Construction sites are high-risk locations. Due to the nature of the work performed, and the heavy machinery, vehicles, and tools and equipment used to perform it, hazardous conditions are common. Nonetheless, if you have been seriously injured in a construction accident due to someone else’s negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Kohan Law Group in Manhasset will fight aggressively to provide you with the meaningful compensation you deserve so you can restart your life and secure your future.
At this moment, you are no doubt overwhelmed by physical and emotional trauma, not to mention the financial stress brought on by high medical costs and loss of income. This is the time to turn to our construction accident attorneys. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims like you and have an impressive track record of successful outcomes.
If you are located on Long Island or in the five boroughs of New York City, contact us today to discuss your legal options. Your initial consultation will be free and we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win your case.
Types of Construction Accidents
OSHA pinpoints four major types of construction accidents, categorized by their frequency and severity:
- Falls which involve both slips and falls due to rocky, uneven ground, holes or obstacles, and falls from heights, such as scaffolding, ladders, or elevated work platforms.
- Struck-by accidents in which workers are hit by falling objects, swinging equipment, or moving vehicles.
- Electrocutions caused by contact with live wires or malfunctioning electrical equipment.
- Caught-in-between accidents in which victims are trapped or crushed, for example, between a vehicle and a wall or between two pieces of equipment.
Other types of construction accidents include trench collapses, cave-ins, machinery malfunctions, and fires and explosions caused by mishandled flammable materials or faulty wiring.
Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents
The injuries caused by construction accidents are too often catastrophic or even fatal. Resulting life-altering injuries may include:
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Electrical shocks and burns
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Lacerations, deep bruises
- Spinal cord injuries (paralysis)
- Breathing difficulties due to exposure to heavy dust, carbon monoxide, or toxic chemicals
- Hearing or vision loss
Wrongful Death Due to Construction Accidents
In the most tragic cases, construction accidents may result in wrongful death. If you have sustained such an unbearable loss, our attorneys know that we can never assuage your grief, but we will fight tooth and nail to see to it that you receive every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Determining Who Is Accountable for Your Losses
Assigning blame in construction accidents is a complex task since more than one party may have been negligent and finger-pointing is likely. Don’t worry, though, because our lawyers are familiar with construction accidents and will investigate thoroughly to determine fault among:
- Construction site owners
- General and sub-contractors
- Manufacturers of construction machinery, earth-moving vehicles or equipment
- Architects and engineers
- Inspection firms
You can count on our attorneys to target the responsible party who produced a defective product, designed a faulty structure, failed to correctly inspect a piece of equipment, or did not maintain a safe working environment.
Why NY Labor Law 240 Is Important to Construction Accident Law
Because the most common construction accidents involve falls, Labor Law 240, known as the “Scaffold Law,” is central to construction accident cases. This statute mandates that employers and property owners provide necessary equipment, like scaffolding, hoists, ladders, and other safety devices, to ensure the safety of workers operating at a height. This law is enforced as a deterrent to negligence among construction companies and contractors.
Labor Law 240 states unequivocally that if these provisions are not met and an injury occurs as a result, the employer or owner can be held liable and so is invaluable in construction accidents involving falls from heights.
It should be noted that NY Labor Law 240 holds property owners and contractors “strictly liable,” meaning that even if the worker was partly at fault for the accident, the defendant will still be held fully liable. There is, however, an exception to the law for owners of one- and two-family homes who are not held liable unless they themselves were controlling construction on their home.
Why You Need An Experienced New York Construction Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you are allowed to collect workers’ compensation benefits, which cover all medical costs and partial wage replacement, regardless of who was at fault for the accident.
However, workers’ compensation does not cover pain and suffering and may not provide for all of your future medical needs if you require long-term care. Talk to one of our experienced, knowledgeable lawyers. Though you cannot sue your employer while receiving workers’ comp, if a third party, such as a manufacturer, property owner, or subcontractor is to blame, you can sue them.
We will explain how this all works at your initial consultation. Once we understand the parameters of your cases, you can depend on us to:
- Carefully investigate police records, medical reports, forensic evidence
- Identify and interview witnesses
- Check any history of negligence on the part of the defendant
- Consult with relevant experts (medical or technical) who will testify on your behalf
Above all, we will negotiate forcefully with opposing counsel and insurance adjusters and,
if necessary, we will take your case to court to pursue maximum damages.
Contact Our Powerful Construction Accident Attorneys Today
Once you become a client of Kohan Law Group, winning damages will be our top priority. We will fight fiercely to recover the resources you need now and in the future for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and any other expenses related to your injuries. Call us now so we can put your needs front and center.