Legal Representation for Injured Bricklayers in Manhattan
Bricklayers in Manhattan face some of the most dangerous working conditions in the country. Construction workers of all types, including bricklayers, are busy on worksites with a wide array of dangerous hazards, and through no fault of their own, may suffer a serious or fatal injury.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries while working as a bricklayer, you have the right to workers’ compensation benefits – but you may have a valid claim denied. In some cases, a third party, whether a subcontractor, utility company, equipment or tool manufacturer, or other party may have played a role in what occurred, opening the door to the ability to file a third party lawsuit and recover compensation far above and beyond what is available through the workers’ compensation system. For assistance, contact the Manhattan construction accident lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 to discuss the facts in your case.
Bricklayers and Accident Risks – How Serious Injuries Occur
Those working in the bricklaying trade can suffer serious or fatal injuries on the job. OSHA outlines four types of accidents they call the “Fatal Four,” as these incidents are most likely to lead to fatal injuries:
- Falls: Falls from heights are unfortunately a risk all construction workers must face. Ladder falls and falls from scaffolding can lead to such severe injuries that the bricklayer may never fully recover or could pass away. Workers may not have been provided with legally required fall protection, or the structure may not have had the proper perimeter protection installed. Floor openings may not have been secured and labeled, and scaffolding structures may have been improperly installed or faulty.
- Crush incidents: A worker can be caught between a moving and fixed object, whether construction equipment, vehicles, or materials being moved by crane or other means, leading to a crush injury with terrible, and often permanent consequences.
- Caught in or between: Bricklayers may be tasked with providing a stable surface to trench systems for foundations or other construction needs, and subject to a trench collapse with serious or fatal consequences.
- Electrocutions: The risks associated with overhead power lines, ungrounded power tools, live electrical circuits, arcing, or other dangerous conditions can lead to serious burns, total physical incapacitation, and the lack of the ability to earn a living, or work at all.
Other conditions and situations that can lead to serious or fatal injuries are associated with lifting heavy loads of materials, insufficient training, trip or slip and fall accidents, ear, or eye damage due to excessive noise from power tools or airborne objects, and many other dangers in a jobsite environment.
Common Types of Injuries Sustained by Bricklayers and Masons in Manhattan
Bricklayers, along with other construction workers, may suffer very severe injuries, many of which lead to permanent disabilities or loss of life:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Amputations
- Electrical burns
- Internal organ damage
- Severe neck and shoulder damage
- Disfiguring facial injuries
- Permanent back injuries
Who Is Liable?
Determining liability is a critical factor in bringing a third party lawsuit. When injured at work, a bricklayer has the right to workers’ compensation benefits, but may be able to recover a much higher amount in damages if it is discovered that another party was liable for what occurred, whether a subcontracting company, equipment manufacturer, scaffolding company, electrical company, or other entity.
Speak With a Bricklayer Injury Lawyer in Manhattan
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our legal team is proud to be recognized as a leading Manhattan law firm for injured construction workers We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients over our years in practice. We limit the number of cases we take on to ensure every client is given the attention and care they deserve. For more information about seeking full compensation, call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 today.