If you work in the construction industry, you know how dangerous construction sites are. It is not surprising to see accidents as an ordinary and expected part of your job. Perhaps the scariest fact about being a construction worker is not knowing whether you will be the next victim. While no one can say when – or if – an accident will happen to you, it is essential to be prepared in advance.
Call us right after an accident, and we will see if you can file a third-party work injury lawsuit or a Workers’ Compensation claim for damages. We can help you get compensation after a fall, explosion, fire, or other accident on a construction site. Contact us as soon as possible so you do not have to wait for damages.
Call The Carrion Law Firm’s construction accident lawyers for a free case assessment at (718) 841-0083.
How Soon Should You Call Our Lawyers After a Construction Accident?
Call our lawyers right after a construction accident. We need to confirm your path to recovery, get evidence of your injuries and their cause, and start preparing your case.
New York gives you three years to file a third-party work injury lawsuit. This is not much time, especially if you are largely focused on healing from a bad injury. If a third party is not liable, you may get damages from a Workers’ Compensation claim. A liable third party may be the manufacturer of a defective tool that exploded and scarred you.
The longer you wait to contact our construction accident lawyers, the more evidence you might lose. Peers who witnessed your construction accident might forget crucial details, potentially compromising their statements.
The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can also start tracking your damages. Medical bills, lost wages, and other damages from bad construction accidents are costly, and records might get disorganized without our help.
If you wait too long to seek compensation after a construction accident in Staten Island, you miss your chance to get it. We will not let that happen and can prioritize your financial recovery as soon as you reach out about your case.
Can I Sue My Employer for a Construction Site Accident in Staten Island?
If your employer has Workers’ Compensation, and you are covered, you may only sue them if they intentionally injured you, which is uncommon. If your employer is without the necessary Workers’ Compensation coverage, you may sue them for damages.
New York also provides an exception for scaffolding collapses, allowing injured employees to sue employers who do not comply with requirements of L.A.B. Law § 240.
Top Causes of Construction Accidents in Staten Island
No worker expects to get injured at a construction site. Unfortunately, the dangers associated with the construction industry commonly lead to many accidents. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), there are four leading causes of construction accidents: falls from heights, being struck by objects, electrocutions, and being caught between objects.
Falling from Heights
Falling from heights is common in the construction industry. These accidents often happen because of unprotected handrails, unsecured doors, and unrepaired holes in the floor. Keeping a construction site free from these and other hazards is paramount to ensuring that all workers are safe at the workplace.
Still, falls happen, requiring injured workers to check into hospitals to get treatment. Regardless of the extent of your injury, you might be entitled to compensation, especially if you miss work.
Being Struck by Objects
Construction workers are constantly surrounded by all sorts of vehicles, heavy materials, and equipment. Over the years, thousands of workers have been seriously injured or have lost their lives after being struck by a truck, crane, or falling object at a construction site.
Construction sites must abide by strict safety rules and regulations. However, not all construction company owners or supervisors pay close attention to all of the details involved in their employees’ safety. Falling objects can injure more than just workers; they might strike and harm passersby.
Electrocution
Many construction workers come into contact with exposed electrical wires, faulty fuse boxes, or materials conducting electricity. Power lines have become one of the most common causes of fatal electrocutions in construction sites. This is not a secret to anyone in the industry, yet many people disregard this hazard.
Additionally, all construction sites must have adequate grounding. This means all workers must be protected against “ground fault,” which can lead to severe explosions, burns, and even electrocutions. In other cases, faulty equipment has led to fatal accidents.
Getting Caught Between Objects
Getting caught or “trenched” is common in construction sites. This term encompasses many different scenarios where a construction worker can end up injured, like being pinched, squeezed, or compressed. Getting caught between objects can happen because of lack of proper supervision, lack of appropriate safety equipment, or another construction worker’s negligence.
These accidents often cause crushing injuries, which may take months to heal.
Steps to Take After a Construction Accident in Staten Island
Suppose you were involved in an accident on a construction site in Staten Island. In that case, every step you take after your incident can impact your potential compensation. For this reason, all injured workers must act proactively to avoid facing setbacks with their claims.
Get Medical Assistance
The first thing you should do immediately after your accidental injury is to get medical assistance. You may need to follow certain rules to get your treatment, especially if Workers’ Compensation is your “exclusive remedy” for getting damages. Regardless, your safety should be your primary concern.
