Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog
Construction accidents are not only physically painful, they can be scary in that they can create uncertainty about your personal and professional future. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you need legal counsel without delay. Our Syracuse construction accident lawyers are committed to helping hurt workers recover the compensation they need to move on with their life.
Construction Accidents Soaring
Construction related deaths have doubled and injuries have risen by 17 percent amid the building boom in New York. In fact, eight people died in construction accidents in the first seven months of 2018 compared to four over the same time period in 2017, according to the city Buildings Department. Through July of this year, approximately 469 people were injured in 457 on-the-job accidents.
Liability in Construction Accident Cases
Under New York law, individuals who are injured on the job are covered by Workers’ Compensation. Fortunately, workers’ compensation is not the only option to those who are injured at the workplace. While New York law prevents construction workers from suing their employers, it does not preclude them from pursing damages from other third parties who were at-fault for the accident. A third party is someone other than the worker’s employer or co-worker and may include contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers and any other third parties who may have played a role in the accident.
The vast majority of these third party claims are based on the legal theory of negligence. A negligence lawsuit alleges that the third party failed to use reasonable care and that failure was the direct and proximate cause of the construction worker’s harm. Reasonable care is defined as how a sensible or prudent person would have acted under the same or similar circumstances.
Damages in Construction Accident Cases
Once negligence is established, the at-fault party must pay the worker’s accident-related expenses. It is important to note that filing a lawsuit against a third-party allow a victim to pursue damages that are not covered by workers’ compensation. New York workers’ compensation only covers your medical expenses and part of your lost wages. A personal injury lawsuit, on the other hand, allows an injured worker to recover all of your lost wages, medical expenses and provides for things like pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
Skilled Syracuse Construction Accident Attorneys
Construction accident can lead to injuries that affect workers for a lifetime. Unfortunately, these accidents are more common than you may think because construction companies often prioritize profits over safety. If you have been injured in a workplace accident, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our reputable Syracuse construction accident attorneys understand how to navigate this area of law. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, you can rest assured that we know how to build the strongest possible case on your behalf. Call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Tire Accident Kills New York City Police Department Employee on Expressway, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, August 31, 2018
New York Medical Malpractice Involving Keratitis, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, August 24, 2018
Medical Malpractice in New York Can Be Caused by Language Barriers, Syracuse Personal Injury Blog, August 17, 2018