Worker Killed in Construction Accident at Mass General Hospital

Construction work is notoriously dangerous, with multiple potential hazards on every project. A fatal accident at a construction site in Boston in January 2023 highlighted just how quickly a tragic accident can occur. In this case, it was a fall.

A construction worker fell to their death while performing work on the roof of the Massachusetts General Hospital main campus building on Blossom Street. Police, hospital officials and representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) came to the scene, where a food truck operator explained that the accident happened “all of a sudden, out of nowhere.”

That suddenness is typical of construction site accidents, where serious falls are so common that OSHA includes them among the four most dangerous hazards. In all, OSHA’s “Fatal Four” is comprised of the following types of accidents:

• Falls — OSHA reports that falls are the top cause of construction-related deaths, accounting for more than a third of fatalities within the industry. Falls can happen due to improper use of ladders, poorly built scaffolding, failure to install personal fall arrest systems, lack of guardrails and other causes.
• Caught-in and caught-between incidents — These accidents occur when workers are pinned or caught in between machines, stuck in a caved-in trench or buried at an excavation site. Causes of the accidents include unprotected trenches, negligent equipment operation, excavation areas that aren’t shored up and machines not being locked out during maintenance.
• Struck-by injuries — Many injuries and deaths occur when construction workers are struck by objects or equipment. Workers can be hit by tools dropped from heights, falling debris or material that breaks loose from a forklift or other machine used to carry something. Workers can also be struck by swinging or rolling objects.
• Electrocution — Construction sites are rife with electrical hazards. There may be overhead power lines or buried utilities. Some projects run on large portable generators and long extension cords, which can get exposed to rain and mud, making things more dangerous.

Construction workers who are injured on the job may pursue a workers’ compensation claim that allows them to collect reimbursement for their medical expenses and part of the wages they’ve lost. Many construction accident injuries are caused by a third party (not the victim’s employer or co-worker). If this is the case, you could file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable business or individual to recover damages that are not provided through workers’ compensation benefits. Any injured worker, or the family of a worker who was killed on the job, should consult with an experienced Boston construction accident lawyer to learn about their legal options.

At Feinberg & Alban PC, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured construction workers and families in Massachusetts. When you need an accident lawyer who will fight for you, call our Boston office at 617-232-5950 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.