Construction Injuries Due to Code Violations in New York
Building and safety codes in New York are in place to do two main things: protect the health of people who are working in construction, and ensure the long-term safety of residents living and working in the buildings they construct. When these codes are not followed properly, injuries and even fatalities can occur. These codes are not arbitrary or put in place just to annoy constructions companies - they exist, typically, in response to unsafe conditions that have caused injuries and deaths in the past.
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a violation of a building or safety code in New York, then compensation may be owed for pain and suffering. Violations of code are usually clear-cut cases of negligence, and when accidents happen as a result, those who violated the code are liable for your injuries and costs. Do not suffer alone - or in silence. Call the experienced NY personal injury lawyers of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP today at (212) 986-7353. We can discuss your case, talk about your options, and help make sure your rights are protected.
What Are Building Codes?
Quite simply, building codes are regulations and requirements created by the New York government to ensure safe conditions on construction sites and in the buildings that they produce. These codes regulate not only the materials used and work conditions on the site, but also the standards in constructing the finished building. They make sure all structures are designed and built in a safe manner so that the risk of injury or death during construction is minimized, and future occupants who live or work in the building are as safe as possible.
Common Types of Codes in New York
Although there are many different building and construction codes in New York, far too many to list here, a few common categories include:
- General Building Codes: These include regulations and laws involving physical aspects of buildings such as fire and smoke protection, accessibility, and the materials used in construction.
- Energy Codes: Energy Codes exist to support conservation when constructing, and, afterward, living or working in a building. They include both local and state laws that encourage and reward energy conservation.
- Fuel Gas Codes: These codes govern how gas piping is installed within and around a building. They are meant to help prevent gas leaks and to offer guidelines on additional structures like chimneys or ventilation.
- Mechanical Codes: These regulations cover mechanical systems like building refrigeration or any solar energy systems. Ventilation and duct systems can also be covered by these codes.
- Plumbing Codes: Plumbing codes include water heaters, fixtures and faucets, and sewage or sanitary drainage. They indicate the types of pipes that can be used for each area as well as storm drainage and water supply systems.
- Electrical Codes: These include older electrical codes as well as updates and revisions to cover a wide range of electrical systems. They regulate the types of systems that can be used in new construction, as well as how to repair and update older electrical systems.
Don't Wait - Call Our NY Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to building or safety code violations, then you deserve compensation for your injuries. Determining where negligence has occurred and who is liable can be difficult, and proving it even more so. Don’t venture into the deep waters of the legal system alone. You deserve an experienced, knowledgeable New York construction accident attorney to represent you and make sure your case is handled properly.
Call the attorneys of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP today at (212) 986-7353. Tell us about your case and we can help you determine the best way to proceed.
Additional Information
- Building or Ceiling Collapse Liability: Who’s Responsible?
- NYC Department of Buildings Considers Using Drones for Safety Inspections
- Filing Lawsuits for NY Building Code or Safety Violations
- Why the Department of Buildings is so Important for Construction Worker and Civilian Safety
- New York Division of Building Standards and Codes (BSC)
- 2022 NYC Construction Codes Updates
Our Construction Accident Case Results
$18 Million - Verdict for Construction Worker Who Fell from a Defective Scaffold
The laborer fell three stories from a defective scaffold and suffered comminuted fractures of his left calcaneus, osteomyelitis in the left heel and a painful neuroma in his foot.
Philip Russotti
$11.76 Million - Labor Law Construction Accident with Single-Level Lumbar Fusion
Frank Lombardo obtained $11.76 million in Queens County for a seriously injured Union Local No. 1 journeyman plumber.
Frank Lombardo
$11.1 Million - NY Construction Worker Fell from Ladder
Phil Russotti obtained an $11.1 million verdict in Queens County Supreme Court, for a 53 year old man who was injured on a construction site at a New York City High School.
Philip Russotti
$8.2 Million - New York Construction Worker Paralyzed in Fall
Plaintiff, a 40 year-old, undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was working off the books for a roofing contractor when he fell through a hole in the first floor of a one family home he was working in.
