Helping Injured Ironworkers Pursue Compensation in New York City
Ironworkers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They often work at great heights and face a variety of hazards on a daily basis. Under New York Laws, property owners and general contractors have a responsibility to create a reasonably safe workplace and help protect workers from harm.
How Do Ironworkers Get Hurt on the Job?
Ironworkers are dealing with multiple occupational hazards on a regular basis. They can be hurt on the job in several ways, including:
- Falls from heights: Workers may fall from elevations because of inadequate fall protection, when unsupported columns or unsecured open web steel joists collapse, during installation of floors or decks, or through unprotected floor openings. Falls from heights can cause traumatic brain injury, internal organ damage, spinal cord injury, and fractured bones.
- Struck by falling objects or materials: Workers may be hit by dropped rebar, debris, tools, or other objects falling from above. This type of accident can cause head injuries, crush injuries, bone fractures, or death.
- Caught between objects: This can happen during rigging and hoisting. Workers can suffer severe crush injuries when caught between objects such as a piece of heavy machinery and a steel beam.
- Impalement: Ironworkers can be impaled on unprotected reinforcing dowels. This can result in crushing and penetration injuries, tissue loss, massive blood loss, serious fractures, and wound contamination.
- Contact with power lines: This can cause electrocution or electrical shock.
- Toxic exposure: Ironworkers may be exposed to harmful chemicals, contaminants, or toxic fumes. They also face a risk of exposure to asbestos and lead.
- Heat exposure: Ironwork is done outdoors. In the summer months, which means exposure to hot temperatures and a risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Injured Ironworkers?
Ironworkers may have more than one source of compensation after serious work-related injuries. First, there is the workers’ compensation system that allows employees to seek benefits regardless of fault for an accident. Benefits are capped under workers’ comp. It should cover your medical expenses related to a workplace injury or illness and compensate you for a portion of your lost wages.
If a negligent third party (other than your employer) caused your accident and injuries, you may have a personal injury claim against that party. This would allow you to seek additional damages, such as the full value of your lost wages, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
How Does NYC Labor Law Protect Ironworkers?
In New York, state laws provide additional protection for construction workers. Property owners and general contractors can be held liable for violations of the following labor laws that contributed to your injuries:
- Owners and general contractors have a general duty to protect the health and safety of employees under Labor Law Section 200.
- Owners and general contractors are strictly liable for most fall injuries under Labor Law Section 240.
- Workers must be provided with adequate safety equipment under Labor Law Section 241.
Why Should an Injured Ironworker Seek Assistance From a NYC Workers’ Comp Attorney?
At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our New York City workers’ compensation lawyers can explore every avenue available and help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries. If the actions of a negligent third party contributed to your injuries and you are eligible to file a personal injury claim, it will not affect your workers’ comp benefits, but it could provide you with additional compensation.
Call us at (212) 986-7353 to schedule a free consultation. We can tell you what your options for recovery may be and what damages you may be entitled to claim.
Our Workplace Accident Case Results
$5.95 Million - Union Bridge Painter Fell from Steel Support Beam
WRSMH attorneys successfully represented a union bridge painter who was injured when he fell from a steel beam bridge support.
Bryce Moses, Carmine Goncalves
$3.2 Million - Dock Worker Injured by Temporary Metal Staircase
Our client, a union dock worker, sustained multiple injuries while on the job.
Stephen Wagner
$3.1 Million - Paralyzed Laborer
Bryce Moses represented a 63 year old worker who was catastrophically injured when he fell from a ground level dumpster as he was loading construction debris.
Bryce Moses
$3.1 Million - Baggage Handler Injured by Airplane Striking Truck
Douglas Milch successfully represented a baggage handler who sustained injuries in a tarmac accident at the airport.
Douglas Milch
$3 Million - Injured Demolition Worker
A 44 year old demolition worker from Central America was injured when a brick wall that was being dismantled collapsed and fell on him.
Bryce Moses
$2.6 Million - Two Workers Injured in New York Elevator Accident
Two WRSMH clients obtained a large verdict after suffering injuries when they were in an elevator that crashed while at work.
Brielle Goldfaden
$2.3 Million - Painter Scaffolding Injury
A man fell from scaffolding while he was painting the canopy of an underground railway tunnel. He fell eight feet onto the train platform, injuring his shoulder, back and knee.
Bryce Moses
$2.2 Million - Scaffolding Fall Accident
Ken Halperin recently obtained a $2.2 million dollar settlement for a laborer who fell off a scaffold from a height of approximately 40 feet.
Kenneth Halperin
$1.95 Million - Worker Sustains Three Herniated Discs in Lower Back
Bill Hepner recently obtained a $1.95 million damages award at a binding arbitration on behalf of a client who was injured in a work-related accident.
William Hepner
$1.75 Million - Plumber's Apprentice Falls From Ladder
WRSMH attorney, Bryce Moses, recently obtained a $1,750,000 verdict for a thirty-nine year old non-union plumber who fell approximately six feet from a ladder while he was drilling holes in the ceiling for piping.
Bryce Moses
$1.4 Million - Elevator Mechanic Fell
Bryce had to try the case two times for our client. The first trial was interrupted by the 9/11 attacks and ended in a mistrial. Before jury selection began for the retrial, the case was settled for $1.4 Million.
Bryce Moses
$1.3 Million - Laborer Struck by Falling Pile Driver
WRSMH attorney Kenneth J. Halperin recently obtained a $1.3 million dollar settlement for a laborer who was struck by a falling pile that had just been driven into the ground.
Kenneth Halperin
$1.2 Million - Insulation Installer Suffered Severe Fall and Injuries
Our client was a laborer who suffered severe injuries when he fell through an opening in the attic floor while spraying insulation.
Frank Lombardo
$1.1 Million - Elevator Accident at Downtown Office Building - Spinal Injuries
A cleaner was injured in an elevator accident while at work in a Downtown Manhattan office building.
Brielle Goldfaden
$1 Million - Worker Injures Neck in Stair Fall Accident
Attorney Thomas Pardo successfully represented a client who sustained neck injuries after a stair fall accident at work.
Thomas Pardo
$975,000 - Broadsided by Another Cargo Vehicle on the Airport Tarmac
Kenneth Halperin recently obtained a $975,000 settlement for an airport worker who was involved in a vehicular accident on the airport tarmac.
Kenneth Halperin
$925,000 - Worker at Auto Dealer Falls
Our client was hurt on the job while when he fell from a ripped awning at an auto dealership.
William Hepner
$850,000 - Recovery After Mediation for Cable Company Employee
Cliff Shapiro obtained an $850,000 recovery for a cable company employee who was injured on the job when he fell from a ladder.
Clifford Shapiro
$575,000 - Electrician Fell Off Ladder
Kenneth J. Halperin recently obtained a $575,000 settlement for an electrician who was injured at a construction site.
Kenneth Halperin
$550,000 - Laborer Falls Out Of Cherry Picker
Kenneth J. Halperin recently obtained a $550,000 settlement for a laborer who was injured while painting a portion of an elevated subway track.
Kenneth Halperin