A construction accident attorney in NYC reveals what you should know
Many construction projects involve putting up buildings that rise several stories above street level, and workers do their jobs while high off the ground. There are numerous safety precautions that must be taken by law to protect workers. Failure to follow all of these precautions can result in a fall from height, which is one of the most common and dangerous types of construction accidents.
That seems to be exactly what happened at a construction site in Staten Island this past August.
A worker fell from the sixth floor to the fifth floor at 2111 Richmond Terrace, where a seven-story self-storage warehouse is being built. Emergency crews responded and the worker was taken to a nearby hospital with a head injury. The city’s Department of Buildings (DOB) said the worker was in stable condition.
Safety violations by contractor discovered
The agency also issued a full stop-work order at the site after conducting an investigation. They determined that the worker was in a controlled access zone, where fall safety prevention measures are required. The worker was wearing a harness, but it was not properly tied off, according to Andrew Rudansky, DOB spokesman.
Rudansky said violations were also issued to the contractor, Hudson River Contracting, for “failure to institute safety measures at the worksite, failure to install and maintain vertical safety netting, and for providing an inadequate pre-shift safety meeting for the workers on site.”
Under the state of New York’s Labor Law 240, also known as the “Scaffold Law,” general contractors and property owners are responsible for taking certain steps to protect workers from falls when they are working high above the ground.
The reason for this law, as well other laws protecting workers, is that a fall from a height can cause devastating injuries. These include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones, among others. Medical treatment is required, and recovering from these injuries can often take months or years. Some injured workers never fully recover and are left with a permanent disability.
How a construction accident lawyer can help
If you were hurt in a fall from height at a construction site, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible to learn your options. In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you may be able to recover financial compensation from certain negligent parties. We believe that these negligent parties should be held accountable.
Our team will investigate to get the facts. That involves gathering and preserving evidence, carefully reviewing documentation, interviewing witnesses, and more. Our law firm knows how to prove that a contractor or property owner failed to meet legal safety requirements.
We also know how to prepare a strong case and make it clear we are prepared to take it in front of a jury, if necessary. Many times, we are able to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that meets your needs.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced NYC construction accident lawyer.