Despite regulations that are meant to reduce the danger of working in construction, accidents do happen, and some lead to workplace fatalities, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Some causes of construction worker fatalities on job sites include:
- Falls
- Electrocution
- Struck by objects
- Caught inside or between machinery
Non-fatal injuries are possible in the construction field. The reason the construction field is more dangerous than other occupations is the use of power tools and heavy machinery. Some construction jobs involve repairing large buildings, which can increase the risk of falls.
Injuries sustained by construction workers can be severe and disabling on construction sites, including:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Impact injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
When you sustain injuries while working in construction, a Yonkers construction accident lawyer can pursue damages for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Construction employers are required to follow safety guidelines to ensure their workers are not injured while working. Unfortunately, many construction companies fail to follow all safety regulations, which can make employers liable for injuries in the workplace. When injuries prevent you from working, your injuries may prevent you from earning a paycheck.
Losing your income from a construction accident can make it difficult to pay your monthly expenses and provide for your dependents. New York Civil Practice Laws & Rules section 214 requires personal injury claims to be filed within three years of your injuries. If you fail to file a complaint before the statute of limitations expires, your claim can be dismissed, barring you from recovering compensation for your injuries.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your personal injury claim.
Workplace Accidents
When you are hurt at work, your employer can be liable. It is important to receive immediate medical care when you are hurt at work. Worker’s compensation laws require you to receive medical treatment and document your injuries. If you fail to receive medical treatment, you may be unable to receive compensation for lost wages and medical bills.
Receiving medical care also demonstrates the severity of your injuries and whether they will limit your ability to work in the future. Workplace accidents can be the result of an unsafe work environment, such as defective equipment and tools. If your injuries occurred because a tool was defective, a Yonkers construction accident lawyer can pursue a claim against the manufacturer.
Discussing your injuries with a Yonkers construction accident lawyer ensures that you protect your legal claims. A Yonkers construction accident lawyer can collect evidence to uncover the cause of your workplace injury. For example, if your employer was previously cited for violating safety regulations, it can validate your claim.
When you sustain injuries at work, it is important to:
- Keep copies of medical bills
- Complete all treatment your doctor recommends
- File a worker’s compensation claim
- Document your injury-related expenses
- Discuss when you can return to work with your doctor
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your personal injury claim.
Liability
New York practices a comparative negligence rule which allows you to collect damages even if you are partially liable for your injuries. The percentage you are at fault for your injuries is deducted from your judgment. That means if you were injured during work, but were not wearing safety equipment, you may recover damages even if your failure to wear safety equipment impacted the severity of your injuries.
A Yonkers construction accident lawyer can prove liability by:
- Reviewing your employer’s accident history
- Interviewing witnesses
- Collecting medical records
- Reviewing video footage of your accident, if available
- Acquiring copies of accident reports from your employer
Your claims may involve multiple liable parties, as some construction companies are required to have liability insurance. That means your economic losses may be reimbursed by your employer’s insurance provider. Failing to identify liable parties when you file your complaint can impact your ability to recover damages. You have the option to consult a Yonkers construction accident lawyer after your injury.
Yonkers Construction Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Damages
A Yonkers construction accident lawyer may recover economic and noneconomic damages from the responsible parties. New York does not cap economic and noneconomic damages in personal injury claims involving construction accidents.
Economic
Economic losses are the actual financial costs you paid as a result of your injuries. Economic losses must be caused by the accident that caused your injuries. You can prove your economic losses by providing copies of bills or proof that your injuries resulted in a loss of income.
When your injuries require medical treatment, those bills are considered economic losses. If you are responsible for hospital or prescription medication costs following a construction accident, a Yonkers construction accident lawyer can recover those losses through economic damages. If your injuries require long-term treatment, those costs can be considered economic losses.
That makes it important to retain copies of the bills associated with your accident.
Noneconomic
Severe injuries can cause you to suffer additional damages that you cannot prove by providing copies of bills. Non-economic losses consider how the injuries impact your emotional wellbeing and quality of life. If a construction accident caused you to lose the use of an important bodily function, non-economic damages for loss of consortium can be awarded.
Juries can consider how your injuries impact your future happiness, as injuries that prevent you from engaging in the same activities you participated in before your accident can cause loss of enjoyment. If your injuries are disabling, a Yonkers construction accident lawyer can request compensation for diminished earning capacity and future lost earnings. When your injuries cause emotional harm, such as trauma, juries may award noneconomic damages for mental anguish. Under
Call Morelli Law Firm Today
When you are hurt while working, injuries can impact your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. Suffering a severe injury can prevent you from returning to work or fully enjoying life, which may allow a Yonkers construction accident lawyer to file a personal injury claim and recover financial compensation for your losses.
Call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation to discuss whether you are entitled to financial compensation from a construction injury.