Construction work is common around Woodside and other neighborhoods in Queens, NY. As the city is constantly growing and changing, construction workers are needed to build and renovate our neighborhood. Unfortunately, construction work can be very dangerous, and injuries and accidents are somewhat common.
A few common examples of construction accidents include falling accidents, such as from high scaffolding, defective tools, and inadequate safety gear. Injuries are often severe, and victims might be unable to return to work, putting their livelihood at risk. Evidence to support your claims for damages may come from the construction site, and we must gather what we need as quickly as possible before evidence disappears. Physical evidence, witness testimony, and medical records may be necessary to prove your claims.
Call (718) 841-0083 and speak to our Queens construction accident attorneys at The Carrion Law Firm to obtain a confidential case review for free.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents in Woodside
Accidents on construction sites are more common than you might realize. While many workers are prepared to encounter minor mishaps, some severe accidents might leave workers badly injured. In such cases, injured workers should get immediate medical attention and contact an attorney for legal assistance.
Falling Accidents
Falls from great heights are among the most common kinds of accidents on construction sites. Workers routinely atop high ladders, roofs, and scaffolding. If a worker falls, they might be able to sue for their injuries and damages.
According to the New York Scaffolding Law L.A.B. Law § 240(1), depending on the work being performed by construction workers, the contractor in charge of the project must erect scaffolding for the protection of workers. Under subsection (2), the scaffolding must meet specific safety requirements to comply with New York labor laws. Contractors or others in charge of the construction project may be held liable if someone is injured because the scaffolding does not meet the legal requirements set out under the labor laws. Additionally, a person may have a legal claim if they did not fall but were injured by falling objects or debris.
Malfunctioning Equipment
Tools and equipment are necessary for construction work, and there are a multitude of tools for every job. Unfortunately, powerful tools and equipment sometimes malfunction due to manufacturing errors or because they were damaged after leaving the manufacturer but before getting to the customer. In such cases, injured construction workers can file a claim against negligent manufacturers and possibly others in the chain of sale in a product liability case.
To succeed, our construction accident attorneys need to show that the tool or equipment was damaged or defective when it arrived to you. If you or a coworker damaged the tool before it malfunctioned, the manufacturer may not be held liable. Second, we must prove that you were using the tool or equipment safely and for its intended purpose. If someone was injured while missing or abusing a power tool, manufacturers are usually not liable if they get hurt.
Lack of Safety Training and Gear
Construction work is inherently dangerous, and workers must have the right gear to remain as safe as possible. If employers do not provide workers with the necessary gear, or the gear is inadequate, employers might be responsible for injuries. For example, construction workers are often required to wear helmets. These requirements may be found in various industry and governmental regulations from entities like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contact an attorney if you were hurt because you were never provided with safety gear or your equipment was of poor quality.
Finding Evidence to Support Your Claims in a Woodside Construction Accident Case
Evidence to prove that the defendant is liable for your injuries will likely come from the construction site where you were hurt. However, additional evidence might be found almost anywhere, and you should talk to your lawyer about possible evidence.
First, we should gather any tools or equipment that might have contributed to your accident. For example, if you were injured because a power tool malfunctioned, we need that defective tool so it can be examined and proven to be faulty. If you own the defective tool, this might be fairly simple. If you were using tools owned by someone else, obtaining them might be a little trickier but not impossible.
Next, we must talk to people present when the accident occurred or who have other first-hand knowledge relevant to the accident. If coworkers saw the accidents, their eyewitness testimony may shed light on exactly what went wrong. Some coworkers may testify even if they did not see the accident unfold. Instead, they might have personal knowledge of the unsafe working conditions and can testify about them.
We must also have proof of your injuries and damages. Your medical records can help us establish just how severe your injuries are. Your medical records might also show the jury how much medical treatment costs, which is crucial to determining fair compensation.
Possible Damages in Woodside Construction Accident Cases
Damages in construction accident cases can be quite large, especially if injuries are severe and extensive medical treatment is required. It is all too easy to make mistakes when assessing damages, and you should go over your calculations with your lawyer to make sure everything is accounted for.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are based on the money you spent as a direct result of the accident. For many, accidents on construction sites are incredibly costly, and legal action might be the best way to get fair compensation.
To begin, we should review your medical bills from the accident. Medical treatment is super expensive, and even a single emergency room visit might cost someone hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you need more extensive care, your bills are likely even higher.
We should also consider your lost wages. There is a good chance that you cannot go back to work after being injured, as construction work might be too difficult to do while dealing with painful injuries. We can help you claim damages for your lost income.
Non-Economic Damages
Your painful personal experiences during and after the accident may constitute your non-economic damages. For example, your professional reputation as a construction worker might be tarnished after an accident. Contractors might be less inclined to higher people with a history of accidents, even if the accidents were not their fault. The damage to your reputation should be factored into your damages calculations.
In addition, the accident might have left you feeling deeply embarrassed in front of your coworkers and possibly your employers and supervisors. You deserve compensation for your humiliation, and the people responsible for the accident should be held accountable.
Get in Touch with Our Woodside Construction Accident Attorneys Now
Obtain a confidential case review for free by calling (718) 841-0083 and talking to our construction accident attorneys at The Carrion Law Firm.