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 in and of themselves can be 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 a brain injury, neck injury, back injury, head injury, or even paralysis . If you have suffered a serious injury in a construction accident such as a scaffolding accident, contact an experienced Brooklyn construction accident attorney who will work closely with you to make sure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
Common causes for construction site accidentsWhile there are many reasons that accidents occur at construction sites, some of the common types of construction accidents include:
Injuries from a construction accident can be particularly severe, often resulting in long recovery times and permanent disabilities. As a result victims sometimes are never able to again return to work. Because construction sites are so dangerous, there are federal and state laws designed to protect workers. For example, under New York Labor Law sections 200, 240, and 241, employers must ensure that workers use proper safety equipment and are protected from falls and falling objects. If an employer fails to follow safety requirements then that employer would have been negligent and would be legally liable if someone is injured. However, liability may not be limited to employers. Other individuals or companies may share liability. For example, if an accident occurs because of defective equipment, the manufacturer or distributed of that equipment may be a least partially at fault.
Common construction site injuriesCrane accidents, slip and fall accidents, scaffold accidents and other types of construction accidents happen frequently and often leave serious injuries. In some cases the victim's injuries are fatal. Some of the most common injuries include broken bones, brain injuries, traumatic amputations, electrical burns, chemical burns, deep cuts and abrasions, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, exposure to toxin, hearing loss and eye injuries.
For example, Sam was seriously injured at a construction site when a pickup truck backed up into him, pinning him against a wall. Sam suffered internal abdominal injuries, cracked ribs, and a concussion.
Compensation for construction accident victimsVictims who are injured in construction accidents may be entitled to compensation from the person or entity whose negligence lead to the accident. Under New York law you can sue for compensation based on the medical bills related to your injuries. The medical bills may be extensive and your insurance may not cover all of your medical expenses. In addition, due to your injuries you may miss weeks, months or even longer periods of work. The negligent party may be required to compensate you for the paychecks you missed as well as loss of future earning capacity. Victims who suffer serious injuries in traumatic accident often suffer not only physically, but also emotional. Such victims can demand that the negligent party pay pain and suffering damages based on their physical pain, emotional suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Significant pain and suffering awards are often given to victims who suffering permanent injuries such as amputations, burns, and injuries that leave victims with other permanent impairments.
If the accident occurred in the workplace, the victim may have a claim for benefits under New York's workers' compensation rules. However, just because an accident is covered by workers' compensation insurance does not necessarily mean that the victim may not also be entitled to other compensation as well.
In cases where the victim dies from injuries suffered in the accident, the victim's personal representative may seek damages by filing a wrongful death claim.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesConstruction accidents occur far too often. Victims are left with physical, emotional and financial pain. New York law allows victims to seek compensation from those responsible for the accident. In order to ensure that your interests are protected and that you receive the maximum compensation based on the circumstances of your case, it is critical that you are represented by an attorney who has experience. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates have years of experience in representing clients injured in construction accidents and workplace accidents, including clients with workers' compensation claims. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Rockland County, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.