INJURED ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE? AN EXPERIENCED NEW YORK CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP YOU RECOVER COMPENSATION.
New York City is renowned for its architecture. Its magnificent skyline is filled with skyscrapers that are famous throughout the world, and its unparalleled infrastructure makes a city of more than eight million people possible. None of this would exist without the skill and dedication of the city’s construction workers. But though they help define the Big Apple, the fact remains that building tradespeople face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the construction industry has the highest rate of fatal injuries of any private employment sector, with 986 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent construction workers across the country in 2021 alone. This disturbing data was reflected in New York City, which saw 22 deaths on construction jobs that same year, the most of any profession. Even non-fatal construction accidents take a heavy toll. The BLS finds that approximately 130,000 construction workers per year miss work because of injury – representing 8.5 percent of the total lost days of work nationwide.
The men and women of the New York construction industry give so much to our city, but at great personal cost, with the threat of serious, sometimes deadly injuries always just around the corner. If the worst should happen, how will they protect themselves and their families?
When disaster strikes on a New York construction site, The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny will be there to help.
Richard is no stranger to the challenges that members of the building trades face because he was one, supporting himself as a union construction worker by day while earning his law degree by night. His unique background equips our firm with firsthand knowledge about the industry and its practices, allowing us to assemble the strongest construction accident cases possible.
If you have been injured on a construction site, contact The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our New York construction accident lawyers. You may call us at (212) 421-0300 or fill out the case evaluation form below.
How Do Construction Accidents Happen?
The construction industry employs an estimated 528,000 people throughout the state of New York – about one in 18 workers statewide. These individuals put their faith in construction work to support their families. Unfortunately, this faith may be resting on shaky ground, particularly in New York City, where construction accidents have been rising dramatically. The New York City Department of Buildings recorded a 9.7 percent increase in the number of construction site incidents, injuries, and deaths in 2022.
Construction accidents can take place for any number of reasons. Nevertheless, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that the top four causes of fatal construction accidents are:
● Falls – More than a third of construction deaths involve falling from a significant height;
● Struck-By – Approximately 11.1 percent of deadly accidents occur when someone is hit by an object;
● Electrocutions – About 8.5 percent of construction site victims die from electric shock; and
● Caught-In/Between – An average of 5.5 percent of construction workers killed are trapped in crush accidents.
More than half of all construction fatalities fit into one of these categories, though this list is by no means comprehensive. The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny can represent you for practically any type of construction accident, including:
● Scaffolding Collapses or Falls
● Ironworker Accidents
● Ladder Collapses or Falls
● Trench Cave-Ins
● Accidents from Unsafe Property Conditions
● Supervisor Negligence Errors
● Truck and Heavy Equipment Accidents
● Nail Gun Accidents
● Lifting Injuries
● Explosions
● Building Collapses
● Injuries to Illegal or Undocumented Workers
You certainly do not have to go anywhere near a building under construction to have an accident. However, there are certain risks common to construction sites that can make them especially dangerous locations, such as:
● Property Defects
● Malfunctioning Equipment
● Insufficient Coverage from Falling Materials
● Lax Fall Prevention Safeguards on High Structures
● Inadequate Shielding for Power Sources
● Trip Hazards
● Open Trenches
● Poor Containment of Toxic Chemicals
Unsafe conditions such as these could be a sign of negligence, which is an essential component of any successful injury claim. Our construction accident attorneys are available to advise you free of charge about the actions you may take.
Not All Construction Accident Victims Work in Construction
While the vast majority of construction accidents happen to construction workers, they are not the only victims. Far too often, pedestrians, motorists, and innocent bystanders may be harmed by debris or other materials falling from high-rise structures or passing construction vehicles. Equipment malfunctions and improper construction work can also damage nearby structures, ignite rapidly spreading fires, and create catastrophes that could impact residents near a construction site.
Construction supervisors have an obligation under the law to protect everyone in the vicinity, not just workers. If you are the innocent victim of a project under construction, contact The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny for a free case evaluation.
Who Is at Fault for a Construction Accident?
Construction projects can be massive undertakings, with dozens of craftspeople or more working on many tasks at the same time in order to achieve a common goal. Different parties handle different aspects of construction, but on any project, there are those who are responsible for making sure that the workers have the tools and the safety equipment they need to do their jobs without suffering preventable harm.
New York law does not permit employers to simply dispatch their employees to a construction site without taking steps to ensure their well-being. Contractors and other building trades employers in New York City have a duty to:
● Assess construction sites for potential hazards;
● Create and implement a comprehensive safety plan;
● Obtain protective equipment to prevent falls and other mishaps; and
● Educate all employees on the proper use of tools and machinery to avoid injury.
If an employer fails to implement sound precautionary measures, terrible construction injuries can occur, including:
● Fractures/Broken Bones
● Burns
● Traumatic Brain Injury
● Spinal Cord Trauma
● Visual Impairment/Blindness
● Hearing Loss
● Amputated Limbs
● Organ Damage
● Respiratory Disease
● Repetitive Stress Injuries
● Poisoning
● Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
● Psychological and Emotional Distress
● Paralysis
● Coma
● Death
These medical events can be physically, emotionally, and economically devastating. If you have been hurt on a construction site, reach out to The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny to learn what you can do to keep yourself and your family from the brink of financial ruin. Please fill out the form below or call our office at (212) 421-0300 to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our capable New York construction accident lawyers.
