Construction Accident Attorneys

Construction work is part of every growing community. Whether it is new construction projects, remodels, or demolitions, there are many scenarios where construction might occur, particularly in busy cities with growing populations. Construction work is often in high demand—with workers that have experience in the industry finding ample work to stay busy and making considerable earnings.

While the pay is usually good, the physical stress of the work required can be pretty difficult and, in some cases, dangerous. Workers on construction sites can face hazardous situations each day while on the job. Injuries can occur if those in charge of a site or conducting their business and work on-site are not careful and fail to safeguard the risks. As a worker that suffers an injury in a construction accident, you may not be sure what to expect in the aftermath or what your rights may be.

Construction accidents are complex because they involve possible worker’s compensation issues, and there may be grounds for a lawsuit. To understand what options you may have as an injured construction accident victim, consult with a construction accident attorney to discuss your injuries and how they happened.

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Construction Accident Guide

If You Sustain an Injury While on The Job in a Construction Accident, Contact Jacoby & Meyers, LLP

When you make a living working in construction, any injury can interfere with your ability to fulfill your duties on the job and also your ability to earn an income. Construction accident injuries can result in painful conditions, and you may even need to go through lengthy rehabilitation to regain strength and function. During this time, you may face incredible financial pressures and challenges as you try to navigate your recovery and meet your responsibilities for your household.

At Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, we understand what a difficult position you are in. We want to help you pursue the monetary compensation you may be eligible for in your case.

With offices throughout New York, New Jersey, and the Northeast, we serve countless clients in our communities to fight back against insurers and parties responsible for their injuries.

As a construction accident victim, you need a lawyer to help you stand up for your rights and interests. For 50 years, our firm has represented and fought for clients harmed by the negligence of others. You can visit one of our office locations, meet with us virtually, or we can come to you. Contact us to speak with a team member and get answers to your concerns regarding your case.

What Compensation Could You Recover After a Construction Accident?

The damages a victim can recover after a construction accident depends on the facts leading up to the accident and the parties involved. When it comes to a construction accident, the law on your rights to sue and recover certain types of compensatory damages is complex because of worker’s compensation laws. In most instances, a worker who suffers an injury while on a construction site may seek compensation for some of their losses through a worker’s compensation claim.

Construction accident attorneyHowever, there are situations where filing a worker’s compensation claim might not be your best option, and your employer or another party could be liable for additional damages to you. The jurisdiction, labor laws, and the actions of the employer or another party can affect your options for recovery.

For example, while filing a worker’s compensation claim might be what you think is the next logical step, there are instances where taking this action could preclude you from seeking additional compensation the law could entitle you to.

Additionally, deciphering when you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit is not always clear. It is best to consult with a construction accident attorney to seek advice on the matter before speaking to any insurer or filing a claim for worker’s compensation.

While worker’s compensation claims limit the amount of money you can recover due to a construction accident injury, a personal injury lawsuit may allow for the recovery of most of the damages associated with a construction accident injury.

Potential damages available in a construction accident case:

  • Medical expenses including emergency care, procedures, hospitalization, and rehabilitation
  • Future medical costs that may arise
  • Total loss of income, wages, and future earning impacts
  • Pain and suffering that can include physical distress, emotional and mental pain, and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Reduction of the quality of your life

The Risk of Injury and Death in the Construction Industry

Construction work is notoriously hazardous to the health and safety of workers at sites throughout the country. While government entities and state organizations put significant effort into laws, regulations, and safety awareness campaigns, accidents continue to occur. Many workers can suffer disabilities and death yearly in preventable accidents while on the job. In the unfortunate, tragic event that you lost a loved one in a construction accident, you should consult an experienced wrongful death attorney.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that there are over 11 million workers in the construction industry each year. This is a large population of workers that each day faces potential risks of injury during their work duties. Sadly over 5,000 of the construction worker population each year will die in a construction work-related incident. Countless more victims across the country suffer injuries that will sideline them temporarily or leave them unable to continue to work in the construction industry.

Most Common Incidents Involving Injury on a Construction Site

Construction accidentsThe causes of injuries and fatalities at a construction site will vary depending on the type of work performed and the safeguards in place by the construction company and visiting contractors completing work alongside other workers. While how an accident happens is not relevant for most worker’s compensation claims since the fault is not a basis for recovering losses, the cause of an accident is very relevant if a personal injury lawsuit is at stake.

Evidence of negligence, failure to establish and maintain safety protocols, or evidence of violations of the labor laws in your state can all be relevant to whether a personal injury lawsuit may be possible after your construction accident injury.

