Valley Stream Construction Accident Lawyer
Although construction is one of the most important industries in New York, it is also one of the most dangerous. In fact, being employed in construction is so perilous that New York lawmakers enacted a series of laws that specifically require general contractors and other construction industry employers to take steps to keep their employees safe. When an employee is injured due to an employer’s failure to fulfill these duties, he or she could be entitled to damages. To learn more about construction accident claims, please call our office today and set up a meeting with one of our dedicated Valley Stream construction accident lawyers.
Common Construction Accidents
Construction work often involves high risk activities, including grueling hours, working at great heights, using heavy machinery, and working with explosives. While all of these activities are dangerous and often result in injury, certain types of injuries do tend to occur more often than others and are usually the result of:
- Falls from improperly assembled scaffolding, unsecured ladders, and defectively designed elevated platforms;
- Being struck by a falling object, including crane loads and tools, as well as building materials like lumber, beams, and concrete;
- Accidents involving malfunctioning equipment;
- Electrocution from exposed power lines or faulty wiring;
- Accidents involving dangerous tools, like jackhammers, cranes, and overloaded forklifts;
- Slip and fall accidents involving uneven ground, holes, or general disorder;
- Fires and explosions caused by the use of flammable chemicals and gases, leaking pipes, and non-grounded wiring;
- Getting caught or crushed, often between heavy equipment, large vehicles, or collapsing structures;
- Vehicle collisions involving large trucks and specialized machinery; and
- Trench collapses resulting from a failure to properly shore up and guard the trenches themselves, a lack of adequate exits, or sub-par inspections.
Of these accidents, falls, getting struck by an object, electrocution, and caught-in/between accidents account for as many as half of all construction worker deaths. Fortunately, recognizing the risk facing construction workers, New York lawmakers instituted a series of laws aimed at protecting those employed in this industry.
New York Construction-Related Labor Laws
New York has a number of laws on the books that require construction companies to provide workers with basic protections. One New York statute, known as the Scaffold Law, for instance, requires employers to follow certain rules when constructing, placing, and operating scaffolding, ladders, and other elevation-risk safety devices. For instance, all scaffolding should have sufficient rigging to support the load, fully planked platforms, adequate counterweights, and even footings. The same statute also provides relief to construction workers who are injured by falling objects, whether they are working on an elevated work surface, on the ground, or even in a sub-grade trench or basement. Another state law requires employers to use safe procedures when excavating, demolishing, or constructing new buildings to protect workers from cave-ins and other hazards, like electrocution.
When a worker is injured due to a general contractor’s violation of these laws, the injured employee can file a lawsuit alleging a violation of state labor laws. If successful, injured construction workers could be entitled to recovery for losses that are often not covered by workers’ compensation benefits.
Call Today for Legal Help
Construction accident lawsuits require a thorough understanding of OSHA safety standards and New York labor laws. At Giuffre Law Offices, P.C., our attorneys are well-versed in these issues. Please call us at 516-802-9912 to learn more about the ins and outs of pursuing a construction accident claim.
