the law office of dennis p. ryan

Premises Liability Lawyer in New York: understanding CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENTS

Construction sites are some of the most dangerous places to work.

The workplace environment involves heights, which increases the chances of fall-related accidents. There's also exposure to dust, like silica (which scars the lungs), wood and gypsum dust (which cause asthma, nose cancer, and other persistent ENT problems), and large machinery and vibrating tools (the latter which causes Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAV). As you can see, the dangers and high risk of injury and illness are real and a large cause of concern. 

At Law Office of Dennis P. Ryan, our construction site accident attorneys understand these dangers and will identify the best legal options available to you and your family. Contact us at (212) 441-4352 to schedule a Free Consultation today. 

Construction Site Accidents in New York

When a Construction Worker is involved in an accident, he or she has the right to file claims for both Worker's Compensation and a Personal Injury lawsuit for Pain and Suffering. Worker's Comp will almost always be in place to cover medical bills and lost wages. Worker's Compensation does not cover a worker's Pain and Suffering. An injured Construction Worker can file a separate lawsuit to recover money for his or her pain and suffering. 

It is important for an injured Construction Worker to speak with a Construction Injury attorney as soon as possibleafter his or her accident. If you're injured or become ill as a result of a construction site accident or environment, speak to our firm so we can help you get your Worker's Compensation Claim processed so you can receive the medical treatment that you need and your wages paid.

Can I bring a lawsuit for my construction accident?

If you have been injured on a construction project you may have the right to bring a lawsuit against the owner of the project, the general contractor and other subcontractors. New York has strict Labor Laws that protect injured construction workers. These laws are very fact specific. Different sections of the law may apply depending on whether you fell from a height, tripped over something on the job site or were injured for another eason. 

In order to protect your rights, you should speak with an attorney who has the experience and knowledge to help you . IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING to dial (212) 441-4352 and speak to the Law Office of Dennis P. Ryan and find out what your legal rights are.

What if I am undocumented?

Many undocumented workers work in the construction industry. These workers often perform the most dangerous tasks on the jobsite. If you are an undocumented worker who was injured you are entitled to worker's compensation benefits. You also likely have the right to bring a personal injury lawsuit. Your status is protected and cannot be reported to the authorities. Your status will not prevent you from bringing a claim for your pain and suffering. It is in your best interest to contact the personal injury construction attorneys' at the Law Offices of Dennis P. Ryan

Common Causes of Construction Site Accidents in New York

Falls

Falling from a height, such as scaffolding or a ladder, is one of the most common causes of construction site accidents. They often occur as a result of poor safety precautions or failure to follow correct procedures. 

Electrocution

Electrocution injuries can happen on a construction site as a result of exposed wiring, downed power lines, or electrical currents when working with onsite machinery or tools.

Collapsed Structures

Design faults, unexpected conditions, excessive weights, or errors made during demolition can lead to collapsed structures. Collapsed structures put workers at risk of crush injuries or injuries caused by falling debris. crushing workers or injuring them by falling debris. 

Explosions or Fires

The materials commonly used on construction sites increase the risk of explosions and fires. Electrical faults or incidents involving chemical agents such as liquid petroleum gas or combustible liquids are common causes of construction site explosions or fires. 

Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

Construction sites potentially expose workers to toxic materials such as paint, solvents, heavy metals, air pollutants, and asbestos, especially on sites that mix or manufacture these chemicals. Employers must provide workers exposed to these chemicals with adequate personal protection equipment (PPE). 

Machinery Accidents

Construction sites almost always involve the use of heavy machinery or specialized equipment such as power tools, cranes, forklifts, and conveyor belts. Machinery accidents can occur due to a defect or improper use, injuring workers. 

Common Construction Site Injuries in New York

Common construction site injuries include:

  • Broken bones or fractures, for example, as a result of falls

  • Burns from explosions or fires

  • Back or spinal cord injuries due to falls or crush injuries

  • Eye injuries

  • Loss of hearing

  • Head or traumatic brain injuries as a result of falls or falling debris

In certain circumstances, construction site accidents can also result in death.

What Should You Do After Injuring Yourself in a Construction Site Accident? 

If you have been injured while working at a construction site, there are steps you should take to protect your interests and rights. 

