Construction sites are dangerous places to work. This is just a fact, but a construction site should be run the right way. The safety of employees and everyone else on the worksite is at stake. Unsafe construction sites are the responsibility of the owner of the premises and they are responsible for any failure to provide safety equipment such as scaffolds, ladders, eye protection, fall protection, harnesses, etc. Even if you are employed by a subcontractor the owner and the general contractor are still responsible to provide proper safety equipment.
An experienced New York City unsafe construction site lawyer knows how to investigate the facts of your case. The attorneys at Roth & Roth will seek the compensation you deserve as a result of your injuries. We know what you are going through. The pain, the time off of work, and the high costs of your medical bills can cause stress and anxiety. We know how to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Roth & Roth has been successfully representing individuals and families throughout the State of New York for over 25 years. If you or someone you know was injured or killed in New York due to someone else's wrongdoing, contact us to discuss your options. Initial consultations are always free and we never get paid unless and until you do.
There are a multitude of ways to get hurt on a construction site. These are hazardous places that are made even more dangerous by the negligence of others. Whether the accident is caused by another worker on the site, a third party, or even another employee, you could be owed substantial compensation. To win compensation, you need to prove how the accident was caused and who is to blame.
Common causes of unsafe construction site injuries often include:
- Falls from heights
- Unprotected and defective scaffolds
- Inadequate safety devices or the wrong type of safety device
- Missing safety equipment
- Improperly maintained machinery or tools
- Slip and fall accidents
- Electrical shock or exposure to dangerous chemicals
- Dropped tools or other equipment
- Improperly operated heavy machinery
- Crane accidents
- Hi-Los that tip over
- Improperly secured construction materials
- Openings in elevated work sites
- Failure to provide eye protection
- Any construction equipment that causes injury due to a falling from any height
- Negligence of other employees
These causes could be why you were injured, but many others could be the reason as well. No matter what, our attorneys are here to determine the cause of your construction site accident and help you seek compensation for them.
What compensation could I win for an unsafe construction site injury?
Unsafe construction sites are too common in New York City. Construction is happening all the time, and companies are often trying to meet crazy deadlines. To do this, they'll often cut corners, which impacts your safety. When they are the cause of your harm, you may be owed substantial financial compensation.
This might include damages like:
- Future and past medical bills and costs
- Compensation for lost income or earning capacity
- Costs for rehabilitation services
- Property damage you sustained
- Costs of any modifications or equipment because of a new disability
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Loss of companionship and support damages
- Wrongful death damages
These forms of compensation are designed to help you recover and get back to a normal life. When full recovery isn't possible, additional compensation may be available to help you with your permanent injuries.
What injuries are common in unsafe New York City construction site accidents?
You could face truly devastating injuries while on a construction site. The pain, disability, or long-term harm could be substantial and affect your life for years to come. Common injuries that occur on unsafe construction sites include, but are not limited to:
- Penetrating injuries and lacerations
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Loss of organs or organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries; concussions, memory loss
- Paralysis and spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and other skin damage
- Severe thermal, electrical, or chemical burns
- Fractures, broken bones, and crush damage
- Wrongful death
Is an unsafe construction site accident case a personal injury claim or a workers' compensation claim?
It’s usually both! Many workers injured at a construction site are confused about whether they are supposed to file under workers' comp or file a personal injury claim. When you get injured on the job at a construction site workers' compensation covers some of your lost wages and all of your medical bills. Workers' Compensation is considered a first-party benefit. In New York, in most instances, you cannot sue your employer. A personal injury claim is when you sue a third party for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc., such as against the owner of the premises or general contractor. Knowing who to sue and how to protect your rights is best left to a knowledgeable construction site accident attorney because the answer is: it depends.
To clarify if the accident happens while you're at work, the New York workers' compensation system will likely apply to your situation. This most often happens when you get hurt at work regardless of the reason. Under workers' comp, it doesn't matter who caused your harm. You are protected either way for both lost wages and medical expenses.
When the accident is caused by a lack of safety devices, a violation of the industrial code, or an otherwise unsafe work site you can also sue the owner of the premises or a contractor other than your employer and generally the principles of personal injury law apply.
What evidence will help prove my construction site accident claim?
Unsafe construction sites are dangerous but you still need evidence to prove why it was so dangerous. You will work with your attorney and their experienced team to collect evidence that may help prove your case. This evidence may include:
- Work incident reports on the construction site
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert evaluations and reports
- Data on your lost income and earning capacity because of the accident
- Insurance reports, costs, and other information
- Medical reports, invoices, and medical testimony about your injuries
- Employee personnel files
- Audio or video recordings of the unsafe construction site accident
The lawyers at Roth & Roth are ready and willing to speak with you about your case. We know how dangerous construction sites can be and how to represent your interests in fighting for compensation. Let us talk with you and learn more about the specific facts of your case.
Our dedicated New York unsafe construction site lawyers have what it takes to represent you properly. We help protect injured people like you so you can win the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for the help you need.