Kenneth Halperin, Philip Russotti
$7.25 Million - Defective Scaffolding Injury in New York
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP attorneys Phil Russotti and Ken Halperin settled the case of a union-affiliated painter in his 40s, who was injured while working at a chemical storage facility.
Kenneth Halperin, Philip Russotti
$6.5 Million - Carpenter Injured from Fall at Jobsite
David M. Hoffman obtained a settlement of $6,500,000 for a client who was injured in a fall on a jobsite resulting in suffered serious and permanent trauma to his head.
David Hoffman
$6.5 Million - Serious Fall by Undocumented Laborer
Konstantin Burshteyn successfully represented a client, an undocumented laborer from El Salvador, who was seriously injured in a fall while working as a roofer.
Konstantin Burshteyn
$6.4 Million - Injured Union Concrete Workers
WRSMH attorneys obtained a total of $6,400,000 for multiple cases involving injured union concrete workers who were hurt on a construction site.
Noah Katz, Michael Zisser
$5.9 Million - Construction Worker Struck by a Falling Object
Carmine Goncalves obtained a large settlement on behalf of our client, a union construction worker, who sustained injuries after being struck by a falling object.
Carmine Goncalves
$5.75 Million - Falling Beam Injuries on Construction Site
The firm successfully represented a construction worker who sustained injuries which required multiple surgeries after he was struck by a falling beam while working on a construction site.
William Hepner, Fatos Dervishi
$5.75 Million - Day Laborer Injured at Construction Site
50-year-old day laborer injured at his job site, an apartment building in the Bronx.
Bryce Moses
$5.4 Million - Faulty Chain Harness Drops Worker from Building
WRSMH attorneys represented a client, a concrete worker, who suffered serious injuries in a fall while performing his job.
Carmine Goncalves, Erin Hurley
$5.3 Million - Non-Union Construction Worker Injured by Table Saw
The firm successfully represented a non-union construction worker who was seriously injured while operating a table saw which lacked a safety guard.
Noah Katz, Fatos Dervishi
$5 Million - Staten Island Construction Worker Killed When Trench Walls Collapse
Clifford Shapiro and Kenneth Halperin worked together to obtain a $5,000,000.00 settlement for the family of a construction worker who was killed while working in a trench at a construction site on Staten Island.
Clifford Shapiro, Kenneth Halperin
$5 Million - Worker Injured in Trench Fall at Construction Site
David M. Hoffman obtained a settlement of $5,000,000 for a client who sustained multiple injuries after falling into an unprotected trench at a construction site.
David Hoffman
$4.5 Million - Union Carpenter Struck By Falling Object
Frank Lombardo and Ross Barbour successfully represented a 58-year-old union carpenter who was injured when he was struck by a falling object.
Frank Lombardo, Ross Barbour
$4.5 Million - Non-Union Laborer Injured in Construction Site Fall
Attorneys obtained a pre-trial settlement in the amount of $4.5 million for a non-union laborer who fell through an opening on the first floor into a cellar below a Manhattan high-rise building under construction.
Noah Katz, Kenneth Halperin
$4.5 Million - Union Bridge Painter Injured in Fall
Frank J. Lombardo and Carmine Goncalves obtained a large settlement on behalf of our client, a union bridge painter, who sustained multiple injuries in a workplace accident.
Frank Lombardo, Carmine Goncalves
$4.5 Million - Worker Injured in Slip and Fall on Construction Site
Carmine Goncalves and Bryce Moses obtained a large settlement on behalf of our client, a construction worker, who sustained multiple injuries in a workplace fall.
Carmine Goncalves, Bryce Moses
$4.27 Million - Paralyzed Construction Worker
Bryce Moses conveyed to the jury that the landowners were responsible for the accident and was able to obtain $4.27 million dollar recovery despite the fact there was only 4 Million Dollars in insurance coverage.
Bryce Moses