  1. Report the accident and injury.

  2. Get medical attention as soon as possible.

  3. Follow any care plan exactly as it is provided.

  4. Gather evidence, like photographs, video, and witness statements, and maintain a diary outlining the accident in detail and how the injury has impacted your day-to-day life.

  5. Contact a construction site attorney.

Your future is dependent on the help you get after a construction site accident in New York. 

Contact a Construction Site Accident Attorney in New York Today 

If you have suffered an injury or illness caused by an accident at a construction site, getting adequate and just compensation will make the difference in your recovery. There are time limits restricting how long you have to act. Contact our construction site accident lawyer in New York today to schedule a Free Consultation.

need a lawyer you can count on?

talk to the team at Law Office of Dennis P. Ryan

call us today (212) 441-4352

recent results

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recent results |

  • The Law Office of Dennis P. Ryan was able to win an important motion to allow a Department of Sanitation Supervisor to bring a Personal Injury Claim against the City of New York. Anyone who plans to sue a municipality in the State of New York, must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the date of the accident. A New York City Sanitation Supervisor recently contacted our law firm 5 months after the accident, and more than 2 months after the Notice of Deadline had passed. Our office was successfully able to convince the Court that our client's claim fell under an exception and should be allowed to proceed. Our client is now likely going to be able to receive money for his pain pain and suffering and lost wages.

  • Our client was a Sanitation Worker who was hit by a car while he was servicing his route. He suffered an ankle injury that required him to go for Physical Therapy for 1-2 months. Even though he did not need any injections or surgery, we were able to convince the insurance company to offer the full amount of its $25,000 to settle the case. We were able to achieve this settlement before our client needed to appear for a deposition.

  • Our client was a Sanitation Worker who was hit by a car while he was servicing his route. He had to have a shoulder surgery and missed several months of work, losing Chart Money, Truck Money and Overtime Money. We filed a lawsuit on his behalf in Kings County (Brooklyn). Our office was able to settle case for the full amount of the driver's Insurance Policy. We were able to achieve this settlement before our client needed to appear for a deposition.

  • Our office was able to settle a case for the full amount of Insurance Policy for Pedestrian who tripped and fell on sidewalk in Nassau County. This was a tough case in a tough venue for Plaintiff's attorneys. Our client had contacted 2 previous law firms who declined her case because they thought it would be too difficult to obtain a settlement. Our office was not only able to settle the case but we were able to persuade the insurance company to offer the full amount of its insurance policy to settle the case.

  • Our office was able to obtain a settlement for $95,000 (out of a total of $100,000) for a Sanitation Supervisor who hurt his ankle in a car crash. The insurance company for the other driver made several motions to the court asking the Judge to dismiss the case. We were able to defeat each of these motions and eventually settle the case for $95,000. This was more than 3 times the initial settlement offer that the insurance company made.

  • Our client fell on a broken sidewalk in the Bronx in front of a 1 family house. We brought a lawsuit against the City of New York and the insurance company for the homeowner. Our client aggravated injuries to his ankle that he had suffered years ago while playing sports. The Insurance Company made a Motion to the Court asking to dismiss our case. We were able to defeat this Motion and we were eventually able to settle this case against the City of New York and the Insurance Company for a total of $75,000.

  • Our office was able to obtain a settlement of $97,500 out of a possible $100,000 in available insurance coverage for a Car Crash that happened in New Jersey. Our client was involved in a 2 car crash. She had a stop sign and the other driver did not have a stop sign. For that reason, the insurance company claimed that the crash was completely the fault of our client. Our firm hired investigators who canvassed the scene for witnesses, photos and videos of the crash. We were able to prove that the other driver was driving too fast for the intersection and was also at fault for the crash.

  • Our office was able to obtain a settlement of $170,000 for a woman who slipped and fell on ice on the stairs of the house that she rented an apartment at. Her landlord's insurance company argued that the landlord had done everything it could to prevent our client's fall. We were able to prove that the landlord had not properly shoveled and salted the steps before our client's fall.

  • Our Office settled a case for a Sanitation Worker who tripped and fell on uneven pavement inside his Sanitation Garage and hurt his ankle. The Worker had several prior Line of Duty Injuries (LODIs) where he had also hurt his ankle. Our office was able to prove that this LODI aggravated the old injuries and made the injuries worse.