Mariners Harbor Construction Accident Lawyer
Staten Island is a densely populated and bustling city that is constantly growing and changing. This near-constant growth requires a lot of construction, and construction projects can be found all over the area. Unfortunately, people are sometimes hurt on these construction sites due to the negligence of others. If you are hurt, an attorney can help you get compensation.
Construction sites may vary depending on the type of work being performed. Similarly, accidents will vary from site to site. Some common accidents include falling accidents, injuries from defective equipment, and employer negligence. To take legal action, we must make sure your claim is still within the statute of limitations, which is only 3 years. Next, we must begin gathering evidence and assessing your damages so that you get the most compensation possible. Your attorney can do most of the legal heavy lifting while you rest and recover from the accident.
Our construction accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm can offer a free case review to begin if you call us at (718) 841-0083.
Common Examples of Construction Accidents in Mariners Harbor
Construction sites are known for being dangerous. One wrong move and you might be badly hurt. Many different jobs might be performed all at the same time, and workers might be able to navigate the construction site safely. The exact nature of your accident will of course depend on your specific situation. However, some accidents are more common than others and are worth talking about with your lawyer.
Falling Accidents
Falling accidents are very common on construction sites. Workers are often on top of high ladders, rooftops, or scaffolding. You might fall from a high place or someone working up high might drop something heavy, hitting you on the head. If proper precautions are not taken, the people working from way up and high, and the people on the ground might be in danger.
Cases like this often fall under New York’s Scaffold Law under L.A.B. Law § 240. This law imposes strict requirements on how scaffolding is to be erected in order to maintain safety on a construction site. If these requirements were not enforced on your construction site, our construction accident attorneys may be able to help you hold your employer responsible.
Faulty Tools and Equipment
Construction workers need specialized and powerful tools to do their jobs. Dangerous circular saws, nail guns, forklifts, and other powerful tools and equipment are very common on construction sites. Unfortunately, these tools are dangerous if used incorrectly. Even more unfortunately, workers are sometimes injured when they use power tools correctly because the tools are defective. These kinds of accidents are often hard to prevent because the defective equipment often appears to be in working order. Generally, the manufacturer of a faulty tool may be held responsible.
Employer Negligence
Even when construction workers try to be as safe as they can, they might still have to work under unsafe conditions because of negligent employers. The safety of a construction site often begins with the employers or contractors in charge of the overall project. Employers might ignore safety issues or damaged equipment and allow workers to continue working under unsafe conditions.
Taking Legal Action After a Construction Accident in Mariners Harbor
Taking legal action is rarely simple or easy, and you should hire an experienced attorney to guide you through this difficult process. One of the first things we must do is determine if your case is still within statute of limitations. If it is, we should begin collecting evidence and evaluating your damages right away so that we can fully prepare your case before we file it.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is a law that imposes a strict time-limit on plaintiffs. Essentially, this law determines how long an injured victim has to file a civil case. If a potential plaintiff does not file their case within the limitation period set by law, they may be prohibited from ever filing it. Construction accident cases in Staten Island must be filed within 3 years, according to C.V.P. Law § 214. Remember, your window of time opens on the day of the accident, so it is best to meet with a lawyer and start getting ready as soon as possible.
Gathering Evidence
As we prepare your case, we must find evidence to support your claims. You might already have some evidence in your possession. For example, you might have snapped some photos of the accident scene, or we might have security camera footage of the accident. Other evidence might need to be located and collected. We should talk to your coworkers who were present during the accident to see if they saw anything important. If they did, they may provide valuable testimony. We should also collect evidence of your injuries. Your medical records may sufficiently prove the severity of your injuries in addition to the cost of treatment.
Assessing Damages
Speaking of damages, we need to evaluate yours so that you get all the compensation you rightfully deserve. Your economic damages are related to how much money the accident cost you. They often include the high costs of medical treatment for injuries, the cost of replacing damaged personal property (e.g., your tools and equipment), and income you lose from being unable to return to work. We should comb through receipts, bills, and credit card statements to accurately calculate these damages.
Your non-economic damages are more subjective and might not be proven by evidence of cost. Instead, they are based on your experiences and might be more open to interpretation. For example, you can claim damages for emotional distress, psychological trauma, physical pain, humiliation, the loss of enjoyment of your life, damage to your reputation, and more. Since these damages are often not tied to actual sums of money, the jury may have the final word on what they are worth.
Contact Our Mariners Harbor Construction Accident Attorneys Now
Our construction accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm can offer a free case review to begin if you call us at (718) 841-0083.