Scaffolding is an essential tool for building, renovation, and other types of urban development. However, scaffolding can be incredibly dangerous when certain precautions aren’t taken, and safety equipment isn’t readily available. Poor scaffolding safety measures can lead to collapses, falling injuries, falling object incidents, and even electrocution.
If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident due to the negligence of an employer, contractor, building owner, or another party, you deserve compensation for your medical bills and other losses. At Morelli Law, we have the experience to obtain damage on your behalf and the past case results to prove it.
We’ve won significant settlements for scaffold and construction accident victims in New York, including $1.6 million for an electrician whose scaffolding moved unexpectedly. Contact a Buffalo Scaffold Accident Lawyer from our firm to get the help you need to win your case.
How Scaffold Accident Lawyer in Buffalo, NY, Can Help You
An attorney can perform a variety of services to make sure you get the most compensation possible for your injuries, pain, and financial losses. First, they’ll discuss your case with you via a free case evaluation. They’ll ask you about the challenges and expenses you’ve faced due to your incident and determine how much compensation you should receive.
Then, they’ll advise you on your best course of action. Depending on your circumstances, they may encourage you to file a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both.
Once they’ve tailored a legal strategy to your unique situation, they’ll gather the evidence necessary to support your case, file the necessary paperwork in a timely manner, and demand that the guilty party offer a fair payment for the economic and non-economic setbacks you’ve endured.
Filing a Workers’ Comp Claim After a Scaffolding Injury
If your best option is to file a workers’ comp claim with your employer’s insurance company, a scaffolding injury lawyer can help you do so. An attorney can take care of all the necessary paperwork, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and even file an appeal if your claim is rejected.
That said, there are two things you can do to ensure your claim is successful. The first and one of the most important actions you can take following a scaffolding accident is to report your injury to your employer. According to New York law, all workers’ comp claimants must notify their employer within 30 days of the incident.
You’ll also want to seek treatment from a medical provider that’s approved by your employer’s insurance company. Getting care from an unapproved provider could prevent you from getting the money you need to pay your medical bills, so this step is critical.
If your scaffold accident attorney from Buffalo files a successful claim, you could receive the following types of compensation:
- Medical costs
- Ambulance fees
- Physical therapy expenses
- A portion of your lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Survivor benefits, if your loved one passed away in a scaffolding incident
Buffalo Scaffold Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Pursuing Damages via a Personal Injury Lawsuit
New York scaffolding law offers a number of protections to workers who use scaffolding. The law requires scaffolding to be placed in safe locations, to have proper railing, to be attached securely, and to meet several other important safety requirements.
The state also requires scaffolding job sites to have a “competent person” who can look out for safety hazards and other issues that might cause an accident. If your construction company, contractor, or site manager’s violation of scaffolding law resulted in your injury, you have the right to hold them liable via a personal injury lawsuit.
A Scaffolding accident attorney in Buffalo, NY, can help you collect evidence to back up your suit, ensure your suit is filed on time, and represent your best interests in court. During the trial, they’ll demand that the court award you the following damages:
- Lost wages that you don’t receive from a workers’ comp claim
- Future monetary losses caused by lasting injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Professions That Are Protected by Scaffolding Law
Workers from a variety of different professions may be eligible to file a lawsuit under the state’s scaffolding law. Reach out to our scaffold accident lawyer in Buffalo today if you were injured in such an incident while performing labor in one of the following fields:
- Altering
- Cleaning
- Demolishing
- Erecting
- Painting
- Pointing
- Repairing
Filing a Lawsuit Alongside a Workers’ Comp Claim
In most cases, injured workers are able to file a workers’ comp claim against their employer and a suit against the site manager or party that violated the state’s scaffolding law. If you’re eligible to pursue compensation from two different parties, our Buffalo scaffold accident attorneys will do everything they can to secure the highest amount possible from both cases.
Filing Deadline for Scaffold Accident Suits in Buffalo
If our Buffalo scaffold accident lawyers advise you to pursue a lawsuit against the party that caused your incident, you’ll have a strict filing deadline. Under CVP § 214, you have three years from the date of your accident to submit a civil suit. Failure to comply with this statute of limitations will likely stop you from collecting the damages you’re owed.
If you’re pursuing compensation on behalf of a spouse or family member who died due to injuries suffered in a scaffolding accident, you’ll have two years from the date of their passing to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Whether you’re filing a suit for yourself or a deceased loved one, our compassionate attorneys will guide you through the legal process from start to finish.
Meet With a Skilled Scaffolding Injury Attorney
Suffering a serious injury in a scaffolding accident can put you out of work for weeks, leave you with a mountain of medical bills, and result in a great deal of pain and suffering. To get the financial remedies you need to make it through your recovery and cope with the setbacks you’re facing, you’ll need the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Since 1998, the attorneys at Morelli Law have represented injured construction and scaffolding workers throughout New York. We put all our time and resources into every case we work on, and it shows when you read the testimonials we’ve received from past clients.
If you want to give yourself the best chances possible at recovering a fair settlement or jury award, schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled Buffalo scaffold accident lawyer today.