Manhattan Construction Accident

As construction sites are inherently dangerous, it is not a surprise that accidents at construction sites occur frequently. Construction accidents tend to leave victims with serious injuries, or are fatal. In fact, one source estimate that out of every 100,000 construction accidents, five victims will die from their injuries. Serious injuries include brain injuries such as concussions, spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis, and broken bones. In most cases, if proper safety precautions were followed, the accident would not have occurred. If you were injured in a construction accident because some else was negligent, it is important that you immediately speak with a Manhattan construction accident lawyer as you may be entitled to receive compensation for your financial losses, as well as non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

Because construction work involves the use of heavy equipment, power tools, and chemicals, and because work often occurs at high elevations and on temporary structures, construction sites are inherently unsafe. Because of this it imperative that workers, supervisors and business owners follow the safety regulations issued by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The unfortunate reality is that far too often safety rules are not followed and as a result workers and bystanders are frequently injured. Common injuries at construction sites include:

1. Falls. Construction workers in Manhattan frequently work on scaffolds, on tall buildings and use cranes, where there is a risk of a fall from a high elevation. Falls from high elevations leave victims with catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord trauma or brain injuries.
2. Electrocution. There are often exposed, live wires at construction sites, leading to serious, sometimes fatal electrical burns.
3. Fires and explosions. Construction sites have can have chemicals, gases and other types of flammable materials, as well as motorized equipment. If not handled properly, such substances can burst into flames, injuring workers.
4. Occupational illnesses. There are a variety of injuries and illnesses that construction workers are susceptible to at jobsites including hearing loss, vision loss, back strain, and chemical poisoning.

If you are working at a construction site and suffer an injury, it is likely that the accident s covered by workers' compensation. This means that after filing a claim, you will receive medical care paid for by workers' compensation as well as cash benefit based on the severity of your injury and you average weekly earnings.

Because of the restrictions provided by workers' compensation regulations, in most cases victims who are entitled to workers' compensation are prohibited from also pursuing a negligence claim against the employer. However, there are a few narrow circumstances where a victim of a construction accident does have the right to pursue damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Compensable losses may include:

• Medical expenses: Medical expenses related to treating your injury. This is includes both past and future expenses, including hospital, diagnostic, medical, and physical therapy fees. It is critical to demand both past and future expenses, as many serious injuries require treatment for months or even years into the future.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you have the right to demand compensation for the wages and other compensation that you otherwise would have received.
• Pain and suffering. This includes damages for physical pain and mental suffering associated with permanent injuries such as chronic migraines and permanent disfigurement.

If you have been hurt at a construction site, you may be eligible to receive compensation through a personal injury claim or through workers' compensation. However, to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled, it is important that you are represented by attorney who understands the complexities of personal injury law and workers' compensation law. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates is experienced in representing clients who have been injured in construction accidents, as well as in other types of accidents. 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, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.