New York Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction work is not only physically strenuous, it is also very dangerous. Construction injuries rate third in the country for work-related deaths. Sadly, 5 out of 100,000 construction workers will die in a work-related accident. Construction sites can be inherently dangerous. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established strict rules and regulations to ensure the safety of construction workers, these regulations are not always followed. As a result victims suffer serious injuries such as brain injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, head injuries, or even paralysis. If you have suffered a serious injury in a construction accident such as a scaffolding accident, contact an experienced New York construction accident lawyer who will work closely with you to make sure you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.

While there are many reasons that accidents occur at construction sites, some of the common types of construction accidents include: scaffolding accidents, slip and fall accidents, crane accidents, falling debris, trenches collapsing, and fire and explosions.

Constructions sites typically have heavy equipment, debris, uneven surfaces, chemicals, exposed wires, and fire hazards. This makes them inherently dangerous and is why New York labor law requires that employers follow state and federal safety regulations to ensure the safety of employees, contractors, vendors, and bystanders. To learn more about New York labor laws related to workplace and construction site safety, speak with an experienced New York construction accident lawyer.

Construction accidents can cause devastating injuries and even death. Injuries commonly seen at construction sites include burns, loss of limbs, electrocutions, cuts and abrasions, eye injuries, spinal cord and back injuries, paralysis, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and toxic exposure.

Victims of construction accidents are often construction workers. Generally, if an construction worker is injured while on the job, the accidents would be covered by workers compensation. Workers compensation benefits are limited. However, there are instances where the law allows workers or employees injured while working to file person injuries lawsuits that would entitle them to greater financial recovery. Discuss your workers compensation questions with an experienced construction accident attorney in New York.

If you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit you may be entitled to a number of types of compensation as follows:

• Medical Bills: Even if you have health insurance, if your injuries are serious, the bills may exceed insurance limits. A damage award would cover your past medical bills as well as your future medical bills.
• Loss of Income: If your injuries are so serious that you are unable to return to work right away, you can demand compensation for your lost wages as well as for loss of future earning capacity.
• Pain and Suffering: Courts will award victims compensation for pain and suffering based on their physical pain, their emotional suffering, and any permanent injuries such as scarring.
• Wrongful Death: If the victim does not survive their injuries, their estate and family members would have the right to file claims against the negligent party to recover damages.

• Ross v. Curtis-Palmer Hydro-Elec. Co., 81 N.Y.2d 494 (1993) - The court held that an owner of a construction site can be held liable for a construction worker's injury, even if the worker was employed by a separate contractor, if the owner had control over the job site and failed to provide a safe working environment.
• Sorlucco v. New York City Housing Auth., 9 N.Y.3d 766 (2007) - The court held that a plaintiff who was injured in a fall from a ladder while working at a construction site was entitled to recover damages against the owner of the construction site because the owner failed to provide a safe working environment.

If you have been hurt at a construction site, contact our legal team. These cases are complex and it is essential to have legal guidance to obtain the compensation you deserve. You may be able to collect compensation over and above the workers compensation award. If you have been injured, it is important you speak with an experienced construction accident attorney serving New York to ensure that your rights are protected. Stephen Bilkis & Associates has decades of experience representing clients who have been seriously injured in accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve clients in the following locations: Manhattan, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Nassau County, and Queens.