NYC Construction Accident Lawyer
Personal injury claims are common in NYC because there are so many building accidents every year. It is essential to know the basics of construction-related injuries and the kinds of accidents that usually happen on construction sites, whether you work in the field or are an employer. You can learn everything you need to know about NYC construction accident lawyer and the potential legal options available to accident victims.
The construction industry is crucial to the U.S. economy because it creates many jobs and increases the GDP by millions of dollars. The building business creates nearly $1.5 trillion worth of buildings every year, employing more than 7 million people. Also, there are more than 700,000 building companies in the United States right now. Of course, construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with 150,000 accidents happening every year.
What Does a NYC Construction Accident Lawyer Do?
A construction death lawyer is crucial to handling your case's complex legal issues. They will conduct investigations into general contractors, property owners, and equipment manufacturers to identify liable parties. They will also assess your injuries and damages to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Additionally, a skilled lawyer will represent you with the insurance company. Insurance companies try to reduce payouts or deny claims. An experienced construction accident lawyer will protect you from the insurer.
What kinds of construction accident cases do NYC accident lawyers take on?
Construction sites are naturally dangerous places to be. Our efficient lawyers are equipped to handle a wide range of construction accident situations, including:
- Accidents on Scaffolding: A fall from scaffolding can result in serious injuries. In order to find out if the proper safety steps were taken, we do thorough investigations.
- Crane accidents: When a crane malfunctions or collapses, it can result in severe injuries. In these complicated cases, our lawyers carefully find all the guilty people.
- Injuries from Falling Debris: When workers are hit by falling tools, materials, or debris, they often suffer severe head and neck injuries. We are resolute in holding negligent parties accountable.
- Electrical Shock Injuries: Electrocution and burns caused by faulty wiring or close-by power sources need a complete study to find out who is responsible.
- Cave-ins and collapses in trenches can cause crushing injuries or death by asphyxiation. We carefully checked to see if the proper safety rules and reinforcements were in place.
- Equipment Failures: Damage from broken or poorly maintained machinery can cause severe injuries to people. When we file claims, we target equipment manufacturers and site managers.
Construction accidents frequently result in significant injuries that permanently alter people's lives. Below are some of the most common injuries we find in these situations:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI);
Falls or hits with objects can result in TBIs that have long-term cognitive and physical consequences.
- Spinal Cord Trauma: Injury to the spinal cord can induce partial or full paralysis, drastically altering a victim's life trajectory.
- Bone fractures and breaks: Construction accidents can result in many fractures requiring substantial medical attention.
- Amputation Trauma: Crushing occurrences or machine breakdowns may require limb amputation, resulting in permanent impairment.
- Burn Trauma: Electrical mishaps, fires, and chemical exposure can all result in serious burns that have long-term repercussions.
- Respiratory ailments: Toxic chemicals and particles can cause chronic respiratory disorders that have a long-term influence on health.
Actions to Take Following a Construction Accident in NYC
Experiencing a construction accident can be disorienting. Here are crucial steps to take immediately after the incident:
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Your well-being is paramount. Undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation, even if injuries appear minor initially.
- Document the Incident: Inform your supervisor and ensure an official accident report is filed. This documentation is crucial for your claim.
- Capture Scene Evidence: If feasible, photograph the accident site, involved equipment, and visible injuries.
- Collect Witness Information: Obtain contact details from coworkers or bystanders who witnessed the accident.
- Exercise Discretion: Be cautious about your statements to anyone at the scene or to insurance representatives.
- Consult a Construction Accident Specialist: Contact Hofmann & Schweitzer promptly. We can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights.
Steps to take after a construction accident in NYC
A construction accident can be unsettling. Here are the crucial actions you should take immediately following the incident:
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: Your health is essential. Even if the injuries appear minor at first, get a thorough medical evaluation.
- Document the incident: Inform your supervisor and file an official accident report. This documentation is critical to your claim.
- Capture Scene Evidence: Photograph the accident location, equipment, and visible injuries to capture evidence.
- Exercise Discretion: Collect contact information from witnesses of the accident, such as coworkers or onlookers.
- Consult a Construction Accident Specialist: Maintain discretion while speaking with witnesses or insurance representatives.
To consult a construction accident specialist, contact Hofmann & Schweitzer right now. We can help you navigate the legal procedure and protect your rights.
Steps to Take Following a Construction Accident Lawyer in Nyc
A construction accident might be disturbing. Here are the critical steps you should take immediately after the incident:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Your health is critical. Even if the injuries appear minor at first, seek a complete medical examination.
- Document the incident: Inform your supervisor and fill out an official accident report. This material is crucial for your claim.
- Capture Scene Evidence: Photograph the accident site, equipment, and visible injuries to preserve evidence.
- Exercise discretion: Gather contact information from witnesses to the accident, such as coworkers or passersby.
- Consult a Construction Accident Specialist: Consult a construction accident specialist and maintain secrecy while interacting with witnesses or insurance officials.
Contact Hofmann & Schweitzer right away if you need help with a construction accident. We can guide you through the legal process and safeguard your rights.
How Can NYC Construction Accident lawyer Help You?
