 Construction sites pose many dangers to workers and innocent bystanders alike. Construction workers are subject to high level of risk as they are often involved in potentially dangerous tasks such as lifting heavy objects, operating large machinery, and performing job duties at elevated heights. Still, proper protocol and safety practices can decrease a worker or bystander’s risk of injury. When someone causes a preventable construction accident through negligence, he or she may be liable for the victim's injuries. When a construction accident causes harm to an employee, workers' compensation laws will generally apply. There are, however, cases in which the worker can also obtain economic recovery from other parties who may be deemed liable such as companies that manufacture construction equipment that prove to be defective. When an innocent bystander suffers injury as the result of a construction accident, he or she may also be eligible to recover damages by filing a personal injury claim. We are ready to represent clients who have been injured in scaffold accidents, scalded by dangerous chemicals, injured by falling objects, or have been the victim of various labor law and OSHA violations. In cases of injuries suffered as the result of defective ladders or scaffolds, there is a specific New York law which holds owners, contractors and subcontractors strictly liable if it is proven that a violation of the statute caused these injuries. If you suffer a serious injury or lose a family member in a construction or work related accident, our firm will aggressively prosecute you case, identifying all of the responsible parties, which can include owners, general contractors, construction mangers, subcontractors, and employers. We will obtain the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, lost earnings, short term and long term medical care and treatment, and medical expenses. If your claim is against an employer, although an injured employee cannot sue his or her own employer for work related injuries, we will make every effort to identify any potential third parties whose negligence led to the injuries. Even if the accident cannot be attributed to the fault of a third party, you may still be eligible to receive Workers’ compensation in the State of New York. This provides benefits to employees who are injured on the job or suffer an occupational disease arising in the course of their employment. The benefits may include weekly payments based on a percentage of the employee's average weekly wage for temporary total disability, partial disability, permanent or total disability, and permanent loss of function and disfigurement. Workers' Compensation also covers medical expenses for treatment that it judges as necessary, reasonable, and clearly related to the injury and vocational rehabilitation of the injured party. Manufacturers of the equipment used in the construction industry are accountable for designing and maintaining safe products. Defective or dangerous products have included the following: cranes, scaffolding, power tools, hoists, derricks, conveyors, tools for woodworking, ladders, trucks, winches, graters, tractors, scrapers, bulldozers, forklifts, back hoes, all heavy equipment, pressure vessels, boilers, gas detectors and other types of construction equipment. If defective equipment was responsible for your accident, we will obtain the maximum possible compensation for you from all responsible parties and their insurance companies. Whether you're a construction worker or merely a bystander who has suffered injury as the result of a construction accident, you may be eligible to receive economic recovery for your losses. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and determine a course of action. Common Causes of Construction AccidentsThere are perhaps innumerable ways in which a person can suffer injury at a construction site. Scaffolding accidents are the most common, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all construction accidents. Other common causes include: falls, electrocution, and improperly braced trenches. When attempting to determine the liability for injuries sustained in a construction accident, it helps to understand each party's responsibilities at the site. In the case that a construction accident occurs, any of the following parties may bear total or partial responsibility: - Site Owners;
- General and Sub-Contractors;
- Architects and Engineers; and
- Manufacturers of Construction Machinery or Equipment
Know Your RightsIf you have suffered injury as the result of a construction accident, you are responsible for proving your case against the liable party(s). This usually requires the help of a qualified attorney. It is always wise to seek competent legal counsel after a construction accident to ensure that your rights are protected, especially since a statute of limitations applies to all workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Contact us for a consultation with a knowledgeable injury attorney. Thousands of construction workers are killed or injured in construction site accidents every year. Construction accidents are frequently severe due to the dangerous equipment and hazardous materials present at many job sites. Accidents continue to occur, even though construction companies are obligated to inspect every construction site with safety engineers and provide programs to improve employee safety. |