New York construction workers face some of the most dangerous working conditions. The construction industry is one of the top five industries with the highest percentage of injury rates. Construction accidents are often severe, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death. If you or your loved one have become injured at a construction site in Orange County, NY, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Attorney Michael LoGiudice, LLP has a proven track record of obtaining total compensation for construction accident victims. Construction accident lawsuits are often difficult to navigate and complex. Working with an experienced attorney can help you understand your options, make informed decisions about your case, and pursue the most compensation possible. Contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation and learn more about his options.
What Are the Common Causes of New York Construction Accidents?
The construction industry is crucial for the American economy. Construction workers enter job sites daily knowing they could suffer a significant injury or fatality due to the many hazards they face. New York is home to many large construction firms. Going a week without seeing a construction site in New York is unusual, especially during warmer months. Unfortunately, many construction accidents are caused by negligence or recklessness and could have been prevented. Some of the most common types of causes of construction accidents you will see in Orange County, New York include the following:
- Lifting heavy objects can cause back and shoulder injuries
- Unstable surfaces pose a danger on job sites
- Collapsing walls, trenches, building materials, and other unsecured structures
- Electrical accidents caused by proximity to high-voltage equipment and power lines
- Exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals causing chemical burns
Falling Objects and Falls from Great Heights
Construction managers must ensure that their scaffolding is safe and that employees tie down any objects that could fall. Pedestrians can suffer serious injuries when materials or tools fall off of scaffolding or other high-up worksites, especially in cities with skyscrapers. Construction workers risk being injured on roofs, ladders, and cranes. According to the BLS, trips, falls, and slips account for over 20% of all fatal occupational injuries in the New York construction industry.
Injuries from Faulty Equipment and Power Tools
When construction managers and forepeople fail to ensure their machines are well-maintained, the machines can malfunction. Construction workers must use many types of heavy machinery and power tools. When these tools malfunction due to defects or are poorly maintained, victims can suffer amputations, crushing injuries, or even death.
Dangerous tools such as nail guns, drills, saws, hammers, knives, and grinders can all cause serious injuries to New York construction workers. Any job site that requires working around heavy machinery and other types of equipment can pose a risk for construction workers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other innocent victims near the construction site.
Injuries Caused By Working in Confined Spaces
Construction workers frequently work in small, confined spaces, including storm drains, pipelines, tunnels, trenches, septic tanks, and shafts. In these tight spaces, workers can become injured due to collapsing or shifting materials. Employees are more likely to suffer exposure to dangerous chemicals when working in confined spaces without ventilation.
Types of Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents
Suffering a construction site accident carries a terrible cost. Victims may sustain injuries that prevent them from returning to work. You may face staggering medical expenses, especially if catastrophic injuries have occurred. Injuries range from repetitive motion injuries that lead to herniated or slipped discs to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Other injuries caused by construction accidents include the following:
- Amputation
- Disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Severe contusions
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Severe burns
- Electrocution-related injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
Proving Liability in a Construction Accident Case
Every construction job site is different. As a result, even accident claims filed by a construction worker will be different. Many different types of negligence cause dangerous situations that result in injuries. Whether the cause of the accident is a defective scaffold, poor working conditions, faulty safety equipment, or even wrongful death, multiple parties may be at fault for the accident.
Attorney Michael LoGiudice, LLP has the resources and network necessary to thoroughly investigate the facts of your case to determine which party or parties are liable for your damages. Some of the possible defendants in a construction accident fall into one or more of the following categories:
- General contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Engineers
- Architects
- Equipment manufacturers, retailers, or wholesalers
What Damages Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Help Me Recover?
The consequences of a construction accident aren’t limited to the resulting injuries. The trauma and pain from the injuries can lead to severe emotional, physical, and financial consequences for the injury victim and his or her family members. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit can help you recover damages for the following types of expenses:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Loss of wages
- Reduction of future earning capacity
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Recovery expenses
- Therapy or counseling treatment
- Loss of consortium for surviving family members
- Pain and suffering
If you were injured while working at a construction site, you would likely be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. Before applying for benefits, you must waive your right to pursue a claim against your employer for damages. If your employer’s negligence caused your injuries, pursuing a legal claim may be the best option.
Contact an Aggressive Construction Accident Attorney in New York
If you have been seriously injured in a construction accident in or around Orange County that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to damages for your financial losses and pain and suffering. When you work with Michael LoGiudice, LLP, you can rest assured that we will take aggressive action against the negligent party or parties who caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. We do not charge clients for legal fees or costs until we will. Contact Michael LoGiudice, LLP today to schedule a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.