Construction sites may be a place of industry and development, but they are also dangerous. To be sure, construction sites are a common place for accidents to occur, and the rate of accident and injury amongst construction workers is greater than the accident rate amongst workers in other industries.
At the law office of The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., our attorneys recognize how serious construction site accidents can be, and we want to help if you’ve been harmed. Whether as an employee or as a layperson, our experienced lawyers can help you to determine who’s liable for your injuries and recover the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Construction Site Accidents
Construction site accidents happen for a variety of reasons and can occur in a myriad of ways. Some of the most common types of construction site accidents include:
- Falls from heights; including objects.
- Slip and falls;
- Caught in or caught in-between machinery;
- Motor vehicle accidents;
- Repetitive stress injuries;
- Fire and explosions;
- Trench or other collapses; and
more.
These accidents are typically the result of negligence. Poor worker training, failing to properly supervise workers, a lack of adherence to safety standards, and defective or faulty equipment can all lead to the above accidents.
Who’s Liable for a Construction Site Accident?
How a person who is injured at a construction site will be compensated for their harm depends on numerous factors, including whether they are a construction employee, or merely a citizen who was passing by the site at the time of injury (e.g. a pedestrian who was struck by a falling object). For workers who are injured on-the-job filing a workers’ compensation claim for compensation is typically the first course of action. A workers’ compensation claim is a type of no-fault benefit claim that provides compensation for all medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. Employers who offer workers’ compensation coverage are protected from personal liability.
Non-employees who are injured will take a different route by filing a personal injury suit against the at-fault party. This might be the construction company, a manufacturer of a product, the owner of the property where the injury occurred, or someone else.
Depending on the circumstances, an injured worker may also be able to sale a personal injury claim of a special type – a third-party liability claim. While an injured worker is barred from filing this type of suit against their employer, they can seek damages against a liable third-party.
Call Our Construction Site Accident Attorneys for Help
If you have been injured at a construction site, you need an advocate on your side who can build your case and help you to recover the compensation award that you deserve. At the law offices of The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., our New York construction site accident lawyers can investigate your case, gather evidence on your behalf, outline your options, and represent you in a claim. We have years of experience and a reputation of success. Please reach out to us today by phone or online to schedule your free consultation and learn more about your options today.