Construction sites are pretty common throughout NYC, including the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. Construction is near-constant as old buildings come down and new ones go up. Unfortunately, construction sites are not always safe. Not only are workers at risk of being injured, but people just passing by might get hurt in accidents, too.
Construction work is dangerous, and contractors should always make sure that workers and others in and around the site are safe. If contractors or property owners are negligent, people might be injured in any number of terrible accidents, causing serious injuries. Damages in construction accidents may be substantial. Many injured victims not only deal with high medical costs but also find it difficult to continue working in the construction field, making it harder to earn a living and pushing them closer to financial ruin. An attorney can assist you in holding negligent people responsible for your injuries.
Call (718) 841-0083 and ask our Brooklyn, NY construction accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm for a free, private review of your case.
Frequently Claimed Construction Accidents in Park Slope
Construction projects may range from small-scale projects to enormous sites with numerous workers, lots of tools, machinery, and potential hazards. Construction work is inherently risky, but workers and contractors can minimize these risks by taking necessary precautions and following safety regulations. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and accidents occur.
Falling Accidents
Some of the most frequently cited accidents on construction sites are falling accidents. Workers routinely work from great heights on top of ladders, scaffolding, or rooftops. This work is very risky, and certain safety precautions must be taken. If they are not, a worker might fall. According to New York’s scaffolding law, under L.A.B Laws § 240(1), contractors and some property owners may be liable if someone falls from scaffolding or some other system that suspends workers above the ground. The law also spells out safety requirements for scaffolding, including details about heights, railings, and other safety measures. Our construction accident lawyers will help you get your case started.
Crushing Accidents
Many other workers are injured in crushing accidents. If this sounds painful, it is because it is. Crushing accidents may occur when a worker is caught between heavy objects or materials. For example, a forklift operator might accidentally pin another worker against a wall and crush them. Many victims of crushing accidents are so severely injured that they never fully recover. Many others do not survive their injuries. Accidents like this often involve very high damages, and you should contact an attorney immediately.
Electrical Shocks and Burns
Electrical work is a common aspect of many construction projects, and it can be very dangerous if contractors or others are negligent. For example, an electrician might be working with some wiring while the power is shut off. If someone turned the power on without checking with the electrician first, the electrician might be electrocuted. Electric shocks can be extremely dangerous, and victims often experience burns.
Damages Available in Park Slope Construction Accident Cases
Construction-related injuries are known to be severe. Many injured workers deal with long recovery times, expensive medical bills, and excruciating pain. These damages and more deserve fair compensation, and a lawyer can help you get just that. Keeping track of all your damages can be difficult, and thorough record-keeping is important for your claims.
Non-economic damages can be difficult to assess because they are often unrelated to financial costs. Instead, these damages are based on subjective experiences that take a toll on the plaintiff’s life. For example, you may claim non-economic damages for physical pain, emotional distress or turmoil, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of your life, and more. If you find yourself unable to work in the construction field, you might claim damage to your professional reputation.
Economic damages represent how much the accident and your injuries have cost you in a financial sense. These damages are arguably easier to evaluate because they are measured in dollars and cents. However, keeping track of all your expenses might be difficult, and you must be thorough. Medical bills, damaged tools or equipment, and the loss of income from being unable to return to work should be accounted for.
People Who Might Be Held Liable for Park Slope Construction Accidents
Numerous people might be implicated in a construction accident. Some of these people might have been present for the accident, while others might have been nowhere near the construction site. Whomever you sue, you must do so within 3 years, according to the statute of limitations under C.V.P. Law § 214. The limitation period begins the day you are injured, and the clock might already be ticking.
Contractors
General contractors are hired to run the construction project and manage the site and workers. As such, they have a high degree of responsibility and may be held liable when accidents occur. Also, subcontractors might be liable for certain accidents within their domain. For example, the general contractor might hire a roofing contractor who then hires you to do some roofing work on a construction job. If you are injured, the roofing subcontractor might be responsible. Talk to your attorney about who hired you, how your accident happened, and whether the general or subcontractor was negligent.
Property Owners
Typically, property owners do not get involved with the day-to-day activities on a construction site. As such, they are sometimes not liable when construction accidents happen on their property. However, this is not always the case. Some property owners take a hands-on approach and get more involved, and they might cause accidents. Alternatively, a property owner might be liable under the scaffolding law discussed earlier.
Third Parties
Sometimes, people not on the construction site are responsible for accidents. A common example involves faulty power tools, machinery, or equipment and the negligent manufacturers who produced the defective products. The manufacturer may be liable if you were injured because a power tool or some other equipment malfunctioned.
Our Park Slope Construction Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help
Call (718) 841-0083 and ask our construction accident lawyers at The Carrion Law Firm for a free, private review of your case.