Report to Your Employer
Be sure to report your accident to your employer. You may have to give written notification to your employer no later than 30 days from your accident, though our construction accident lawyers can facilitate this sooner. Meeting this requirement can help you get compensation for your injuries, so do not wait to tell your boss about an accident.
Identify Witnesses
Write the names of any witnesses to your accident. Keep in mind that you will need to provide evidence of your claim if you wish to get compensation. Witnesses can help corroborate the facts surrounding your case and strengthen the validity of your claim. Tell us which of your peers were present during the construction accident, and we can interview them.
Call Our Lawyers
It is essential to hire an experienced Staten Island construction accident attorney. Our lawyers may provide you with the experience, knowledge, and skill to handle your case the right way. Whether you are fighting for compensation through Workers’ Compensation or taking your case to court, an attorney is crucial.
What If You Are Hurt as a Passerby in a Construction Accident?
Not all construction accident victims are workers. Those passing by an active construction site might be struck by falling objects, affected by explosions or fires, or otherwise injured.
If you are hurt as a passerby, you may sue the construction site for negligence. The normal three-year statute of limitations for injury lawsuits applies, so do not waste any time contacting us.
Make sure to document your injuries by going to the hospital. Calling the police may also benefit you, creating a report our lawyers can get and review for your case.
Can You Sue for a Roadside Construction Car Accident in Staten Island?
Negligent drivers might injure members of roadside construction crews. New York is still a no-fault state for auto accidents, so we must prove your injuries are serious enough to warrant litigation.
New York defines serious injuries as those that cause death, fracture, miscarriage, dismemberment, and significant disfigurement, among others, according to I.S.C. Law § 5102(d). If you are struck as a pedestrian while working at a roadside construction site, you might suffer very bad injuries.
Construction workers might coincidentally be wearing some protective gear during these accidents, like hard hats. Still, fatal and traumatic injuries are possible, even during low-speed collisions.
We can make a case against the negligent driver and hold them accountable for your medical damages, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You also have three years to file this type of lawsuit, so do not wait.
Compensation for Construction Accident Claims in Staten Island
As we mentioned, you may have access to monetary compensation for your construction accident in Staten Island. Typically, the Workers’ Compensation system allows injured workers to get damages while they are out of their work. Additionally, it can cover medical expenses and other economic losses. However, you will not be able to obtain maximum compensation because damages for any emotional, psychological, or mental injuries are blocked.
These damages might only be recoverable through a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, the compensation for your mental anguish and other non-economic injuries, along with any other economic losses, can increase the value of your claim.
However, to achieve your case’s maximum potential, it is essential to hire an experienced Staten Island construction accident lawyer. Certain exceptions to the Workers’ Compensation ban on injury lawsuits might allow us to file a lawsuit to seek additional damages beyond what Workers’ Compensation offers, and we are ready to assist you and fight tirelessly against those responsible for your accident.
How Long Does it Take to Get Compensation After a Construction Accident?
How long it takes you to get compensation depends on several factors, like how long you wait to contact our lawyers, what the appropriate remedy is, and more. Let us estimate how long your recovery may take and keep you updated throughout your case on its progress.
Workers’ Compensation Claim
Although Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system and injured construction workers should get benefits fairly easily, it is not always so simple. Some Workers’ Compensation carriers might suggest the victim’s injury is from a pre-existing condition, that they intentionally injured themselves, or that they were not hurt at work. Dealing with Workers’ Compensation carriers is challenging and something our attorneys can handle for you.
Work Injury Lawsuit
Some work injury lawsuits settle in a few days, while others take months of settlement talks and then go to trial. Every case is unique, though our lawyers may get a fair settlement sooner by leveraging strong evidence. Settling is not necessarily faster than going to court, as a trial might only take a few days once it reaches the court docket.
There is no time limit on how long work injury lawsuits can last. You might still be incurring damages as we litigate your case, making your fast recovery important. Even when if you need damages right away, accepting bad settlements is inadvisable. We can prevent this when we handle settlement talks for your work injury lawsuit.
Our Lawyers Can Handle Your Construction Accident Claim in Staten Island
Call our New York City construction accident lawyers today at (718) 841-0083 for a free case discussion.