Electrocution Injuries on New York Construction Sites
An attorney you can trust to fight for full compensation.
Working on construction sites, especially in urban areas, means being close to electrical hazards. New York has laws intended to protect workers from the dangers of electrocution, and when companies don’t follow the law, the injured worker has legal rights. An experienced electrocution accident lawyer can protect them.
Keogh Crispi, P.C. has a strong track record of results for injured construction workers, including several million-dollar and multi-million-dollar recoveries. If you were injured or lost a loved one on a New York construction site, we would be glad to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.
How do electrical injuries happen on construction sites?
Contact with electricity can do massive damage to the body, depending on the source of the current, the strength of the electricity, and the duration of exposure. In general, there are four main types of electrical injuries: electric shock, burns, falls caused by contact with electricity, and fatal electrocution. The causes of electrocution accidents include:
- Failure to de-energize wires or follow lockout/tagout procedures on powered equipment
- Poorly maintained cords, power tools and machinery
- Improperly grounding wires
- Poor lighting and cluttered conditions leading to accidental contact
- Miscommunication or failure to communicate regarding electrical hazards
- Failure to use safety equipment
- Cranes striking power lines or other electrified devices
There’s a reason OSHA has identified electrocution as one of the “Fatal Four” construction accidents. Electrocution kills, and electrical safety needs to be a top priority on any construction site. When property owners and construction companies fail to meet safety standards, they need to be held accountable.
We know how to establish liability in electrocution cases.
In New York, Labor Law 200 establishes the responsibility of general contractors and property owners to provide workers with a reasonably safe workplace, including equipment safety. OSHA has also set guidelines for employers to control electrical hazards, such as using insulation and guarding (enclosing) electrical equipment to stop workers from accidentally touching live components. Unfortunately, it’s far too common for construction companies to prioritize speed over safety and cut corners on electrical safety. When that happens, serious injuries can follow.
Depending on the circumstances, any or all of the following may be liable for an electrical injury:
- Property owner
- General contractor
- Subcontractor
- Engineer or architect
- Equipment manufacturer
To recover the monetary compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses due to the injury, you need to prove that someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your injury. In the chaotic environment of a construction site, getting to the bottom of what happened can be difficult. That’s where we come in. We review physical evidence, talk to witnesses, analyze reports, and if necessary, hire experts to help us determine who was responsible for your injury and build the case for the compensation you deserve.
Our legal team is always prepared.
Electrocution accidents are usually high-stakes cases, whether we’re going up against a construction company, an equipment manufacturer, or both. We prepare every case for trial because that’s how we get the best results for injured workers. We put in the effort to prove liability and to demonstrate the full extent of the damage the accident has done to your life. When the insurance company sees we’re prepared to take them to court, they have every incentive to pay up. If they don’t, we are ready to go before a judge and jury.
Throughout the process, we will deal with the day-to-day interactions with the insurance company and keep you informed of the status of your case. We also include you in our strategic discussions and make sure you’re prepared for each step in the process. You know what happened, and your story is the key to the case. Our job is to help you tell it in a manner that protects your rights.
We represent injured workers and their families on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything out of pocket. We only get paid if we win your case. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to electrocution, talk to a lawyer right away. Contact us online or give us a call today to speak with an experienced electrocution accident attorney.