Long Island Building Collapse Lawyer

A building collapse, whether it’s during construction or has been occupied for a long time, can occur. The results may be catastrophic to those who were inside at the time or close by. This includes property damage, serious injuries, and even death. Structural failure is considered a major cause in Long Island building collapses.

For those who are victims of these incidents (including surviving family members of people who died as a result), legal options are possible. A Long Island Building Collapse Lawyer, provides the following legal guide that includes which actions to take in the event of a building collapse and what steps you can take should the idea of a lawsuit be on the table. Our construction accident attorneys can help you understand what you need to know.

What Are The Common Causes of Building Collapses?

Building collapses can occur at any time whether its under construction or if an aging building has been occupied with tenants for years. While it is a rare occurrence, incidents like this are preventable. This can include errors that are indeed preventable as well as negligence, and even safety code violations. These are the causes to be aware of:

Construction Defects and Engineering Errors

Every building (including those under construction today) must follow a careful architectural design and engineering to ensure they stand the test of time. Today, there are laws and regulations that leave little to no room for error. This means that miscalculations, design flaws, and poor construction practices are all unacceptable. That is because a building where a multitude of issues exist can lead to a weakened structure that will eventually fail.

Low-quality steel, faulty concrete, and poor reinforcements are common culprits that lead to eventual disaster. As such, the parties who may be on the hook for building collapses in Long Island may be the construction company or even the manufacturers of building materials.

Negligent Maintenance or Inspections

Property owners and managers have a responsibility to perform safety inspections and routine maintenance. During the inspection, a landlord needs to be on the lookout for structural warning signs, including sagging floors, cracked walls, and even water damage. Such issues that go unchecked or unaddressed can lead to worse issues including structural collapse.

Landlords should not ignore any potential safety concerns to a structure. Otherwise, it can be held against them, especially in a case where a building collapse in Long Island may lead to legal consequences.

Unsafe Demolition or Renovation Practices

Building collapses due to unsafe demolition or poor renovation work can also happen. For example, if a contractor fails to follow the necessary safety procedures or if a worker removes load-bearing walls without the necessary permits or oversight, this can lead to outcomes that can be catastrophic. Likewise, it can also lead not just to civil litigation on their part, but they may also face potential criminal penalties as well.

Natural Disasters and Environmental Factors

While such things occur outside of our own control, heavy snowfall and other adverse weather conditions can play a role in structural damage over time. As such, wear and tear due to environmental factors will eventually lead to the ongoing needs of maintenance, repair, or even replacement of certain parts of the building such as a roof, windows, and other structural parts of a building.

If the property manager or owner fails to prepare or reinforce a structure, this can lead to them becoming the liable party of a building collapse. Once again, it is important to make sure regular inspections are complete to determine if there are any needs to repair or replace any functional part of a building.

Who Can Be Held Liable For a Building Collapse?

Determining fault in a building collapse case is complex. However, a Long Island building collapse attorney can be able to help in terms of who is at fault before filing a possible lawsuit. Multiple parties can be involved depending on factors like the building’s life cycle and the nature of the collapse. Here are the potential parties that could be held liable in a legal case involving building collapses:

Property Owners and Landlords

Poor maintenance or known structural issues in a residential or commercial building can be the fault of property owners and landlords. They have a legal responsibility to repair damage to their buildings as well as comply with building codes in their municipality and state.

Contractors and Construction Companies

If a building collapses after a recent construction or renovation project, the contractors and construction companies responsible for the project could be held liable. A Long Island construction accident attorney familiar with such cases can investigate if regulations were ignored. Other things they’ll look for are whether corners were cut or if there was improper supervision of workers.

Engineers and Architects

Design professionals can also be at fault for a building collapse. Specifically, engineering flaws or architectural mistakes can be to blame. Both have a responsibility to make sure their structure is safe and complies with standards from local, state, and even federal officials.

Material Manufacturers

Substandard building materials like poor-quality concrete, faulty rebar, or unsafe fixtures may be used in a construction project. The construction company or contractor using these materials may not be aware of it. For this reason, manufacturers of defective materials may be liable for a Long Island building collapse.

Government Agencies or Inspectors

Government entities or safety inspectors need to follow strict guidelines and rules to deem a building safe and secure for occupancy. If they fail to identify red flags due to improper permitting or poor oversight, the liability may fall on them.

What Compensation Can Be Available After A Building Collapse?

In legal proceedings involving Long Island building collapses, there is compensation that is available for survivors (or even family members of deceased individuals) of such incidents. Your building collapse attorney in Long Island can pursue compensation for the purpose of the following:

• Medical expenses: This includes hospital bills, emergency procedures including surgeries, medication, physical therapy, or any other long-term care costs that may arise. A personal injury claim in the State of New York must be followed within three years from the date of the incident when the injury occurred.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Injuries from a collapse that result in an individual unable to return to work, either temporarily or permanently, can pursue compensation for lost income and even diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: Pain through physical and emotional trauma can impact one’s quality of life. The same applies for those who suffer from psychological disorders like PTSD. Damages like these can be compensable.
• Wrongful death damages: Families who lost a loved one in a building collapse may seek compensation in a wrongful death claim to cover funeral costs, financial support loss, and loss of parental guidance.

What Steps Must You Take After a Building Collapse?

In the hours, days, and weeks following a building collapse, each step you take will be critical. If you are considering a legal claim in the aftermath, you’ll want to consider the following:

• Seek immediate medical attention: Even if the injuries or minor, internal damage or shock can lead to life-threatening consequences. Seek medical care promptly, especially when there is documentation that will be available to you via medical professionals that can be used in your claim.
• Preserve evidence: This includes photographs, videos, witness contact information, and other physical evidence. When it is safe to do so, gather and preserve it. If you are unable to do so, an investigator or even a Long Island building collapse attorney can do this on your behalf.
• Report the incident ASAP: You will need to report the incident as soon as possible. This includes filing reports with local authorities, the property manager, and other entities. If it was a work site, a report will need to be filed with OSHA.
• Consult a Long Island building collapse attorney: The legal process is complex, especially if it involves multiple parties who are liable. At Duffy & Duffy, our legal team will tirelessly work with clients to investigate the incident, consult with engineering experts, and navigate the insurance companies on your behalf to make sure you get a fair judgement.

Injured In A Building Collapse? Call a Duffy & Duffy Long Island Attorney Now.

At Duffy & Duffy, our legal expertise work hard to help our clients secure the compensation needed. This includes whether they have been injured in a building collapse. When incidents resulting in injury or death happen, it’s a legal situation that should not go unnoticed. For more information on how a Long Island building collapse lawyer can help, call our law office today.