New York Construction Accident Lawyer
According to federal statistics, there are more than 6 million people at work on U.S. construction sites each day. The construction industry also experiences more fatal and other serious injuries than any other American industry. These two facts mean construction accidents dramatically impact the lives of a substantial number of workers and their families.
At Aronova & Associates, our New York construction accident lawyers witness first-hand the impact of many types of construction site injuries, including:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Crane Accidents
- Machinery accidents
- Falls from heights
- Electrocution accidents
For construction workers injured on the job, the New York State workers’ compensation system may provide coverage for medical bills and lost income. In other cases, complete compensation may not be available without filing a lawsuit against the construction management company, site owner, equipment manufacturer, or some other at-fault party. Our team is dedicated to helping injured workers recover the maximum compensation for their injuries.
Why construction accidents are unique
The activities that take place on a construction site are inherently dangerous. From working at high elevation to using explosives, even everyday tasks pose a risk to employees.
Compared to the general civil liability system, the New York workers’ compensation system makes it easier for injured workers to receive medical treatment and other benefits by removing the need to prove that the employer was at fault. Unfortunately, it does not always provide completely for the needs of those injured on construction sites.
The more severe injuries seen in construction accidents can exceed the available workers’ comp limits. At the same time, multiple parties often have access to a job site, so the employee’s injuries may have been caused by a third party. These factors can raise special liability issues, so speak with a construction accident attorney NYC workers trust when they are injured on a work site. Aronova & Associates is here to help victims of construction injuries receive full compensation. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your financial and physical recovery from an on-the-job injury!
When does workers’ compensation cover a construction work accident or illness?
Worker’s compensation is a no-fault insurance system, and under New York law, nearly all employers must pay into it on their employees’ behalf. Covered workers may be entitled to receive the following for accidents or illnesses that are job-related:
- Coverage for medical treatment
- Disability benefits
- Partial reimbursement for lost wages
- Death benefits
A work accident may be covered even if it did not occur on the job site. For example, if an employee was injured in an accident while transporting a work-related haul, the accident would still be considered job-related. If the job exposed the worker to dangerous materials that led to a disease later on, this may also be covered. Speak with one of the workers’ compensation attorneys at Aronova & Associates to find out whether your medical condition will be covered.
Construction accidents: What if workers’ compensation is not enough?
With the hazards found on construction sites, the injuries suffered tend to be more serious than other workplace injuries. If the disability or income benefits available under workers’ compensation are inadequate, New York law allows the injured worker to sue at-fault parties in certain circumstances.
- When the worker’s injury was the result of a dangerous condition caused by a third-party that had control over and knew of, or should have known of, the danger, the third party may be liable. Unlike a worker’s comp claim, the employee’s own negligence, if any, will be an issue and may decrease any award. Workers who recover money by suing a third party must pay back any workers’ compensation received on the claim.
- In some cases, construction workers who work at high elevations are entitled to certain safety protections under law. If a third party was responsible for supervision of the site but failed to provide such protections, the worker may be entitled to recover both workers’ compensation through his or her employer, plus also recover through the third party. If successful, the worker must reimburse a portion of what workers’ compensation paid.
- Strict liability laws require strict compliance with construction workplace safety codes. When a third party fails to comply with one of these safety provisions, the injured worker does not need to prove fault, only that the party violated the code and that it led to the workers’ injury. The worker can make a separate recovery but may need to pay back a portion of the workers’ compensation received.
No two claims are the same and proceeding against one party can jeopardize your claim against another. Speak with an Aronova & Associates construction accident attorney in New York City before filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Speak with a New York construction accident lawyer
When facing the repercussions of a construction site injury, there are a lot of legal and practical issues that can impact your recovery. Whether you were injured in Manhattan, on Long Island, or another part of New York State, or lost a loved one in a workplace accident, the construction accident lawyers at Aronova & Associates are here to help you understand your rights.
Our attorneys are prepared to fight for the maximum compensation due you under New York law, whether it is through an appeal of denied benefits or a civil lawsuit against a negligent party. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and see how much your case is worth. We charge NO FEES unless we win money for you!
Additional Construction Accident Lawsuit Resources:
- United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Commonly Used Statistics, https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
- United States Department of Labor, Worker Safety Series: Construction, https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html