New York Construction Accident Lawyers

Thousands of construction workers suffer serious injuries or lose their lives due to construction accidents each year. In New York City, accidents are particularly prevalent with the plethora of new building construction and renovations. Unfortunately, injured construction workers are commonplace.

When construction accidents happen, injured workers are entitled to workers compensation benefits. Unfortunately, the process often becomes contentious with the employer and insurance company looking to minimize the benefits in a workers compensation claim.

In addition, a construction worker may be entitled to more than what workers compensation benefits provide, mainly when the personal injury is due to a fall from heights (more on that later).

Call Ronemus & Vilensky, LLP, the New York City premier construction accident attorney, to help you obtain proper compensation for your injury.

What Are Some Common Injuries on New York Construction Sites?

Workers at a construction site face numerous health and safety risks. They can be injured in many ways, as their projects often involve working at great heights and using ladders and scaffolding. Some of the most common causes of construction-related injuries include:

• Slip and fall injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Musculoskeletal/joint injuries
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Exposure to hazardous chemicals
• Smoke inhalation
• Electrocutions

Construction Sector: A High-Hazard Industry

In 2020, 1,008 construction industry workers were killed in construction accidents, representing 21% of all fatal occupational injuries for that year, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has rated the construction trades (general contractors, artisans, tradespeople) and the sector as one of the most hazardous industries in the United States.

Fatal Four Hazards: Types of Construction Site Accident Injuries

OSHA has identified the following four leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry:

• Falls — workers falling from scaffolding, equipment, and elevated structures
• Struck By — being injured by falling objects, swinging equipment, debris, or vehicles
• Caught In/Between — injuries resulting from becoming trapped between two vehicles, getting snagged by equipment, or catching on materials used on the construction site
• Electrocutions — resulting from loose or bare wires, faulty equipment, and moisture in close contact with electrical systems.

What Happens When a Construction Worker is Injured?

NYC construction accident injuries can have serious and life-changing consequences for workers and their families. Sometimes, a construction worker may require little or no medical treatment in everyday accidents. In other cases, an injury victim may experience severe pain and damage and be unable to work, lose wages, and require extensive medical care and ongoing physical therapy and rehabilitation. In catastrophic accidents, workers may become temporarily or permanently disabled.

In the worst construction site injury cases, workers lose their lives, leaving family members behind to pick up the pieces. Construction workers who die from work-related accidents leave loved ones behind who lose their financial support and may experience hardship. They may also have to pay for death expenses, such as funerals.

Beyond Workers Compensation: NY Labor Laws for Construction Sites

With construction workers a vital part of the NYC economy, New York Labor Laws have been established to protect them. Not only are injured construction workers entitled to workers compensation benefits, but in some cases, they can also pursue a personal injury lawsuit for a construction accident case.

New York Labor Laws require construction site property owners and managers to provide reasonable and adequate protection for the safety of workers. If injuries arise from the employer’s actions, inaction, or negligence or a third party, the injured worker can pursue litigation.

New York Labor Law Section 240

New York Labor Law Section 240 (also known as the “Scaffold Law”) provides construction workers with solid legal protection regarding compensation for injuries incurred from falls on the job. Work must be performed on a structure, legally defined as a building but can also include boats, bridges, garages, subway tunnels, and water towers. The construction company (GC) and property owners are responsible for providing fall protection equipment and safety measures to protect workers. That includes scaffolding, ladders, slings, hoists, hangers, pulleys, ropes, and stays, among other things.

If a worker is injured on the job and the property owner or construction company is found to be at fault, the Scaffold Law may entitle the worker to additional compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost union benefits, lost wages, and other damages. If a construction worker is killed on the job, their surviving family members may be eligible for benefits. In both cases, individuals typically have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit.

New York Labor Law Section 200

Labor Law Section 200, also known as Common Law Negligence, requires construction company owners and property owners to take reasonable precautions to provide a safe working environment. This means that all equipment, machinery, and other devices must be operated and placed and guarded in a safe manner to provide construction workers with reasonable protection.

Have You Been Injured in a New York City Construction Site Accident?

You may have a legal claim if you have been injured on a construction site in NYC. An experienced New York construction accident attorney can help you determine if you have a personal injury case and whether you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries in addition to benefits under workers compensation insurance.

Construction accident attorneys can help you file a workers comp claim, defend you in court in case of a personal injury lawsuit, advise you of your rights, and provide free consultation, support, and guidance throughout your case.

Contact Ronemus & Vilensky: Experience Assisting Construction Workers

Ronemus & Vilensky is regarded as the leading New York construction accident lawyer in the greater metro region, with workers compensation as one of our principal practice areas. Our firm has helped thousands of personal injury victims, taking on construction accident cases involving those falling victim to construction site accidents.

Our team of New York City construction accident lawyers at Ronemus & Vilensky has also represented many workers who, because they are undocumented, have had their legal rights compromised by unethical employers who have subjected undocumented workers to unsafe working conditions to save money.

Ronemus & Vilensky, as an expert construction accident lawyer, has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured construction workers to cover medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Our excellent experience and track record provide clients with peace of mind that we can work toward delivering an optimum resolution for those involved in an accident on a job site, including recovering lost wages for a construction worker and in a wrongful death case.

Contact us today to learn about your rights if you or a family member has had a construction injury. One of our knowledgeable attorneys will advise you on what you need to know for the best course of action. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. We have helped injured construction employees obtain the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to discuss your case.

Contact Us for a construction worker FREE CASE EVALUATION if you’ve been injured at a construction site. We will review your construction accident case. Each of our accident cases is taken on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.