A construction expert witness opines on a case involving falling concrete that injured a construction worker’s head. A steelworker was working for a subcontractor at the site of a restaurant addition when chips of cinder block struck his head. An employee of another subcontractor attempted to move a cinder block beam that had been lowered by a crane into place. His action caused the chunks of block to chip off and fall nearly 15 feet, striking the plaintiff below. The plaintiff was wearing a helmet. The chunk hit him in the head and shoulder, injuring his head, neck and shoulder. The plaintiff was treated at the hospital in New Hampshire. He missed work, suffered a loss of earnings, had medical expenses, endured pain, suffering, and disability and believes he will continue to suffer pain, loss of earning capacity, permanent disability and future medical expenses.
The plaintiff filed a negligence action against the subcontractor and general subcontractor at the site. The subcontractor was negligent for the way in which its employee attempted to guide or fit the brick beam into position, and was further negligent in failing to bar other workers on the job from entering an area of danger by sealing it off. The plaintiff alleges the general contractor violated state safety statutes by failing to seal off an area of potential danger for workers on the job site.
His two minor children filed a claim for loss of society and companionship resulting from the injuries sustained by their father. The plaintiff’s workers’ compensation insurer subrogated plaintiff’s action, filing a claim for a lien for medical expenses and disability benefits paid.
