Have been Lacking Chemical Odorant, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 31, 2010

Boston Crane Collapse Kills One Massachusetts Construction Worker and Injures Another, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 8, 2009

According to Massachusetts’ Division of Capital Asset Management, a worker sustained serious leg and arm injuries in the Salem construction accident at the Ruane Judicial Center site last summer because a contractor used the wrong kind of screws on a limestone panel. The 500-pound panel ended up falling four feet to the ground, where it broken into piece, some of which struck Stoneham worker Vincent Leahy. Lighthouse Masonry Inc. of New Bedford is the company that allegedly used the wrong screws.

The state says that the zinc-coated screws were the “direct cause” of why the fell and were not what was “specified in the design of the fastener system." Simpson Gumpertz & Hegerm, the national forensic engineering company that conducted the investigation into the Massachusetts work accident, also found “similarly failed fasteners” when it removed other panels. The probe concluded that the “adhesive anchor from the stone that fell” was improperly installed in a hole that hadn’t been correctly cleaned.”

Beginning January 9, 2011, the masonry company is barred from bidding on public building projects for a year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has slapped Lighthouse Masonry with three “serious citations” over the Salem construction accident. OSHA also cited Daniel O'Connell's Sons, which is the company that manages the construction project.

Salem Construction Accidents
Proving liability in a construction site can be challenging—especially when there are so many parties involved. This is why it is important that you worker with a Boston construction accident law firm that understands the different kinds of Massachusetts job site accidents that can occur and knows how to determine who should be held liable. Crane accidents, excavation accidents, welding accidents, electrical shock, fall accidents, on-site explosions, and accidents involving falling debris, are just some of the many types of construction accidents that can cause serious injury. An injured worker may have grounds for filing a Massachusetts workers’ compensation claim, in addition to third party lawsuits.

Wrong screw caused courthouse accident in Salem, The Salem News, January 5, 2011

Court project worker hurt as 500 pounds of rock fall, Gloucester Times, June 15, 2010

Related Web Resources:
OSHA

Ruane Judicial Center, Mass.gov

According to the Boston wrongful death lawyer of William Nichols’ family, the propane tank that exploded to cause his fatal Norfolk, Massachusetts construction accident last summer did not have ethyl mercaptan, a chemical odorant used to warn when there is a propane leak. Nichols, a 48-year-old Blackstone electrician, was working on the air conditioning and heading system of a duplex under construction on July 30 when the tank explosion occurred. He ended up buried in debris for over 90 minutes.

Nichols’s family reportedly plans to file Boston wrongful death complaints against Smolinksy Brothers Plumbing and Heating Service, the company that installed the heating system and EnergyUSA, which was responsible for installing the gas tank. The reports, issued by State Police and the state fire marshall, appear to clear DCP Midstream LLC, which delivered the gas.

Injured in the Norfolk propane blast were 72-year-old Foxboro resident David Bethel and 43-year-old Franklin local Robert Dena, who were both working for Deno Electric, Inc., 25-year-old Norfolk resident and Prevett Heating and Cooling employee William Prevett, 17-year-old Wrentham resident Thomas DiPlacido, and 58-year-old Norfolk local Mary Jackson, who lived in the adjacent condo. Firefighters John Zajac and David Payne were also injured.

Boston Construction Accidents
While employees generally cannot sue their employers for Boston personal injury or wrongful death, they are likely entitled to Massachusetts workers’ compensation for their work-related injuries, illness, or death. However, they can still file civil complaints against third parties that are not their employer who may have contributed to causing their Boston construction accident.

Rescued worker at Norfolk condo explosion dies, NECN, July 31, 2010

Propane tank in fatal blast lost telltale chemical, lawyer says, Boston.com, December 30, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Ethyl mercaptan, OSHA

Construction Accidents, Justia

Labor and Workforce Development, Mass.gov

Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

The Readville neighborhood residents whose homes were damaged from Wednesday’s explosion on Danny Road are now assessing damage, according to the Boston Globe. Dozens of windows were shattered and one homeowner believes that her house was moved from its foundation.

After the explosion, 40 homes had to be evacuated. According to residents interviewed by the Globe, windows were broken, pink insulation and smoke went through the air, and it felt like an earthquake.

