Bronx Construction Accident Lawyers

The construction industry is admittedly one of the most dangerous lines of work anyone can pursue. Workers’ compensation benefits may provide critical financial support to injured workers or surviving family members. Injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, spinal injuries, and even brain injuries can occur on a job site. If you’ve been injured – or if you’ve lost a loved one – in a building accident, speak at once to our experienced Bronx construction accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Thomas J. Lavin. Our Bronx construction accident attorneys will guide injured construction workers through the complicated workers’ compensation process, and if you have any difficulty obtaining benefits, we will fight aggressively for the compensation that is rightfully yours.

What Types of Construction Accidents Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me With?

With three decades of experience representing injured construction workers, we often find that workers’ compensation is insufficient or barely sufficient to cover the real costs of building injuries. In addition to workers’ compensation, in some cases, you may be eligible to file a third-party personal injury claim if someone other than your employer was partially responsible for your injury. Those who might be targeted by a third-party construction accident claims include defective equipment manufacturers, negligent contractors, negligent machinery or motor vehicle operators, property owners, or anyone else partially responsible for your losses.

Common safety violations that cause construction accidents include:

Failure to provide adequate training
Failure to keep a worksite hazard-free
Poorly constructed guard rails, scaffolding, or stairs
Inadequate protection from electrical wires and equipment
Failure to warn employees of known hazards
Improper use of (or failure to use) equipment including safety equipment

Regulations and NY labor law are put in place to protect construction workers from suffering construction accident injuries. These health and safety violations can cause serious construction accidents including:

Crane accidents
Dumpster accidents
Electrical accidents
Chemical accidents
Elevator accidents
Compressor accidents
Gas explosions
Falling objects mishaps
Nail gun accidents

If you have been injured in any of these types of mishaps, you should consider filing for a construction accident injury claim with the help of our New York law firm as soon as possible. We have represented many injured construction workers in Bronx, New York, and New York state, and have the experience and knowledge needed to not only help you file a lawsuit but assist you every step of the way.

Construction Accident cases can be difficult and stressful to tackle on your own. Contact our legal team today to speak with the Bronx construction accident lawyer you need to get the most out of your unfortunate construction accident injury

Why Should I File a Personal Injury Claim Following my Construction Accident Injury?

If you have been injured on a worksite of a building project, chances are, you know you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits that can assist you in recovering from the damages you have suffered. However, there are many times where workers’ compensation does not cover the number of damages you have suffered.

In general, it is possible that you are not eligible to file a construction accident claims if you file for workers’ compensation unless a third party was responsible for causing your construction site accident. Speak to our Bronx, New York construction site accident lawyers to clear up your situation and get the tailored help you need to navigate towards a successful recovery.

Each construction accident case is different, so it’s critical to consult with a Bronx construction accident lawyer before making a decision on your next steps. Not all New York City injury lawyers can provide you with the service and representation needed to recoup financial damages for your construction site accident. Our law firm offers free consultations for our prospective clients to give them peace of mind about their potential construction accident case prior to making a final commitment.

What Damages Can I Recover with the Help of a Bronx Construction Accident Attorney?

A typical construction worker can often find themselves suffering from serious injuries following a job-site accident. These injuries can cause a handful of other serious issues that may need your immediate attention. Taking care of yourself after being injured on a job site in New York City can be one of the most important things you can do. However, paying for medical bills out of your own pocket, even though your condition is no fault of your own, can be detrimental to your finances.

Lost wages from missing shifts at work can also set you and your family back on other expenses you need to live. You can seek compensation for those damages and more, including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and even wrongful death. Successfully proving damages like medical bills or wrongful death can lead to getting the most compensation possible for your case. Hiring a New York City construction accident lawyer may give you an edge when it comes to getting the most in return for your injuries.

Our team of lawyers can represent you when it comes time to negotiate a settlement with insurance companies. Insurance companies often use tactics geared towards buying them time and minimizing the damages they need to pay, leading to low settlement offers on their end. We can protect you from such offers to ensure you get paid what you deserve for your injuries. When workers’ compensation does not provide adequate protection and financial flexibility for your family, a Bronx construction accident lawyer can get you the results you desire for your case.

What Types of Accidents Are Common in the Construction Industry?

Myriad types of accidents happen in the construction industry. In fact, the construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that at least 20% of all workplace injuries happen on construction sites.

This is not a definitive list, but it covers the most commonly reported Bronx construction accident that lead to injuries or death.

