New York Construction Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident, a New York construction accident lawyer may be able to help you collect damages for your injuries. The attorneys at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C. understand that taking legal action is often the only way for an injured worker to receive the compensation they deserve.
Fatal Construction Accidents Statistics
Jobs in the construction industry are some of the most dangerous in the US. Tragically, there are also a high number of fatal construction accidents. In 2015, one in five worker fatalities were in the construction industry. According to statistics from the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), of the 4,379 workers killed in the U.S., 937 of them were construction accidents.
OSHA classifies the top four reasons for fatal construction accidents as the “Fatal Four.” The Fatal Four categories were the cause of 65 percent of accidents which killed construction workers. Almost 40 percent of those fatalities were caused by falls. This was followed by struck by an object, electrocutions, and workers becoming caught in or between something.
The Danger of Construction Sites
OSHA statistics also reveal that more than 180,000 U.S. construction workers are hurt on the job. Construction worksites are dangerous and often lead to serious injuries. Many of these serious injuries happen because the employer, property owner, or other party failed to address and correct an unsafe or dangerous work condition. A New York construction accident lawyer has successfully represented many clients who have suffered serious injuries because of another party’s negligence.
If you were injured while working in construction, you could be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits to help pay your lost wages and medical bills.
Even if you are an undocumented worker, you are entitled to benefits under New York law.
Accidents Covered by Workers’ Compensation
If you are a construction worker, you face real risks every day. Common accidents that can lead to workers’ compensation claims are:
- Falling objects
- Falls from heights
- Caught between/under accidents (when workers are pinned by objects)
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Forklift accidents
- Crane accidents
- Welding accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Fires or explosions
- Chemical exposure
How Do These Accidents Happen?
Constructions accidents can have many causes, including:
- Inadequate worker training
- Ineffective guardrails, scaffolding or safety devices
- Problems with electrical wiring
- Unmarked hazards
- Poorly maintained worksites
If you’re hurt at work, then you are entitled to workers’ comp. However, if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, were breaking the law, started a fight, or if you intentionally hurt yourself, your injury might not be covered.
Injuries Covered by Workers’ Compensation
In many cases, workers’ comp can help if you suffer from:
- Head injuries (such as from falling debris)
- Back injuries (like from lifting heavy objects)
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries (like from working on sloped surfaces)
- Broken bones
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Joint pain
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Lost limbs
- Spinal injuries
- Brain damage
Benefits may even help cover anxiety and depression, if you can be prove your work caused those problems. If you’re not sure whether your injury or illness is covered, ask us.
How Workers’ Compensation Can Help You
Construction accidents are stressful enough without having to worry about costly bills and lost earnings. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be facing a long and painful recovery and rehabilitation period. There are also many cases where an injured worker is unable to go back to the job he or she was doing before the accident, which leaves injured workers worried about what their future will be if they are unable to work.
If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to the following workers’ compensation benefits:
- Medical bills
- Prescription costs
- Physical therapy bills
- Vocational rehab
- Incidental costs (such as for bandages, crutches or mileage to and from your doctor visits)
- Lost earnings
What to Do If You’re Injured
After any workplace accident it is important to put your safety first. Make sure you seek medical help right away.
It is also important to notify your employer of your accident so they can conduct an accident investigation. This will be important during your workers’ compensation claim process.
After you have notified your employer, it is likely in your best interest to quickly consult with a New York construction accident lawyer who can help expedite your workers’ compensation claim. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to drag their feet in processing an injury claim. This type of delay could place unnecessary stress on an injured worker and their family. Your attorney can assist in ensuring that you receive whatever benefits you may be entitled to.
Can You Sue?
If you are awarded workers’ compensation, you generally cannot sue your boss. There are some instances where you may be able to file an additional personal injury lawsuit. This can happen if someone besides your employer was negligent and contributed to your injury.
For example, if a subcontractor set up the scaffolding at your job site and you were hurt while falling from the scaffolding because it malfunctioned: In this case, the scaffolding company could be liable for your injuries.
Contact Our New York Construction Accident Lawyer
But every workers’ compensation case is different, so talking to a workers’ compensation lawyer could be helpful for seeing what your options are.
A New York Construction Accident Lawyer Advocating for Injured Workers
If you have been injured on a construction site, it may be beneficial to speak with a skilled construction accident lawyer in New York. The attorneys at Polsky, Shouldice & Rosen, P.C are available to discuss what your legal options may be during a complimentary case evaluation.
Workplace injuries are stressful enough without having to worry about filing your workers’ compensation claim. We’re here to help take the stress out of your claim and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Our firm practices only New York workers’ compensation law, and we have done so for over 30 years. For your free case review, call us today to schedule an appointment with a seasoned New York construction accident lawyer.
Client Review
“Polsky , Shouldice and Rosen is a competent law practice that delivers results. The office is always clean and inviting, and the staff is pleasant. They have parking in the back which makes things that much easier. I was lucky enough to have Adam L Rosen represent me in a workers compensation case. Adam Rosen is a pleasant, down to earth and respectful individual. As for my case, he and his staff took care of everything, kept me informed and made the experience stress free along the way. Most importantly, he and his law firm delivered a relatively good result. I hope this review helps someone looking for a good lawyer.”
Bigbang Jama
