Construction workers have potentially dangerous jobs. Workers on construction sites frequently work from tall heights and amongst heavy machinery. Construction accidents can cause victims to sustain painful and debilitating injuries.
Injured workers may pursue monetary damages through construction accident lawsuits. However, defendants and their insurers may attempt to refute parts of your claim. Insurance companies can hire teams of people to delay and complicate the legal process.
If you were injured because of a construction accident in Buffalo, get help recovering the financial compensation available to you. Contact our experienced Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.
Common Types of Construction Accidents in Buffalo
There are several different types of construction accidents. Such accidents are often caused by peoples’ careless or reckless actions on construction sites. The following are common types of construction accidents that occur in Buffalo:
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are a very common type of construction accident. When employers and other contractors create dangerous conditions on work sites, severe slip and fall accidents can occur. For example, a worker may suffer a slip and fall because another contractor did not clear stray cords or electrical wiring from a common walkway. Our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can help victims pursue compensation after slip and fall accidents on construction sites.
Electrocutions
Electrocutions are also a common type of construction accident. Faulty work by electricians can cause other contractors to suffer severe harm. The following are common causes of electrocutions on construction sites:
- Inadequate wiring
- Ground faults
- Overloads
- Touching power lines
- Uninsulated openings on live parts
Electrocutions can produce extremely painful injuries. Our team can help injured workers who suffered electrocutions determine if they may file suit against at-fault parties.
Falls
Falls are another common type of construction accident. Construction workers frequently work from ladders, roofs, scaffolding, and other tall heights. Accordingly, negligent behavior on construction sites can lead to devastating falls.
Depending on the severity of the fall, such accidents can produce severe and even fatal injuries. Furthermore, falls can occur for a number of reasons. For instance, a contractor may suffer a fall because of poorly maintained safety equipment or because of an unsafe workspace. Our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can help injured workers determine the proper course of action after a fall.
Vehicle Accidents
Additionally, vehicle accidents are a common cause of injury on construction sites. There are often large vehicles moving materials around construction sites. When vehicle operators act carelessly or recklessly, harmful accidents can occur. The following are common examples of vehicle accidents that happen on construction sites:
- Rollovers
- Spilled cargo
- Back-up collisions
- Crush accidents
Workers may contact our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers for help filing a lawsuit after suffering a vehicle accident on a construction site.
Defective Product Accidents
Furthermore, many construction accidents are caused by defective products. Products can be defective in their design, manufacturing, or marketing. For example, a malfunctioning crane can cause serious injuries by inadvertently dropping heavy objects on workers. In such cases, workers can recover compensation from the manufacturers or sellers of defective products.
However, the products liability lawsuits can be complicated processes. Copious amounts of evidence are usually required to prove that a product was defective. The guidance and support of our experienced Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can be very valuable when pursuing a claim based on a defective product.
Machinery Accidents
Machinery accidents are also a common type of construction accident that occurs in Buffalo. When contractors operate machinery improperly, catastrophic injuries can occur. You can contact our team to assess the validity of your case after a machinery accident.
Falling Debris
Lastly, a great number of construction accidents are caused by falling debris. Workers can suffer grave injuries such as skull fractures and concussions when they are struck by falling objects. Such accidents are often caused by the careless actions of other contractors on site. Our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can help hold at-fault parties responsible after accidents caused by falling debris.
Comparative Negligence in Buffalo Construction Accident Lawsuits
Buffalo courts will award damages in construction accident lawsuits based on the doctrine of pure comparative negligence. In other words, any damages awarded to a plaintiff will be reduced according to their percentage of fault. If you were considered 30% responsible for an accident while the defendant was 70% at fault, the defendant will be ordered to pay for 70% of damages caused by an accident while you will pay for the remaining 30% with out of pocket expenses.
Accordingly, many defendants and their insurers will attempt to shift blame for a construction accident. By assigning blame onto the plaintiff, defendants may avoid paying the full value of a claim. Our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can help fight insurance companies and establish fault, so you may receive the full range of compensation available to you.
Can I Sue My Employer or Client After a Construction Accident?
Many workers injured because of their employers’ or clients’ negligent behavior will have to seek benefits through Workers’ Compensation claims. However, according to W.K.C. Law § 11, employers and clients may be brought into construction accident lawsuits if their actions led to “grave” injuries. The following types of injuries will be considered grave by courts in Buffalo:
- Paralysis injuries
- Loss of limbs or other body parts
- Substantial facial disfigurement
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
If you suffered any of these injuries because of your employer or client’s negligent actions, you may be able to pursue financial compensation through a construction accident lawsuit. Victims can contact our experienced Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers for help determining the proper course of action.
Furthermore, workers can be compensated for injuries that occurred because their employer or client committed a safety violation. For instance, L.A.B. Law § 240 establishes that clients and employers must provide scaffolding to protect their workers from falling. Accordingly, if you suffered a fall on construction site because your employer did not provide scaffolding, you may be entitled to monetary damages in a construction accident lawsuit. Our Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers can investigate whether a worker was injured because of a safety violation.
If You Were Injured Because of a Construction Accident in Buffalo, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a construction accident, seek guidance and support from our experienced Buffalo construction accident and injury lawyers by calling The Carrion Law Firm at (718) 841-0083 for a free case review.