New York Construction Accident Attorney
Construction work is inherently dangerous. One in five work-related fatalities occurs in construction, and nearly 25% of construction workers will experience some form of work-related injury during their careers. Those who suffer accidents in this industry – often due to negligence – can suffer life-altering injuries and financial stress due to hefty medical bills, and disabilities that prevent the injured worker from returning to their labor-intensive jobs. If you have suffered an accident or injury while employed in the construction industry due to negligence, contact our attorneys to learn more about your rights.
You may be eligible for various forms of compensation, including damages. Our construction accident attorneys at Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC. have handled hundreds of cases involving accidents and fatalities resulting from workplace negligence and can guide you through the legal process.
Common Construction Accidents
Accidents in the construction industry take a countless variety of forms. Below are the most common accidents that construction workers encounter, which are often due to some sort of negligence.
- Falls: Falls are the most common type of construction-related accident. Falling from roofs, ladders, or even scaffolding may result in tragic and sometimes fatal injuries, including broken bones, spinal injuries, head trauma, and sometimes death.
- Falling objects: Falling objects are another danger that construction workers encounter. Accidents from falling objects occur when objects and debris are unsecured or improperly secured on construction sites.
- Electrocutions and Explosions: Construction sites may store fuel or other types of flammables, or have exposed cables and power lines. This can create dangerous situations, like electrocutions and explosions on construction sites.
- Machinery: Construction workers rely on a large variety of tools, heavy machinery such as cranes, excavation equipment, front loaders, or even forklifts to perform their jobs. Accidents due to faulty maintenance, improper training, or negligence can cause serious, even fatal injuries on construction sites.
- Cave-in or collapse; Underground construction projects can become deadly, crushing and trapping construction workers with debris and machinery if a cave-in occurs.
- Pedestrians who fall victim to construction-related accidents may have a claim against the parties involved.
Who Is Responsible?
Several parties can be liable for a construction accident; however, this varies on a case by case basis. Our attorneys at Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC. will review your accident and determine which parties are responsible for your injuries. New York State Labor Law offers a variety of protections to workers, which can be found here for your reference.
Usual parties include:
- Property and Construction site owners: Site owners, who do not actively participate in the construction process can still be held liable for falls and other accidents.
- General Contractors & Subcontractors: Contractors are responsible for training and hiring competent workers and ensuring the general safety for their employees through safety standards and other precautions. OSHA regulations establish that employers are obligated to provide a hazard-free workplace and ensure that employees have access to proper equipment and safety gear to prevent injuries and accidents from occurring. Subcontractors have the same responsibilities, within their specific site.
- Manufacturers: Equipment manufacturers and owners are responsible for providing safe and reliable tools for construction workers. Failure to do so can make them liable for injuries sustained while using those tools.
It is not always easy to identify the responsible parties after an accident occurs. Our lawyers At Halperin and Halperin P.C. will identify these liable and negligent parties to get you the compensation you deserve.
What Type Of Compensation Is Available?
Construction site owners, contractors, and subcontractors often maintain certain types of insurance to protect themselves and their employees. Some of the most common kinds of insurance include:
- Workers’ Compensation
- Employer’s Liability
- Commercial General Liability
- Property Liability
- Products Liability
Workers’ Compensation can pay your medical bills and replace some of your income. However, it’s only temporary and usually not enough to cover the full extent of your bills and lost wages. It may run out before you fully recover and return to work. Filing a lawsuit can help you seek additional reimbursement for your financial losses. Adequate compensation should pay for your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages during recovery, as well as your pain and suffering. Even after you recover, you may be limited in your mobility or capacity to do the same job. Our team of attorneys can help you seek compensation for these non-financial damages so that you can move forward as successfully as possible.
Steps To Take After A Construction Site Accident
Don’t wait to contact an experienced lawyer, as there is often a time limit. The Statute of Limitations in New York, for construction-related lawsuits, only extends three years. This means you only have three years from the date of your injury to file your claim. Our attorneys at Halperin, Halperin & Weiskopf, PLLC. can help you gather the appropriate materials so that you can make a strong claim in your case. Our construction accident attorneys have proven results in securing substantial settlements for our clients.