At Hofmann & Schweitzer Construction and Maritime Injury Advocates, we believe that every client deserves personalized attention and strong representation. When you choose our NYC accident specialists, you can trust us to:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation of your accident to determine all accountable parties.
- Collect persuasive evidence to build a strong argument on your behalf.
- Manage all discussions and agreements with the insurance providers.
- If a fair settlement is not possible, take your case to court.
- Keep you informed throughout the legal journey and promptly address your inquiries.
What types of damages may a NYC construction accident lawyer help you recover?
A construction accident has far-reaching implications beyond the injuries sustained. The injury can have serious emotional, physical, and financial ramifications for the construction worker and their family. It is difficult to estimate how a construction accident may affect you and your loved ones.
As a result, initiating a personal injury case against a negligent third party may be your best bet for recovering as much compensation as possible. Your New York construction accident lawyer can assist you in obtaining damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Reduction in future earning potential
- Physical Therapy
- Recovery expenditures
- Therapy or counselling treatments
- Loss of combination for loved ones left behind
How should an injured construction worker respond?
For any work-related injuries, you should see a doctor right away. If your injuries are severe, the emergency room will rush you there. You should see a doctor right away, even if your hurt does not seem too bad. If you fail to receive treatment for certain injuries, they may worsen to the point where they could potentially cause you to lose your job.
Often, a doctor will send you to a building site, and in some cases, the doctor himself will be present. Often, they do not have the testing tools they need to give a full evaluation. They may persuade you to speak while you are still in pain and unsure of the severity of your injury. The insurance company can use that information against you.
When you go to the doctor, some insurance companies will offer to send a nurse to "manage care." Since the insurance company bears the cost of these services, the nurse has an incentive to restrict the amount of expensive treatments you can receive. You should see a doctor you trust. If your accident is serious enough, you should go to the emergency room right away. The insurance company will not need to hear from you until you have a lawyer.
What are the most common causes of construction-related accidents?
Despite OSHA inspections, construction sites were responsible for three of the top 10 safety breaches in 2019. Failure to follow OSHA safety requirements frequently leads to avoidable construction site accidents. The following are some common causes of construction accidents:
- Collapsed constructions.
- Crane accidents
- Equipment malfunctions.
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Fires
- Forklifts
- Elevator accidents.
- Chemical Exposure
- Compressed Gases
- Cement and concrete burns
- Welding accidents
- Window washing
- Falls from elevators.
- Falls from ladders.
- Scaffolding accidents.
- Struck by falling objects or debris
- Inadequate training and improper tool use
- Demolition accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Slip and falls.
Disregarding safety requirements significantly increases the likelihood of one of these accidents.
Can I get financial compensation for a construction accident lawyer in NYC?
Although complicated, construction worker injury laws favor them. Anyone hurt on the job in New York can get the money they need to pay their medical bills and lost wages by either asking for workers' compensation or a personal injury lawsuit. This is the only way for many building workers to support their families after an accident. Please get in touch with us immediately if you sustained an injury at work.
What is the difference between workers' compensation and lawsuits for injuries?
You don't need to sue your boss to receive money in return. Indeed, New York law says you cannot sue your boss. You can instead file a workers' compensation claim or a case against a third party who was careless. Most of the time, going after both is the smartest thing to do. Getting workers' compensation does not mean you cannot file a case.
How do I get workers' compensation after an accident on the job?
Your boss is required to have workers' compensation insurance. It keeps both you and your boss safe. What is essential to understand about workers' compensation?
- You can get money for hospital bills and work losses.
- You do not need to show that your boss did something "wrong." Workers' compensation pays out even if there is no safety breach.
- Most of the time, employers will not fight a workers' compensation claim.
Getting workers' compensation will not put your job at risk. Your boss will not be responsible for anything. - Injured workers can get workers' compensation.
The first thing we need to do is make sure you have made a workers' compensation claim. This protects you regardless of whether you have a case.
How do I sue for injuries I got in a construction accident?
Most of the time, accidents in construction do not happen because someone breaks a safety rule. Anything from the absence of a sturdy, secure ladder to the use of scaffold belts with frayed ropes could cause an accident. It can also involve pressuring employees to work excessively quickly or in hazardous, challenging, or stressful environments. In the case of a work accident involving a violation, your injuries were caused by someone else's carelessness. This is the appropriate time to file a case.
Filing a case is crucial for the following three reasons:
- You cannot get money for pain and suffering through workers' compensation. You can only get this kind of money from a personal injury case.
- They may not always cover all your costs, mainly if your absence from work was due to workers' comp. Taking someone to court can help you get all the money you need.
- New York's most dangerous job is in the building business. If building companies do not take responsibility for injuries, they will not be able to improve safety for future workers.
This kind of claim is never against your boss; it is always against a third party who played a part in the events that led to the accident.
Who is accountable for a construction accident?
Although employers are immune from personal injury claims for construction accident injuries, New York Labor Law Section 200 allows for a case against a third party. These may include:
- Construction site owners
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Prime Contractors
- Equipment makers, merchants, and wholesalers
- Architects
Statute of Limitations for Construction Accidents
Once you’re injured on the job, the clock is ticking. You have a tight deadline to file your case. These deadlines are variable and can be very confusing:
- If you work for a municipal entity, you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim.
