If you suffered injuries in a scaffolding accident on a New York construction site, you deserve compensation. A New York scaffolding accident lawyer will fight for you.
A member of our personal injury team at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will meet you on Long Island or elsewhere in the New York metropolitan area for your free consultation.
In This Article
- What Is New York Labor Law 240, and How Does it Affect Scaffolding Accidents?
- We Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve in Your Scaffolding Accident Case
- Recoverable Damages in a New York Scaffolding Accident Case
- Act Now Before Time Runs Out in Your Scaffolding Accident Case
- New York Scaffolding Accident News
- Work With a New York Scaffolding Accident & Injury Lawyer
What Is New York Labor Law 240, and How Does it Affect Scaffolding Accidents?
New York Labor Law 240 is a law that protects construction workers who fall from a height or are struck by a falling object. Many such construction accidents are due to unsafe scaffolding which has resulted in this section of law often being referred to as “the Scaffold Law”.
While the law is commonly called “the Scaffold Law,” it also applies to other devices construction workers use on a worksite, including ladders, slings, hoists, braces, ropes, and pulleys. This law often plays a crucial role in scaffold injury cases because it gives workers the right to pursue compensation in several situations when a lawsuit might otherwise not be viable.
In most cases New York law prevents you from holding your employer or coworkers liable for your scaffolding fall injuries, but allows you to pursue third-party lawsuits to recover compensation for your injuries. The Scaffold Law goes a step further, making the property owner and the general contractor overseeing the project responsible for providing proper protection from potential injuries associated with gravity generally, (i.e., falling objects and falls from heights that you yourself are at risk for,) and, more specifically, while you are working on a scaffold
For a free legal consultation with a Scaffolding Accident lawyer serving New York, call 516-932-0400
We Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve in Your Scaffolding Accident Case
The New York scaffolding injury attorneys at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will explain your options for compensation if you suffered injuries in a New York scaffolding fall. Our construction accident attorneys will fight for the damages you deserve.
We will begin by investigating your accident. Our tasks include:
- Identifying and analyzing any available evidence in your case
- Determining who caused or contributed to your accident and injuries
- Working with experts to prove the cause of your accident
- Collecting documentation of the range of your damages
Using this information, we’ll determine who is liable for your injuries and establish the value of your losses related to the scaffolding accident. We will then seek compensation from the at-fault parties and their insurance company, so you can recover financially from the losses you experienced due to someone else’s negligence.
Injuries You Could Suffer in a New York Scaffolding Accident
Scaffolding is engineered to provide a safe platform for construction workers and other employees working at elevated heights. The state of New York and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have established stringent safety requirements for scaffolding to reduce the potential for injuries due to falls from heights or falling objects.
If scaffolding is not properly engineered and erected with required fall protection, guardrails, cross-bracing, footings, platforms, braces, and other equipment, it may result in significant and sometimes fatal injuries. Such injuries may include:
- Spinal injury or paralysis
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head, neck, and back injuries
Even if you feel your injuries do not require medical assistance immediately after an accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many serious injuries, especially blows to the head, may not present symptoms immediately. If left untreated, such injuries can worsen and cause significant lasting effects, chronic disability, and even death. With respect to potentially making a claim for injuries suffered, the longer treatment is delayed, even it is due to a good faith reason, (e.g., “I was hoping it would just get better and go away, etc.”) the more forcefully the insurance carrier for any at-fault or otherwise legally liable party will argue that the injuries were not caused by the accident.
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury in a scaffolding-related accident, our New York attorneys will review your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
New York Scaffolding Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400
Recoverable Damages in a New York Scaffolding Accident Case
A scaffolding-use related injury can cause long-term physical, psychological, and financial effects that harm the victim and their loved ones for years to come. To assist with the challenges New York construction workers and their families face after severe scaffolding accidents, victims can seek compensation for damages.
The damages you can recover for a New York scaffolding accident depend on several factors, including:
- Proving liability
- Your injuries and their prognosis
- Your expenses and losses
Our New York scaffolding injury lawyers will work to recover compensation for the losses you have suffered. These damages may include:
Medical Treatment and Related Damages
- Ambulance transportation
- Hospital care and treatment
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Mobility equipment
- Other necessary medical equipment
- Prescription drug costs
- Ongoing and future care costs
- Doctor bills
Other Economic Damages
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of services
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your accident and injuries
Pain and Suffering Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Other emotional losses
Wrongful Death Actions
If your loved one died from injuries sustained in a New York scaffolding fall, we extend our sincere condolences for your loss. Our sympathetic attorneys will file and forcefully prosecute a wrongful death claim against the responsible party to seek justice for your lost loved one and compensation for your losses. Depending upon the unique circumstances of your claim, if the responsible insurance carriers refuse to offer an appropriate settlement, we will commence a wrongful death action (i.e., lawsuit,) and present a compelling case to a judge and jury in court on your behalf.
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Act Now Before Time Runs Out in Your Scaffolding Accident Case
New York law allows a limited time to file a lawsuit for your scaffold accident injuries. Before time runs out, we must compile the necessary evidence to establish a strong case on your behalf and, ideally, we would have time to conduct negotiations with the at-fault and otherwise legally liable parties and their insurance companies..
Depending on the location and circumstances surrounding your accident, the scene can change very quickly, compromising our ability to gather pertinent evidence to support your claim. Over time, witnesses can forget critical details for your claim. We therefore recommend you contact our New York scaffolding accident lawyers as soon as possible after your fall.
Our attorneys will gather evidence quickly and efficiently to ensure you have the best possible chance for a positive outcome.
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New York Scaffolding Accident News
Construction is one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Each year, hundreds of workers are injured or killed in accidents on construction sites across the country. According to the New York Department of Buildings, 484 reported construction accidents in New York in 2020 resulted in 502 injuries and eight fatalities.
Below are a few examples of recent scaffolding accidents in New York.
Worker Falls to Death From Scaffolding With No Guardrails
The Real Deal reports that a scaffold at Milstein Tower lacked safety guardrails when a worker fell to his death. The incident occurred on May 18, 2019 at Milstein Tower, located at 335 Madison Avenue. 49-year-old Giuseppe Pagano, a resident of Queens, was cleaning debris off a scaffold on the fifth floor. He fell through a part of the structure that lacked safety guardrails. He fell approximately 30 feet to the second floor. He was rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A representative from the DOB said that guardrails were required at the site. The construction management company, Sciame Construction, said that Pagano was a long-time worker for the company. A project representative said a contractor may have removed the guardrails on a floor where an interior curtain wall was being installed.
Scaffolding Collapses at a Mega-Development; 150 Workers Sue Hudson Yards
According to the New York Daily News, on November 11, 2019, scaffolding located on a $25 million Hudson Yards mega-development collapsed. Two workers were on the scaffolding when it collapsed; they fell from the 18th floor to the 17th floor. One worker was seriously injured.
According to Department of Buildings records, the accident appeared to be the first at that site. However, the Commercial Observer reports that since 2013, 150 workers have sued Hudson Yards for on-the-job injuries.
Work With a New York Scaffolding Accident & Injury Lawyer
Every member of the Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. team is a passionate advocate for the injured. We will fight for the compensation you deserve based on the facts of your case. We offer free case reviews and consultations and will explain how the law protects your right to a safe workplace. Our multilingual staff assists clients in English, Spanish, Greek, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada.
Talk to a member of our team about your case for free, and find out how we will seek appropriate compensation for your losses.
Call or text 516-932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form