Syracuse Construction Accident Lawyers Recovering Compensation for Injured Workers

The field of construction is often very dangerous for workers due to the substantial amount of heavy equipment and other potential hazards that are present. Because of this, construction workers frequently have a significantly higher risk for both serious and life-threatening workplace injuries than those who are employed in other professions.

Unfortunately, many construction workers sustain their injuries due to negligence and employers not providing a safe work environment. General contractors, subcontractors, third-party vendors, and equipment manufacturers may all be held liable for accidents that occur.

If you have been seriously injured while working on a construction site, you need a qualified construction accident lawyer who understands the multiple aspects of the law encompassing construction accidents, worker’s compensation, personal injury, and other types of possible compensation.

What Causes the Most Construction Site Accidents?

Working on a construction site can be extremely dangerous due to the large amounts of equipment and the nature of the work involved. All too frequently, life-threatening injuries occur in the construction industry due to company leaders trying to cut costs and make a profit.

In most construction accident cases, there seem to be common factors that lead to injury. Some of the most common accidents include the following:

Ladder and scaffolding accidents: These accidents are often caused by a lack of inspection of equipment or the attempt to save costs. Most reported falls on construction sites are due to ladders and scaffolding accidents. Ladder accidents can be extremely dangerous as they often lead to neck and spinal cord injuries.

Explosions: One of the greatest risks to construction workers is potential explosions on the job site. Some of the most frequent causes of blasts are faulty wiring, combustion engines, or hazardous chemicals.

Falling objects: Even though most construction sites require the use of hard hats while in the work area, construction workers are often injured by falling objects. Equipment, tools, or other construction materials can cause significant injuries, especially when falling from several feet in the air. Often, an employer will try to cut costs by not providing the safety equipment necessary to keep workers safe.

Defective equipment: The most common issues with defective equipment involve construction equipment such as forklifts and cranes. Lifts often lack safety features such as lights or sirens that can warn others of the direction in which it is moving. Cranes often suffer from defects that may cause them to drop the load they may be carrying. This, in turn, often leads to workers suffering injuries such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.

If I Am Injured on a Construction Site, Do I Have to File for Workers Compensation?

Under New York law, employers are required to carry a worker’s compensation policy. However, if you have been injured in a construction accident, you are not required to file a claim for worker’s compensation benefits. It should be understood, however, that employers with worker’s compensation coverage are protected, for the most part, from legal action that may be taken by injured employees.

Therefore, if you are an injured construction worker, worker’s compensation benefits may be your only choice in ensuring that you are able to obtain reimbursement or fair compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

In some cases, it is possible to take legal action against someone other than your employer in what is known as a third-party claim. For example, if you are injured by defective equipment on the job, you could sue the equipment manufacturer to recover damages.

You should also be aware that if you do decide to claim worker’s compensation, this does not prevent you from taking action against third parties. Nevertheless, you will bear the burden of proof to show that the damages you are claiming are not covered by your worker’s compensation claim.

What Are My Legal Rights if I am Injured on a Construction Site?

If you are injured on the job, you have an obligation to report your injury to your supervisor within a specific amount of time. Under New York law, the official amount of given time is 30 days. However, a workplace may require that you report the injury within 14 days.

It is vital that you report your injury as soon as possible in order for you to file for worker’s compensation if it becomes necessary. You also have the right to report your injury and employer safety violations to OSHA.

Employers are forbidden by law from retaliating against you for reporting them for wrongdoing. If you suspect that you have been punished for reporting violations, you may be able to pursue a claim against your employer for retaliation.

In cases that involve a falling object, the general contractor may be held accountable for your injuries, depending on the individual circumstances that surround your case.

Why Should I Hire Passalacqua & Associates, LLC to Help Me with My Construction Accident Case?

The construction accident lawyers of Passalacqua & Associates, LLC have a proven track record in Syracuse, NY, and the surrounding areas of being able to recover financial compensation for injured construction workers.

After you have been hurt in a construction accident, the last thing that you need to be worried about is how you will pay mounting medical bills or provide for your family.

Depending on the circumstances that surround your injury, we can help you determine if you are also eligible to file a third-party claim.

Regardless of how the injury occurred, you may be entitled to obtain financial compensation for your construction injuries. Some of the most common damages we can assist you in recovering are those for pain and suffering, lost wages, and even wrongful death if a loved one was killed due to negligence.

Contact our law firm by calling (315) 500-6425 and scheduling a free strategy session with one of our qualified construction accident lawyers. We will be happy to review your claim and help you make a determination on how to move forward with your claim.