All construction workers know the daily risks they face at the job site. Especially the serious risk of falling from elevated heights. A fall from a roof, a hole in the floor, defective scaffolding or an inadequately secured ladder can lead to a serious, debilitating injury. Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death on the job for construction workers.If the fall was caused by the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to seek compensation.
Any number of things can cause someone who is working at heights to lose footing and fall. Inclement weather and a lack of fall protection training play a big role. A lack of safety precautions, such as guardrails on high floors, can also be contributing factors. Workers can fall through a hole or opening in an unfinished floor; they can fall off of ladders or scaffolding, and even out of hoist buckets.
While employers are generally protected from personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits for work-related accidents, third parties may be liable. A third party is anyone who does not work for your employer, including property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, vendors, equipment manufacturers and others.
Regardless if your fall injury or your loved one’s fall injury or fatality took place at a construction site or in another place such as at a hotel or in your housing complex in New York, Choudhry & Franzoni Law Firm is here to help. We will fight hard for your rights and get you the most compensation possible.
New York State Construction Worker’s Protection Law
Labor Law 240 of NYS is very protective over falling workers in the construction industry. In most cases, even if you were partially to blame for your accident you may be able to recover damages. If you were 100% responsible that is not the case, but your ability to recover damages is not lost just because you share part of the blame. There are many instances where the general contractor or the owner of the worksite may be held liable for injuries sustained by someone working at heights.
On a New York construction site, state and federal laws both require the employer to provide certain safety gear to and /or take specific precautions for employees working at heights. Many of these accidents happen either when that equipment fails, or when the employer fails to provide it altogether. Unfortunately, there are still many people and/or companies that will cut corners in order to save money and in some instances that can result in serious or fatal injury.
Hiring a Right Attorney In Construction Accidents
These types of cases have a tendency to get very complex. People often do not want to take responsibility for their part in someone else’s accident. A qualified attorney will have access to information that may help your case. Additionally, they will have the ability to conduct a thorough investigation, which could uncover crucial evidence to support your claim and lead to a positive outcome.
Insurance adjusters are in the business of minimizing claims, not paying them. Don’t let them do that to you. Seek experienced legal counsel as soon as you are able to; this will help preserve your rights to financial compensation. No amount of compensation can repay you for the serious injuries you have suffered and the turmoil that your family has endured, but they can help ease the financial burden.