Back in April this year, a construction worker, who was working on the façade of the Dream Hotel near Broadway, fell 80 feet to his death through an area of unprotected scaffolding where some planks had been removed. Witnesses at the time said they had often seen workers on the scaffolding without any safety equipment, and had expressed concerns that adequate precautions were not being observed. The Department of Buildings, after issuing a full stop work order to the construction firm, then issued a violation for failure to safeguard persons or property affected by construction operations.
By their very nature, construction sites are inherently dangerous places, whether on the ground or in the air. Should you have the misfortune be involved in an accident on-site, a construction accident attorney will be able to help you claim the compensation you deserve.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2010, almost half of the falls resulting in death in NYC were in the construction industry. In 2011, laborers made up the largest proportion of workplace injuries across the US. The hazards of construction sites are legion;
- falls from scaffolding, roofs, and ladders, through damaged floors, or because of broken safety equipment etc.
- falling debris, materials, tools, or even in some cases, buildings themselves
- malfunctioning power tools
- exposure to hazardous chemicals causing respiratory issues, chemical burns, cardiac problems, etc.
- vehicle or heavy plant accidents
- electrocution
- gas leaks
- welding burns
- explosions and fires
- broken bones from falls or slips
… to name but a few.
According to the Scaffold Law (NYS Labor Law sections 240/241), the onus is on construction firms to ensure the safety of its workers, and while New York makes sure that employers pay compensation to injured employees, it is essential that you understand what is and is not covered by workers’ compensation laws by speaking to your union representative.
Regrettably however, often the workers’ compensation benefits are nowhere near adequate, and this is where our New York construction injury attorneys are able to help. One of our expert construction accident lawyers will be able to guide you through the process of making a claim for a more substantial settlement.
In 2012, over half of the largest work-related accident settlements were secured by New York construction accident lawyers
If you are the victim of an accident on a construction site in New York, or have lost a loved one to an accident, you’ll need a construction accident attorney to help you file an injury or wrongful death claim. We at Antin, Ehrlich, and Epstein LLP, Attorneys at Law, have over 75 years’ experience between us, and will be with you every step of the way to guide you through this difficult process
While we cannot return your family member to you, our dedicated construction site accident lawyers can help you through this difficult time, to get proper recompense as befits the injuries, pain, medical expenses, and loss of earnings you have suffered.
Call our New York construction injury lawyers today on 917-730-7151, to arrange a free consultation to see how we at Antin, Ehrlich, and Epstein LLP can help you.
*According to nydailynews.com