Nassau County Construction Accident Lawyer

A construction accident happens, and you have been injured. The medical expenses begin to quickly pile up and you may be out of work for a long period of time. This results in a loss of wages and future earning potential. The weight of the piling expenses can be a painful experience beyond the physical and emotional pain you or your loved one may be suffering.

However, a Nassau County construction accident lawyer may be your best option for securing maximum compensation. This guide focuses on what causes such accidents to happen (along with the common types), what compensation you may pursue as a result, and labor laws that might be violated where legal action is necessary. Reach out to our personal injury attorneys to learn more about your legal options.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

Even with strict regulations implemented by OSHA and New York having the toughest labor laws in the country, construction accidents still occur. These incidents can result in injuries and even death. Here are the common types of construction accidents that occur:

• Falls from heights: These include unguarded roof edges, broken ladders, and scaffolding collapses. The results from these falls can be devastating including serious injuries and fatalities.
• Falling objects: Construction materials or loose tools may fall from heights, striking nearby workers. This may cause serious neck and head injuries as a result.
• Machinery accidents: Malfunctioning equipment, such as forklifts, cranes, and backhoes, can occur. It can be due to defects, improper operation, or even poor maintenance.
• Electrocution: Workers exposed to live wires or faulty electrical setups may risk severe burns and electrocution.
• Trench collapses and structural failures: These can be due to poor planning or lack of support systems. As a result, this can lead to building collapses or cave-ins. Even after construction is complete, structural failures can still lead to collapses that may result in multiple injuries or fatalities.
• Slip and fall incidents: Such accidents are caused by unmarked hazards, scattered debris, uneven ground, or unattended spills that are not cleaned up in time.

Unsafe work practices can be linked to these construction accidents. Another issue may be failing to comply with safety regulations. Nevertheless, these can lead to an injured worker to take legal action if negligence is proven. That’s where a Nassau County construction accident attorney can work with you to help protect your legal rights and pursue compensation that is fair for you.

What Laws Are Often The Focus Of Construction Accident Lawsuits?

New York’s state labor laws are designed to protect construction workers. If violated, injured workers can pursue legal action against the liable parties other than their employer. Here are some of the important statutes that are often the focus of construction accident lawsuits:

• Labor Law 200: This law requires employers and property owners to provide a safe job site for their workers.
• Labor Law 240: The Scaffold Law is considered one of the strictest of its kind in the books. This defines that liability can be placed on contractors and property owners in gravity-related accidents, such as getting struck by falling objects from above or even falls from heights.
• Labor Law 241: For construction, demolition, and excavation work, this law ensures that specific safety rules are outlined and followed.

Violation of these laws can lead to an injured worker or even a surviving loved one of someone killed in an accident to pursue legal action. That’s where a Nassau County construction accident attorney may be able to take on your case and make the effort to pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Construction Accident?

When working on a construction accident claim, liability can be established despite the challenges that may arise. One of them is that there may be multiple parties that might be liable for the accident. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• General contractors and subcontractors: Their chief responsibility is to make sure that a safe work environment is provided for their employees.
• Property owners: A property owner may be held liable if accidents linked to Scaffold Law and other labor law violations occur.
• Equipment manufacturers: If the equipment is defective, it can lead to malfunctions that cause accidents. Therefore, the manufacturer may be held liable if such faults in the equipment have been found.
• Engineers or architects involved in the project: If there are faulty plans or structural failures that may lead to collapse during or even after construction, engineers and architects may be held liable, especially if the incident results in injuries or death.

All parties listed above have a duty to maintain safety. If that duty is not executed, they may be held liable in a construction accident. An experienced construction accident attorney in Nassau County can be able to determine fault and assist you in your claim from the consultation to the final settlement.

What Compensation Can You Be Entitled To In A Construction Accident?

In the event of an injury or death in a Nassau County construction accident, an attorney can work on your behalf to secure the necessary compensation. What type of compensation that you may be entitled to depends on the facts of your case. This will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Medical expenses: These include hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and other long-term medical care that may be needed.
• Lost wages: This includes when you are unable to work temporarily or permanently. Also covered is any loss of future earning potential.
• Pain and suffering: Not only will physical pain be covered, but so will emotional trauma that may be caused by the injuries you’ve suffered.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement: There may be injuries you have suffered where it can have long-term effects on your appearance or quality of life.
• Wrongful death benefits: If your loved one was killed in a Nassau County construction accident, you can pursue compensation that will cover funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of parental guidance.

While workers’ compensation may be immediately available to injured workers, it often comes up short in providing full coverage. That’s why an experienced attorney is ready to help you in the event you decide to pursue legal action.

What Should I Do After a Construction Accident?

Taking action after a Nassau County construction accident is important. The sooner you take these steps, the better. Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step:

• Report the incident: Notify the employer or site supervisor as soon as possible. Please make sure an incident report is filed as well.
• Seek medical care immediately: Whether you have no visible injuries or minor ones, seeking medical attention as soon as possible will be critical. Especially if you may be dealing with internal injuries.
• Gather evidence: This includes taking photos of the scene, your injuries, any hazards, and also gathering witness information such as name and contact information.
• Avoid making statements: If you talk to insurance companies, you may be at risk of placing yourself at fault. They may also pressure you into signing documents and accept a small settlement. Do not do this without speaking to a lawyer first.
• Contact a Nassau County construction accident attorney: Our experienced attorneys at Duffy & Duffy can be easily reached if you have any questions or need a consultation for your construction accident case.

It’s also important to make sure that you consider taking legal action as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for personal injuries in New York is three years. If it’s a wrongful death lawsuit, it will be two years. Regardless, the sooner you contact Duffy & Duffy regarding your legal options, the better.

If You Have Been Injured In A Nassau County Construction Accident, Contact Our Attorneys

Construction accidents can have lasting effects on those who were injured or killed. If you or a loved one has been a victim, your legal options are important and should not be left unaddressed. At Duffy & Duffy, we can make sure that if your case for legal action is possible, we will work tirelessly on your behalf to secure maximum compensation. Call our Nassau County construction accident lawyer today to schedule a consultation.