The explosion occurred when a Defelice Corp. contractor accidentally cut into a gas line causing gas to seep into a nearby home. The general manager of Defelice claims that all proper safeguards were taken and all notifications were made prior to digging. Defelice had been subcontracted by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission to work in the neighborhood.

An NSTAR spokesperson told the Globe that Defelice did not contact Digsafe about their plans for Danny Road.

On-site explosions are a common cause of devastating personal injuries and damage to property. When explosions are caused by negligence, a person involved may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, property damages, lost wages, pain and suffering and possible punitive damages.

Continue reading "Residents Assess Damage from Readville Gas Explosion" »

The fatal explosion which occurred during a Massachusetts condominium construction project in July has led the state attorney general to investigate the delivery of faulty propane to locations across New England and New York.

Martha Coakley, the Attorney General, stated that the propane from a facility in Westfield lacks the necessary odorant which alerts homeowners and workers of a possibly dangerous gas leak.

Officials began to inspect propane supplies following the discovery that it was a propane leak which caused the death of a Norfolk construction worker this summer. Other construction workers stated that they did not smell a leak before the explosion occurred. The propane was traced back to a facility in Westfield.

Continue reading "Fatal MA Work Explosion Leads AG to Investigate the Delivery of Faulty Propane Across New England " »

A construction worker hurt his back and fractured his ribs on Monday during what is being described as a Shrewsbury slip and fall accident through the roof of an AutoZone that is under construction. The victim is employed by M&M Drywall of Georgia, a subcontractor for this job.

The worker fell 15 feet during the Massachusetts construction accident. According to Shrewsbury Fire Chief James M. Vuona, who is quoted on Telegram.com, the man fell after lifting a piece of plywood that was covering one of the openings of the auto parts store’s unfinished roof.

Vuona says that the Massachusetts fall accident may have happened because the surface that the worker was standing on was wet—either from dew or rain. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the Shrewsbury construction accident.

Boston, Massachusetts Construction Fall Accidents
Fall accidents from roofs, skylights, cranes, scaffolds, and other elevated heights are a common cause of serious injuries to construction workers. Construction falls can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, coma, and even death. While an employer is supposed to pay Massachusetts workers’ compensation benefits for work injuries and deaths, disputes sometimes can arise, and this is where an experienced Boston workers' compensation law firm can help you. There also may be third parties who should be held liable.

There are safety measures that must be in place to protect construction workers from getting hurt in a fall accident. For example, the roof of a structure under construction must be finished to a degree where it is safe enough for workers to go on it. Also, workers must be equipped with the proper protection and safety procedures must be abided by.

Man injured in job accident, News Telegram.com, July 13, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Falls, OSHA

Construction Safety, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Continue reading "Construction Worker Injured During Massachusetts Slip and Fall Accident Through Roof" »

In Boston, one worker has died and another suffered serious injuries when a crane fell at Suffolk University on Saturday morning. The crane was being used to inspect the roof of a seven-story dorm building when it tipped over, causing its 110-foot arm to crash into a building and barely miss a number of shoppers who were browsing books at the Brattle Book Shop’s outdoor display.

The two workers who were involved in the deadly Massachusetts work accident were in the crane’s basket when it fell onto a paved lot. They are James Williamson, who died from his work injuries, and Greg Johnson.

Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials, police, and firefighters were at the scene all day to examine the crane and determine determine what caused the accident. According to the Boston Fire Department's spokesperson, the force of the fall bent the crane and caused it to split apart.

Crane Accidents
Hundreds of thousands of workers suffer serious, if not fatal injuries in crane accidents each year. OSHA cites causes of crane accidents to include:

• Improper assembly
• Improper disassembly
• Boom buckling
• Failed rigging
• Falls
• Outrigger use
• Improperly trained workers
• Inadequate safety gear
• Improper safety procedures

Suffolk University says it contracted Tremco Inc to inspect several of its buildings’ roofs. Sheet Metal of Framingham and Reliable Roofing were subcontracted to do the work, and the latter had rented the crane equipment from Height 4 Hire. Last March, OSHA slapped Reliable Roofing with a $4,500 fine because the company neglected to provide workers with safety net systems, guardrail systems, and personal fall arrest systems at a Newburyport job site.

