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Construction Accidents

Hundreds of thousands of people working in New York State are construction workers. This job is not only necessary to support the infrastructure of our state, but it also comes with a significant degree of danger. Construction workers throughout Westchester County, New York City, and the surrounding areas are often subject to serious workplace injuries. If you have been injured on a construction site, Mr. Santo will help ensure that you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to under the state’s workers’ compensation laws..

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS

With so many components of a construction site, many of which are dangerous, it is no wonder that accidents happen all the time. Some of the most common construction site accidents that our firm handles include the following:

  • Falls
  • Scaffolding accidents
  • Nail gun accidents
  • Ladder accidents
  • Falling debris
  • Explosions
  • Electrocutions
  • Building collapses

Of course, these are very serious accidents that can cause life-threatening injuries to a worker and sometimes, may even be fatal. It is also important to note that there are a significant number of injured bystanders each year due to falling debris from above.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS

If you were injured while working on a construction site in New York, chances are, you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that most employers are required to carry for times when employees become injured at work. If you are injured on the job, it is important that you inform your supervisor or employer as soon as possible. If you wish to receive workers’ compensation benefits, it is important that you notify your employer in writing within 30 days of the accident. Additionally, if you wish to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must do so within two years of the accident. If you fail to do so, you may lose your rights to collect workers’ compensation benefits. Another important factor to note is that you are only permitted to receive treatment from a medical provider that is chosen by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier. If you fail to do so, you may have to pay out of pocket for treatment.

THIRD PARTY LAWSUITS

If you are injured on a construction site, you may be able to take action against a third party. In some cases, injuries are the fault of other actors, including the property owner and the manufacturer or designer of tools and safety equipment, to provide an example. In these cases, you may have a case to bring against a third party. When this is the case, it is your right to take legal action, but if you were to also file for workers’ compensation, you may be responsible to pay back what you were provided by the insurance carrier. These situations can sometimes lead to third-party liens, a court order placed on your potential award to return money that was used to support you after an injury.