- If you work for a private entity, you have up to three years to file a lawsuit but should give notice much sooner.
- Workers’ comp must be filed within two years, but notice should be given much sooner.
If you wait to file a notice of a lawsuit, even within the three-year deadline, you may not get any money. The insurance company will attempt to “disclaim” it because of the time that has passed. For this reason, you must contact a construction accident lawyer as soon as possible to give you the best chance of recovering your rightful compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim for a Construction Accident?
As soon as you sustain an injury at work, time begins to elapse. You only have a short time to make your case. These due dates are subject to frequent changes and can be challenging to comprehend.
- You only have 90 days to file a notice of claim if you work for a city or town.
- If you work for a private company, you have up to three years to file a case, but you should do it much sooner.
- For workers' comp, you have two years to file, but you should give notice much sooner.
If you fail to file a notice of case in a timely manner, even after three years, you may not receive any money. Due to the passage of time, the insurance company may attempt to "disclaim" your case. So, you should talk to a building accident lawyer right away if you want to have the best chance of getting justice and compensation.
Contact a Leading New York Construction Accident Attorney Today
The bottom line is that you must look out for yourself and your family when injured on a construction job. Here we have represented injured workers for 30 years from all industries, including:
- Steamfitters
- Sandhogs
- Laborers
- Shop stewards
- Ironworkers
- Carpenters
- Mason tenders
- Tin knockers
Why do you need to hire a car crash lawyer in New York City?
Hiring a NYC building site accident lawyer is essential for many reasons. To begin, a lawyer with a lot of experience knows how complicated building accident cases can be and can expertly guide you through the legal maze.
To give you the best chance of getting fair compensation, they will gather proof, talk to engineers and architects, interview witnesses, and put together a strong case. They will also deal with insurance firms on your behalf, protecting your rights and the statute of limitations and making sure you get fair compensation.
What to Look for in a NYC Construction Accident Lawyer?
When selecting a construction injury law firm in New York City, choosing one with a proven track record in similar cases is crucial. An experienced construction accident law firm will manage your case effectively. Review their reputation and client testimonials to assess the firm's professionalism and satisfaction.
Also, choose an architect's injury lawyer who is quick and easy to get in touch with. Construction accident cases can be complicated, so it is important to keep everyone up to date and talk to them often. A lawyer who promptly responds to your inquiries and keeps you informed will instill confidence in their ability to effectively manage your case.
What kinds of building accidents happen most often in New York City?
Construction sites are naturally dangerous places where accidents can happen in many ways. These are some common types of building accidents in New York City, including construction site accidents.
- Falls from heights: One of the most common accidents in the construction business is a fall from a roof, scaffolding, or ladder, often referred to as a ladder accident.
- Object strikes: When tools, materials, or equipment fall on building sites, they can hurt workers.
- Electrocution: Construction workers are often near live lines or electrical equipment that doesn't work right, which can seriously hurt or kill them. This exposure increases the risk of electric shocks.
- Victims of 'caught in between' accidents: Heavy machines or objects can trap workers, crushing them or cutting off limbs.
- Cracks in the ground: When digging, the ground can give way and hide workers under a lot of dirt and rocks.
Learning about these typical mishaps might help construction workers identify building site hazards and protect themselves and their coworkers.
How do you respond to an injury on a construction site?
You should follow specific steps to protect your rights and make sure you get the money you deserve if you are hurt in a building accident. In the event of construction site accidents, it is essential to follow these steps:
- Seek medical help. The most important thing is your health and well-being. Get medical help immediately for your injuries, even if they don't seem serious.
- Report the accident: Tell your boss or company about what happened as soon as possible. This will make a formal record of what happened.
- Take pictures of your injuries, write down what happened at the accident scene, and get the contact information of anyone who saw what happened.
- Talk to an experienced construction accident lawyer. It would help if you talked to an experienced construction accident lawyer to determine your legal rights and options.
Start a workers' compensation claim: Your lawyer will help you start a workers' compensation claim and ensure you meet all the dates and requirements.
Keep the evidence: Your lawyer will help you get medical documents, accident reports, and witness statements to support your claim.
How to Make a Claim for Workers' Compensation?
Workers' compensation insurance will pay them if a worker gets injured on the job. If you've suffered construction injuries, you might be able to receive workers' compensation payments, which can help with medical bills, lost wages, and disability.
It can take time to understand and file a workers' compensation claim.Your construction accident lawyer must know workers' compensation laws and help you through the process. They will ensure you submit all paperwork, meet deadlines, and defend your rights.
Section 240 and What It Means in Cases of Construction Accidents
Section 240 of the New York Labor Law, the "scaffolding law," is crucial for workplace injury protection. Property owners and general builders are responsible for accidents, including falls from heights or falling objects, under the provisions of Labour Law 240.
Because of Section 240, property owners and general contractors are responsible for ensuring building workers are safe. If they don't give their workers the right safety gear and measures, they could be responsible for any harm or losses they face.
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