Falls. OSHA named this the #1 type of construction accident injuries in 2021. Employers should provide employees with fall protection, including protective guardrails when possible and well-fitted tethered safety harnesses. When those are lacking, injuries can be severe.
Electrocutions. This is another major category for workplace injuries, according to OSHA. It often happens because of incorrect use of extension cords, faulty wiring, damaged equipment or tools, or contact with overhead power lines. The best prevention for this is routine daily inspections of all electrical equipment and using OSHA’s Assured Equipment Ground Conductor Program.
Struck-by or caught-between accidents. In a struck-by accident, a construction worker is hit by something flying, falling, swinging, or rolling. In a caught-between accident, a worker is caught between two objects. Both of these conditions can lead to severe construction accident injuries and death. Workers should have high-visibility clothing to make them easily visible to others, and employers should ensure all machinery is regularly inspected and in good working order.
Road construction. OSHA reports that the majority of deaths that happen in road construction zones are because a construction worker is hit either by construction equipment or another driver. Road construction projects should have detailed traffic management plans, workers should be provided high-visibility clothing, and items such as cones and barriers in high-visibility colors should be amply distributed.
Construction equipment. Crane and forklift accidents are common. Cranes should always be inspected before use, and operators should be specially trained in lifting and moving materials. Other workers should be trained in being safe around cranes, including not walking under them when loaded and avoiding its swing path. Forklift users should be trained on the safe use of this machinery and should be required to wear seat belts. Other workers should be frequently reminded to stay out of the forklift’s way when it’s in operation.
Chemicals and toxins. Exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins can happen in many areas. In the construction industry, it’s most likely to happen when workers work in an area where lead, PVC, heavy metals, and asbestos are present. Those are not the only toxins, but they’re among the most harmful. If someone has been exposed to something on a construction site that made them sick but isn’t sure if it qualifies as a workplace injury, they should contact an experienced Bronx construction accident attorney who can help them.
Collapse. This involves workers who are underground when the structure above them collapses. These can be hard to predict. Nevertheless, all surfaces that could affect workers should be inspected before the work begins.
Explosions or fires. These have many sources, from sparks from a welding project to power generators to people smoking. Many construction projects involve flammable materials, so extra caution should be used. The employer should have adequate fire extinguishers on hand and a supervisor checking to ensure all tools have safely cooled down before being put away before the end of the day.
Slip-and-falls. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2020, more than 30% of construction industry deaths were caused by slips or trips. It’s all too easy to slip on a slippery or wet surface or trip over cords or equipment not properly put away when not being used.

What Happens if Someone Is Denied Workers’ Compensation for a Construction Accident Injury?

There are many reasons a workers’ comp claim might be denied. A common reason is the construction worker didn’t file the claim in time. Workers’ comp claims have deadlines, including 30 days from the accident date to report it and two years to file a claim.

Another reason for denial is the lack of evidence, especially medical, that the construction worker was injured or that the injury occurred on the job.

The worker didn’t see a doctor immediately after the accident. This can lead the employer to workers compensation claim that there was no injury or that the injury happened elsewhere.

The employer disputed the workers compensation claim for other reasons, including that while the injury happened at work, it happened when the employer wasn’t performing a job task or was engaging in horseplay with other workers.

What Should I Do if I Was Injured in a Bronx Construction Accident?

Even if the injury seems minor at first, have a doctor examine you as soon as possible. Some construction accident injuries present few or light symptoms at first but left untreated, they can worsen and even become life-threatening. Seeking medical care is the highest priority.

Call the Law Offices of Thomas Lavin at 718-829-7400 for a free case evaluation. Construction accidents can be dangerous and life-altering. These cases can be complex and could benefit from the knowledge of an experienced Bronx construction accident attorney.

Something not to do: Enter into discussions with the employer, their insurance representative, or attorney. They’ll try to find ways to make you at fault for the accident so they don’t have to pay out claims or damages. Another tactic they might try is to convince you to accept a settlement far lower than what you might otherwise receive. Don’t communicate with them, and send all messages you receive to your attorney.

Can a Bronx Construction Accident Lawyer Help Me Get the Most Compensation Possible for my Case?

Mishaps on construction sites can cause traumatic brain injuries, amputations, spinal cord damage, and other catastrophic injuries that require lifelong care. The Bronx construction accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Thomas J. Lavin fully understand the fears and concerns you face. Your job, family, and future may be threatened by serious injuries. By fighting aggressively for every cent of the compensation you need and deserve, we help you face the future.

We never charge a fee until you receive compensation. If you are injured at a worksite in the Bronx, Brooklyn, or anywhere in New York State, speak to an experienced Bronx construction injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Thomas J. Lavin today. Call us at 718-829-7400 or toll-free at 800-394-4216, or complete the form on our Contact Page and take the first step toward the future you deserve.