Construction Accident Attorneys
Construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs, and in New York City, we hear about construction accidents all too often. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident and want to hold the responsible parties accountable, you must proceed very carefully. Construction accident cases are extremely complex and cannot be adequately handled by just any lawyer. The attorneys at Held & Hines LLP have the knowledge and experience needed to successfully represent you in a construction accident lawsuit.
Crane accidents, scaffolding accidents, ladder accidents, construction site falls, equipment accidents, elevator accidents, gas explosions, building collapse…danger is everywhere. There is a vast assortment of laws, rules and regulations governing the construction industry in an effort to keep workers safe. There are multiple agencies involved and departments in federal, state and city government. Our attorneys can confidently guide you through this labyrinth. The reality is that New York labor laws were enacted to protect construction workers from work-related accidents. Companies are required by law to inspect each site with safety engineers and implement a wide variety of safety measures. When accidents occur, they are likely avoidable and the result of someone not following the law.
A construction worker involved in a work-related accident often has a claim against the general contractor and/or owner of the construction site pursuant to New York State Labor Law sections 200, 240 and 241(6). Section 200 codifies the common law obligation to use reasonable care in the maintenance of a work site. Section 240 (sometimes referred to as the “Scaffolding Law”) governs elevated work sites (scaffolds, ladders, hoists, stays, slings, hangers, pulleys, irons, ropes, blocks, braces and other similar devices) and allows injured workers to bring a lawsuit against a property owner or general contractor who violates this section. In fact, the owner and/or contractor will be held strictly liable if the injured worker proves a violation of the Labor Law and that the violation caused the injury. Section 241(6) imposes a duty upon the general contractor and/or owner to comply with all provisions of the NYS Industrial Code. Architects, subcontractors and manufacturers of equipment may also be held responsible for inadequate safety precautions.
It is important to note that a fall itself does not prove a violation of the New York State Labor Law; in other words, just because a worker falls from a scaffold does not mean that proper protection was not provided or that safety precautions were inadequate or missing. Proving your construction accident case is more complicated than that. It is critical to gather records from agencies such as OSHA and the New York City Department of Buildings and know what questions to ask witnesses, owners and contractors. Our attorneys know how to build a successful construction accident case.
Contact the personal injury attorneys at Held & Hines LLP today regarding your construction accident case. With offices in Manhattan (New York City) and Brooklyn, our attorneys are ready to assist you. Call 212-696-4LAW or 718-351-9700 today and visit our website at heldhines.com.
