Working on a construction site in New York City involves working at great heights. In large cities like New York City, construction workers can find themselves working on tall skyscrapers. Construction workers can also become injured in fall accidents by tripping over debris, falling into utility holes, or falling while working on heavy machinery. Fall injuries due to a construction accident can cause permanent life-altering disability or even death.
Injured in a Fall Accident While Working Construction? We Can Help
Attorney Frank J. Dito has represented personal injury victims in New York for over 17 years. At the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, we have the resources and experience necessary to seek the compensation you deserve. Undergoing an injury after a dangerous fall on a construction site can leave victims with extensive medical bills and severe, ongoing pain. Contact the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito today to schedule your initial consultation to learn how to advocate for you.
How Fall Accidents on Construction Sites Happen
New York City is home to some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. As a result, working in the construction industry is especially dangerous in New York City. Construction workers have to work on scaffolding outside of buildings from great heights. When the scaffolding was not put together correctly or wasn’t safely secured on solid, level ground, construction workers could fall off the scaffolding.
Applying roofing materials at great heights is also dangerous. Anytime a construction worker is on a roof, there is a potential that he or she will fall and become seriously injured or die. The owners of construction companies and the foreman who manages construction crews have to ensure their employees are safe. Due to the risky nature of roofing, New York City roofing companies must follow many safety requirements.
Injuries Caused By Fall Accidents on Construction Sites
When construction workers fall from a distance of six feet or more, they can suffer serious injuries. Even when a worker falls from a lower distance, they can still become injured. Whether a construction worker falls from a scaffold or falls into a utility hole, there’s always a risk of serious injury. Some of the most common injuries associated with falls on construction sites include the following:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Amputation
- Severe abrasions or burns
- Internal organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Permanent disability
- Death
These types of injuries have devastating effects on the injured construction workers and their families. Victims of construction accidents typically face substantial medical expenses and undergo a painful, costly, and time-consuming recovery.
Common Causes of Fall Accidents on Construction Sites
Many construction site accidents could have been prevented had the employer or foreman followed safety procedures and given employees the necessary equipment. Lack of protection against falls is one of the most frequent causes of construction accident injuries. In some cases, employers fail to provide construction workers with the equipment to stay safe while working at great heights. Employers may fail to give employees fall protection systems, covers, guardrails, and other systems to prevent construction site falls.
In other cases, employers fail to properly train construction employees about known risks and hazards when working at great heights. The employer may fail to teach the employee how to operate safety equipment properly. Finally, when employees work in dangerous settings, such as the unprotected side of a building or scaffolding, worksite debris can cause accidents. Employers should ensure that construction sites are free of debris and have working equipment to prevent fall injuries.
Proving Liability in a Fall Accident on a Construction Site
When employers fail to keep their employees safe, don’t provide them with the right equipment, or fail to ensure the equipment is well-maintained, they can be responsible for their employees’ injuries. If you’ve been injured in a fall accident on a construction site, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. In New York, accident victims have a right to bring a lawsuit for compensation against the person or company whose actions or negligence caused their injuries.
Determining who failed to meet the safety standards can be challenging. Attorney Frank J. Dito knows how to investigate construction site accidents thoroughly. He will interview witnesses, gather evidence such as video footage and photos, and work with experts to determine how your construction accident occurred. He has extensive experience negotiating with defendants and insurance companies to obtain the best settlement amount or verdict possible. If you are unsure whether you should seek workers’ compensation benefits or pursue a lawsuit, we recommend scheduling a free initial consultation with Frank J. Dito to discuss your case.
The Difference Between Workers’ Compensation and a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If you were injured after a fall accident as a construction worker, you would be entitled to workers’ compensation payments. Workers’ compensation provides workers who’ve been injured on the job weekly cash benefits. You will not have to prove that your employer was at fault to obtain workers’ compensation benefits. Instead, you will only need to prove that you were injured on the job. If you slipped and fell while working a construction job, you will be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
However, if you apply for and obtain workers’ compensation benefits, you will not be allowed to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. Workers’ compensation benefits can help you pay your bills, but the compensation you can recover through them is typically less than you could recover through a personal injury lawsuit. Deciding to pursue a personal injury lawsuit will typically offer you the most potential for a higher award of damages.
Contact a Staten Island and Brooklyn Fall Accident Lawyer Today
Have you or your loved one been seriously injured in a fall on a construction site? If so, attorney Frank J. Dito will advocate for you to obtain the compensation you deserve. Construction accident victims often suffer debilitating injuries that prevent them from working for weeks, months, or even years. Attorney Frank J. Dito will work tirelessly to hold the person or company who caused your injury accountable, giving you and your family the financial security you need. Contact the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito today to schedule your free initial consultation.