What Should You Do After a Construction Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of a construction accident, there are a number of steps you should take to preserve your legal rights and the value of any potential case. Always remember to:
● Seek Medical Treatment – Your health is the most important thing, so if you are hurt, seek immediate medical attention. Any gap in treatment may hinder your chances of fully recovering from your injuries, and it may be used to cast doubt on the causal relationship between these injuries and the construction accident.
● Notify your employer – Tell your employer, foreman, or another supervising authority about your construction accident as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the easier it may be for an insurance company to deny that you were injured in the accident or even deny that the incident happened at all.
● Take Pictures – A visual record of the site of a construction accident can be vital in establishing what exactly happened and who may be at fault. Take pictures of your injuries, all structural damages, the tools or vehicles involved, and any hazards present. Change is the norm on a construction site, so be sure to capture whatever defective conditions harmed you before they are repaired.
● Gather Witness Information and Statements – Eyewitness accounts could provide objective independent support for your version of events in a construction accident case.
● Avoid Talking to the Insurance Company – Any statements you give about your construction accident to the insurance company can be used against you, so avoid talking to insurance representatives if possible, at least until you…
● Speak to an Attorney – A seasoned construction accident attorney can advise you of your rights under New York law and answer any questions you may have about your legal remedies.
What a Construction Accident Attorney Can Do for You
Why should you consider hiring an attorney? What can a lawyer do for you that you cannot do on your own if you are injured on a construction site?
Construction accident litigation can be as complex as large construction projects themselves. It requires comprehensive knowledge of the law and deep familiarity with the industry and its practices.
This is where The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny can be invaluable. Our veteran construction accident lawyers have a rock solid understanding of how construction sites operate. They are also fully versed in state and local laws and building safety codes, as well as all federal regulations enforced by OSHA. After you retain our services, we will initiate an immediate investigation to uncover any legal violations or jobsite negligence that may have contributed to your construction accident.
Even more importantly, we will identify and pursue everyone who may be responsible for your injuries within the time permitted by law, known as the Statute of Limitations. This can be especially challenging in construction accident claims because of how many parties may be involved.
In addition to the building and/or property owner, a large construction project typically has a general contractor overseeing it. There are usually other contractors who work on different aspects of construction as well, and they may in turn employ subcontractors to help them. Each party has different legal and contractual duties, and our firm will determine if a breach of these duties contributed to your accident.
Once we have identified all of the liable parties and gathered the evidence needed to present a compelling case, we will work to negotiate a fair settlement from the defendants and their insurers, one that reflects all of the damages you have suffered. If we do not receive a reasonable offer, we are more than willing to take the matter before a judge or jury, unlike many of our competitors who rarely step foot inside a courtroom. In fact, we have represented clients in hundreds of trials throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
You are already shouldering a burden just by trying to recover from your injuries. Let the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny do the heavy lifting on your construction accident case.
How Much Compensation Is Available for a Construction Accident?
Every construction accident is different. How much compensation you receive will depend upon a number of elements, including the facts leading up to the incident, the available insurance coverage, and the extent of the damages sustained. Generally speaking, any settlement or verdict for your construction accident case might take into account:
● Medical Bills – The costs associated with hospitalization, surgeries, medications, therapy, assistive devices, and past, current, and future treatment may be considered.
● Wage Loss – You may be able to make a claim for wages you lost because your injuries prevented you from working. You might also seek damages for any negative impact to your future earning potential in the event of permanent physical impairment.
● Pain and Suffering – Your compensation may reflect your physical discomfort, psychological and emotional distress, and other non-economic diminishments of your quality of life from the construction accident.
● Loss of Consortium – The spouse of a construction accident victim may be eligible to recover economically for any deprivation of the benefits of an intimate relationship related to the injuries sustained.
● Punitive Damages – In order to discourage similar misconduct from others, New York courts sometimes impose additional financial penalties on defendants who demonstrated “willful or wanton negligence” or a “high degree of moral turpitude.”
We will always fight to get you compensated for all of your physical, emotional, and economic losses.
No Cost to You Up Front
If you retain The Law Office of Richard M. Kenny, there will be no cost to you up front because we work on a contingency fee basis. Only once our construction accident attorneys successfully resolve your case will our firm receive reimbursement for our out-of-pocket expenses and a fee for our services, usually as a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
We never get paid until you get paid, and the more you get paid, the more we get paid. This mutually beneficial arrangement will save you additional costs at a time when you may least be able to afford them.
DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH A NEW YORK CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on a construction site – or if you have lost a loved one in a construction accident – place your trust in our experienced, passionate construction accident attorneys. Allow proven attorney and former construction worker Richard M. Kenny and his legal team to review your case and discuss how our personal injury law firm can help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
Fill out the form below or call (212) 421-0300 to request a free consultation on your legal options with an NYC construction accident lawyer at the Law Office of Richard M. Kenny.