Workers injured at job sites do not have to prove that another party was at fault in order to receive Massachusetts workers' compensation benefits, which they are owed under state law. They do, however, have to prove liability by a third party in order to receive personal injury compensation. While workers' compensation benefits do provide some relief, the injuries and losses sustained in a construction accident may incur expenses that far surpass the financial compensation your employer is required to provide. This is why it is important that you consider all of your legal options.

Crane accident in Downtown Crossing leaves two injured, Boston Herald, February 9, 2009

Crane falls down, killing worker, Boston.com, February 8, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Crane Accidents

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Continue reading "Boston Crane Collapse Kills One Massachusetts Construction Worker and Injures Another" »

A Massachusetts construction worker sustained moderate crush injuries after getting hurt at T & K Asphalt Sealing in Whitman on Monday. The worker, 32, was under the cab of a bobcat when the bucket arms of the heavy machinery came down and crushed him. A co-worker lifted the construction equipment off the injured worker.

According to Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenneo, the man was in great pain. The victim was transported to Beth Israel Hospital for treatment of his injuries. The Department of Public Safety and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the cause of the construction accident.

If you or your loved one is a worker who was injured in a Massachusetts construction accident, it is important that you know about your rights to receive workers’ compensation benefits or personal injury recovery from any negligent third parties.

Examples of Construction Accidents that Can Result in Serious Injuries:

• Gas explosions
• Fires
• Welding accidents
• Fall accidents
• Trench collapses
• Electrocution accidents
• Hazardous leaks
• Electric shock accidents
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Construction machinery accidents
• Operating equipment accidents
• Scaffolding accidents
• Crane accidents
• Accidents involving defective construction equipment

Construction injuries can lead to costly medical and recovery bills. In some instances, a construction worker may be so seriously injured that he or she may no longer be able to work again and support the family. Ongoing medical and nursing care can take a toll not only on the victim but also on the family’s financial livelihood.

Man trapped by constuction machinery in Whitman, Wicked Local, October 27, 2008

Construction worker injured in Whitman, 7 Boston, October 27, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Occupational Health and Safety Administration

Massachusetts Department of Public Safety

T & K Asphalt Sealing

Continue reading "Massachusetts Construction Worker Sustains Crush Injuries After Getting Trapped Under Machinery in Whitman Accident " »

In Massachusetts, a construction accident on the AstraZeneca campus in Waltham on Sunday has left one worker, 40, dead and another, age 30, with serious injuries. According to Waltham Police, the work accident occurred at around 11 in the morning while the men were installing aluminum panels to the side of the lab that is under construction.

The two workers plunged to the ground some 25 feet when the hydraulic lift that the two men were on tipped over. While the older man died at the accident site, the younger worker was admitted to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Police, who are investigating the crash, say that the lift, which was on an incline, became unstable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating the fall accident.

The two construction workers worked for Lymo Construction. An earlier accident at the Lymo site resulted in one worker hurting his knee. The company, however, says that it has an “excellent” safety record on the project. Lymo was cited three years ago for not having enough fall protection at a construction site in Pembroke.

Fall Accidents
Due to the nature of construction work, workers do risk getting hurt in fall accidents. This is why it is so important that construction companies implement and enforce the proper safety precautions and that workers use the correct protection gear.

Examples of Construction Falls:

Falls from roofs: Examples of this leading cause of death at construction sites include falls through skylights and openings in roofs, as well as falls from communication towers and rooftops.

Falls from cranes: Workers have been known to fall from great heights when a crane falls over. A series of crane collapse accidents in the US have led critics to question whether the proper safety precautions are being taken to prevent crane accidents.

Falls from elevator shafts: A worker doesn’t have to fall from a great height through an elevator shaft in order to sustain serious injuries or die.

Scaffolding falls: A common cause of scaffolding fall accidents is faulty construction.

Falls through Holes in Construction Site Floors: Weak floors or holes in flooring can lead to serious injuries for workers.

1 killed, 1 hurt in accident at job site, Boston.com, October 11, 2008

Man dead, another critical after lift collapse in Waltham, The MetroWest Daily News, October 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Lymo Construction

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Continue reading "One Massachusetts Construction Worker is Dead and Another is Injured in Fall Accident From Lift at a Waltham Job Site" »