Construction Worker Injury Cases in Manhattan – Scaffolding Falls
Scaffolding installations are necessary on all types of construction sites in Manhattan. These structures allow construction workers access to higher elevations on the property to install various elements to the building, and may be suspended or supported. These structures have proven extremely dangerous for workers, and are subject to federal, state, and city regulations. Unfortunately, even with these regulations, scaffolding accidents continue to occur at an alarming rate.
If you or a loved one was injured in a scaffolding accident, contact Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 to speak with our Manhattan scaffolding accident lawyers about what happened. As a leading law firm in Manhattan, we focus on cases of serious injury or wrongful death.
How do Scaffolding Accidents Occur?
The majority of these serious or deadly accidents are the direct result of human error. A failure to properly install the structure, equipped with the required handrails, guards, and other requirements, can leave a construction worker at high risk of a fall, often from a high elevation, with devastating results. Under New York state labor laws Sections 200, 240, and 241(b), workers are expected to operate in an environment that is as safe as possible.
When an employer fails to follow the safety requirements in scaffolding installations and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) in good repair, a fall from high elevations can occur with disastrous consequences. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 59 fatal construction accidents in a recent year. A staggering number of workers have lost their lives in scaffolding falls, with many others suffering serious injuries, or permanent disabilities.
Most Common Types of Scaffolding Fall Injuries
A fall from heights, or being hit by falling objects from a scaffolding installation, can leave a construction worker or other construction worker below suffering very serious injuries, including but not limited to:
- Severe back and neck injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Wrongful death
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
Who is Liable in a Manhattan Scaffolding Accident?
Every accident has unique facts that must be fully reviewed to identify all liable parties. In many cases, the scaffolding is installed by a third party – a scaffolding company. Under state labor laws, if you were injured due to faulty or wrongly installed scaffolding, you could be entitled to compensation above and beyond the workers’ compensation benefits due to you. The first step is to have your case fully reviewed to identify any party who may be held liable. When identified, a lawsuit could be filed to seek justice and full compensation for the injured construction worker, or the close family of a worker who died in one of these tragic – and avoidable -- accidents.
What Types of Compensation Could an Injured Worker Expect?
After a scaffolding fall that caused serious or fatal injuries, various types of compensation can be pursued. New York is the only state in the union that has imposed an absolute liability standard on construction accidents related to scaffolding falls. It is imperative that an injured worker engages assistance from a construction accident law firm in Manhattan with an extensive history of positive case results in construction accident cases as soon as possible after the incident.
The types of compensation that could be sought include workers’ compensation benefits and through a third-party lawsuit which gives a financial value to the devastating personal losses in a serious injury or death case:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional damages
- Reduced quality of life
- Compensation for permanent disabilities
- Other damages, based on the facts in the case
Contact the Manhattan personal injury attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353 for a free case evaluation if you or a loved one was injured in a scaffolding accident.