Common causes of construction-related injuries or death include:

  • Falls. Construction workers must often work on small, elevated platforms with a high risk of falling. Construction companies must meet many safety requirements to ensure the safety of workers conducting precarious work. Failure to have proper safeguards in place can lead to a high probability of injury or death of workers on site.
  • Trips and slips. Materials, equipment, substances, and wiring are all over construction sites. If workers encounter unexpected debris, spills, or other objects, they may trip or slip, leading to an injury.
  • Failures of safety equipment. It is not enough for a construction company or contractor to provide safety equipment. They must routinely inspect and check equipment to avoid failures when needed most. If safety equipment fails or breaks, the worker using that equipment will likely suffer an injury with life-threatening potential.
  • Falling object. Machines transferring loads and workers moving and transporting materials are commonplace at work sites. However, if these materials or objects fall below, they can hurt individuals working or passing the area underneath.
  • Machinery accidents. Heavy machinery’s operation comes with the construction site work. From large machines that transport and lift objects to specialized tools that assist with the job, various dangerous devices are necessary for the work, but they can cause severe injuries or death if not used properly.
  • Electrocution. Getting electricity to run through construction sites is essential to get the work done and complete the project for a functioning building. Unfortunately, electrical work is hazardous not only to the individuals doing the jobs but to those that may encounter faulty wiring, exposed wires, or troubled circuits as they work or pass through the construction site.
  • Overuse or overexertion. Not all injuries on a construction site happen in an instant. In some cases, a worker can develop chronic injuries that worsen over time, cause pain and discomfort, and prevent you from working and living your life normally.
  • Exposure to hazardous substances. The threat of physical injury at a construction site can include the development of illnesses that can arise after prolonged exposure to toxic materials and substances. Breathing in and touching hazardous chemicals and abrasives as part of a construction job can make you susceptible to developing diseases such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, and other conditions.

The Injuries Most Commonly Suffered by a Construction Accident Victim

As a victim, the injuries you sustain while working in construction can depend on what type of accident happens and the severity of the injury you initially sustained. While some construction accident injuries can heal with time and a worker can make a full recovery for some victims, the injuries can forever change their lives.

Disability due to construction work injuries is quite common, and some victims might be unable to recover from the injuries they sustain. If you suffer a permanent disability, the expenses you may face for your care and the money necessary to take care of your day-to-day living can be significant.

The most common injuries in construction-related incidents:

  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Strains, sprains, or soft tissue injuries
  • Respiratory distress
  • Development of disease
  • Loss of vision or hearing
  • Loss of an extremity
  • Exposure to toxic gases or chemicals
  • Burns

What Is It Like Pursuing Compensation for Your Construction Accident Losses?

Construction accident lawyerThe process for a worker that suffers an injury on the job in construction should be easy and streamline the steps for workers to know what compensation they are eligible for and how they can get it. Unfortunately, that is not how most construction accident injury claims work. In most cases, it is up to a worker to figure out what rights they have, what compensation they may be eligible for, and how to get the compensation they need.

The reality is that most people do not have the legal knowledge, background, and experience necessary to navigate a construction accident case independently. Insurance companies, construction companies, and contractors know that most workers do not know their rights or the amount of money the law may entitle them to. They will use this lack of information to try to manipulate the outcome of a claim or case to their benefit without regard for the rights of a construction accident victim.

What Should You Do After a Construction Accident Injury?

After suffering an injury at work, there are several steps you should take to make sure you protect your rights and your potential compensation claim. Follow these helpful tips after a construction accident to increase your chances of a successful claim or lawsuit.

1. See Your Doctor Regularly

Treatment for most construction accident injuries takes time, consistent follow-ups, and therapy. Do not hesitate to visit the nearest emergency room or see a doctor after an injury. Get the emergency treatment you need but also take the time to understand the treatment plan and further care you will require for optimal recovery.

2. Take Notes

Devise a simple approach to keeping notes and records on what happens in the days and weeks of recovery from your construction accident injury. This information can be helpful as your case progresses and to prove your damages in a claim or court case.

3. Call a Lawyer As Soon As Possible

Contact a construction accident attorney that will offer you a free case consultation. Through a case evaluation, you can discuss the events leading to your injuries, who may be responsible for your losses, and your options under the law.

Call Jacoby & Meyers, LLP After Suffering an Injury in a Construction Accident

Our Jacoby & Meyers, LLP team, has the experience and knowledge to represent you, the victim of an accident at a construction work site. We know what you are going through and the uncertainties you are facing. Contact us at (212) 445-7000 and we will present your options to seek compensation from the responsible parties. Speak with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer today.

Jacoby & Meyers, LLP
39 Broadway Suite 1910,
New York, NY 10006
(212)-445-7000

Client Testimonials

“If it were not for the integral legal team of experts at Jacoby & Meyers I would not be where I am today with my recovery. I highly recommend hiring Jacoby & Meyers should you ever find yourself injured in an accident, and an individual or company needs to be held accountable for their negligence.” -C.J.
★★★★★

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