Construction Accidents
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.
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.
New York City Construction Accident Lawyer Helping Victims in Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, Bronx and Brooklyn
Construction accidents are far too common in the greater New York area, often resulting in serious injuries. Although construction sites are inherently dangerous, construction workers have a right to a safe environment. While injured workers are generally covered by Workers' Compensation Insurance, personal injury lawsuits arise when construction accidents are the result of safety violations or the negligence of third parties.
Prime Law Firm has been successfully representing injured construction workers for over 25 years. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, we can help you obtain compensation that considers all of your medical and financial needs. Guided by a principle that construction workers should not be forced to suffer because of another's negligence, we know how to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Common Construction Accidents In New York City
The leading causes of injuries are construction sites include:
- Falls — The most common construction accident, workers are frequently injured in falls from ladders, scaffolding, roofs, and other heights.
- Falling Objects — Tools, equipment, and construction material that are not properly can fall and strike individuals working below. Falling objects can cause serious head, brain, and spinal cord injuries, even if a worker is wearing a required hardhat.
- Trench and Building Collapses — Trenches are at risk if cave-ins if proper precautions are not taken while buildings under construction or that are being demolished can collapse without warning, causing catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
- Fires and Explosions — Exposed wiring, unattended blow torches, leaking pipes, flammable materials and ruptured gas mains often cause fires and explosions, resulting in traumatic burn injuries and deaths.
- Electrocutions — Exposed to wires and faulty connections cause electrocutions which account for 10 percent of deaths in the construction industry.
- Equipment Accidents — Heavy machinery, cranes, forklifts, table saws, nail guns, drills, and dumpsters cause countless injuries at construction sites each year.
Construction accidents can result in head and brain injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, broken bones and fractures, amputations and other types of harm. Moreover, physical exertion, particularly bending and lifting, can lead to repetitive motion injuries (e.g. muscle and joint damage). Serious injuries may also necessitate the amputation of fingers, toes or limbs while workers can suffer from respiratory illnesses after being exposed to dust, asbestos, and other toxic substances.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
There 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 Subcontractors
- Architects and Engineers
- Manufacturers of Construction Machinery or Equipment
- Insurers
- OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) compliance officer
Know Your Rights at an NYC Construction Site
Construction workers typically perform all types of hazardous tasks, ranging from operating large machinery and equipment to lifting heavy objects, to working at elevated heights.
Such hazards put construction workers at a higher level of injury risk than those in other workplaces. Injuries can be avoided if required safety practices are implemented and proper protocols are followed, however.
While workers' compensation laws protect construction workers who sustain injuries by providing for lost wages and medical benefits, workers have additional protection if their injuries are the result of negligence. Under New York State Labor Law (§ 200), for example, site owners, general contractors and those employed by a general contractor are required to provide workers with a safe workplace.
The Labor Law also imposes vicarious liability on owners for the negligence of contractors, subcontractors and their agents or employees. Contractors can also be held liable for the negligence of subcontractors who fail to provide reasonable and adequate safety to workers. Finally, contractors and owners involved in the construction or demolition of buildings are also required to provide and maintain scaffolding, ladders, ropes and other safety equipment in order to protect workers.
In other words, the Labor Law allows injured construction workers to bring lawsuits against multiple parties — owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, machinery equipment manufacturers, and their insurers — for construction site injuries arising from negligence. In the unfortunate event that a loved one has been killed in a construction accident, surviving family members can also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. The surest way to achieve a successful outcome in a construction accident claim is to enlist the services of Prime Law Firm.
If 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.
New York Construction Accident Attorneys
Prime Law Firm has decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured construction workers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. Well-versed in the applicable negligence, insurance, and labor laws, our experienced attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Although site owners, insurance companies, and responsible third parties often seek to avoid liability at any cost, we will leverage our skills and resources to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
We understand that being injured in a construction accident is a terrible experience. Many of our clients are unable to return to the job for an extended period of time, which can be a tremendous emotional and financial burden. When you are suffering, and when your livelihood as a construction worker is in jeopardy, we can help to lift that burden by providing you with aggressive legal representation and personal attention. Our legal team has a proven track record of obtaining significant financial settlements and jury awards for injured construction workers and their loved ones. Call our office today at 212-994-7777 or complete the convenient online contact form to set up a consultation.
