New York Scaffold Accident Lawyer
Scaffolds are found on nearly every construction site in New York — and while they are meant to help workers perform their jobs safely above ground, they can be extremely dangerous. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are approximately 4,500 injuries and 60 fatalities every year in the construction industry due to scaffold accidents. Critically, many of these occurrences could have been avoided by following New York State safety guidelines and OSHA regulations.
If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a construction site scaffold accident, you may be entitled to compensation. The New York City construction site accident attorneys at Dearie Law, Firm P.C. are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured construction workers and helping them obtain the highest verdict or settlement possible for their injuries.
Aggressive Advocacy for Workers Injured in New York Scaffold Accidents
A scaffold is a temporary structure that is constructed to allow workers to perform their tasks at heights. Depending on the needs of a particular construction project, various types of scaffolds may be used. Although these structures should provide workers with a safe means to do their work at substantial elevations, scaffold accidents are unfortunately not uncommon.
There are many causes of scaffold accidents, ranging from poor construction to improper safety training. Other reasons for scaffold accidents can include:
- Platform collapse
- Failure to provide adequate fall protection
- Contact with power lines
- Weight overload
- Lack of safety inspection
- Failure to maintain the scaffold
- Falling objects or debris
- Lack of guardrails
In addition to the federal OSHA regulations, New York has specific laws concerning construction worker safety when it comes to scaffolds. Specifically, Labor Law § 240(1) — also known as New York’s Scaffold Law —imposes liability on a contractor, owner, or another party for failing to provide adequate safety devices to prevent workers from falling or being struck by falling objects. Importantly, the Scaffold Law allows injured workers to recover damages beyond Workers’ Compensation benefits by bringing suit against a third-party who should be held accountable for the accident.
Our lawyers have comprehensive knowledge of the applicable labor laws and extensive experience successfully litigating cases involving scaffold accidents. From the initial investigation of your scaffold accident claim through trial, we develop a tailored strategy to help achieve the best possible results in your case — and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Committed Counsel Fighting to Maximize Your Compensation for Your Injuries
Scaffold accidents can occur in many different ways. However, since they often involve falls — sometimes from many stories high — the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. Workers who fall from a scaffold may sustain broken bones, fractures, internal bleeding, concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries, nerve damage, disfigurement, or permanent disability. Tragically, falls from heights are also one of the leading causes of construction site fatalities.
If you were injured in a scaffold accident, you might be entitled to recover for your economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. Although New York Workers’ Compensation Law bars you from suing your employer, there may be other parties on the construction site who may be liable for your injuries, including a contractor, subcontractor, owner, engineer, or architect.
Even if you received Workers’ Compensation benefits, you may be able to recover for your unreimbursed medical expenses, lost wages, future lost earnings, out-of-pocket expenses and pain and suffering if a third-party was negligent. Additionally, the surviving spouse and dependents of a construction worker who passed away due to a scaffold accident may be eligible to receive compensation in a wrongful death action to relieve the financial hardship they may be facing.
At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., we understand the economic and emotional impact of a scaffold accident and strive to take the burden off your shoulders. Our lawyers will walk with you through every step of the legal process and work diligently to obtain justice.
Contact a Proficient New York Scaffold Accident Lawyer
Scaffold accidents can be complex, and it’s crucial to have an attorney on your side who can safeguard your legal rights and secure the maximum monetary recovery available. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been representing injured workers in New York scaffold accidents for more than 30 years and is committed to achieving a successful outcome in every case.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has offices conveniently located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island in Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Contact us today for a consultation.