Helping New York’s Hard-Working Construction Laborers After a Job-Related Injury
As a construction worker, you have one of the most important — and most challenging — jobs in all of New York. But even though your work is more dangerous than most, you should absolutely be able to do it safely.
Of course, there’s only so much you can do by yourself to maintain a safe working environment. You depend on your co-workers, your employer, and the other subcontractors at the site to behave responsibly too.
Unfortunately, supervisors and their other employees aren’t always as careful as they should be.
If you have been injured in a New York construction accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the damages, losses, and suffering you’ve incurred.
When employers or subcontractors (or the people they employ) fail to follow safety guidelines or otherwise behave carelessly, they put your health and wellness in danger. Indeed, some New York construction industry accidents are even deadly.
As Kingston construction accident lawyers, we have helped many people just like you recover substantial compensation after an on-the-job injury.
We understand how vital the construction industry is to the Hudson Valley. Your work is crucial to the economy here. More importantly, your life is precious. You deserve to be kept safe while working, your employers are required to uphold high safety standards, and we are prepared to hold them accountable for putting your wellbeing on the line.
Sadly, businesses in the construction industry are often reluctant to pay their employees what they’re owed after an accident. Instead of stepping up to the plate and doing the right thing, they hide behind insurance companies or lawyers while you are left with pain, suffering, a mountain of medical bills, and an uncertain future.
That’s not right. You were injured while working hard for someone else, merely trying to earn a good living for you and your family. You shouldn’t have to suffer on your own — or pay out of pocket — because someone else dropped the ball.
Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Contact the Kingston construction accident attorneys at O’Connor & Partners for a free consultation right away.
Scaffolding & Ladder Accidents
Falls from heights account for an alarming number of construction accidents in New York each year. When scaffolding fails, or ladders aren’t adequately secured, the results can be devastating.
Construction scaffolding is heavily regulated under state and federal law. Our attorneys can help by investigating the accident and determining compliance with applicable law.
Falling Equipment / Struck by an Object
The people around you may be working at great heights. When they drop their tools, or when equipment isn’t properly secured, it poses great peril for the people below.
Swinging equipment, too, can be dangerous. Even objects that are simply being carried can cause great harm if they impact another person.
Being struck by an object can cause catastrophic injury or death. Contractors and subcontractors have a duty to ensure safety at the job site and to provide adequate training to their employees.
Mechanical Injuries
Construction and mechanics go hand in hand. If your job entails the used of high-powered tools or machinery, the use of such equipment carries specific dangers. Your employer should train you extensively in the proper use of mechanics.
If you suffer a mechanical injury, depending on the circumstances, you may have a claim against:
- The employer,
- The manufacturer,
- The retailer that sold the machinery,
- The property owner, or
- Another corporate third party.
Crushing Injuries
Also known as “caught in/between” injuries, crushing injuries are among the most painful in the construction world. Great care is required to avoid being caught between heavy machinery, caught under heavy objects, caved in trenches, or entangled in machinery.
Electrical Shock & Electrocution
Construction workers routinely encounter high-voltage scenarios. From live wires on the ground to power lines in the path of cherry pickers or cranes, the risk of harm is substantial. Employers should inspect job sites for potential threats of electrocution or shock and take precautions accordingly.
Blasts, Fires, and Explosions
Depending on the type of construction project you’re working on, you may be at a higher risk of suffering burns, smoke inhalation damage, or other risks due to blasts, fires, or explosions. Construction sites should guard against these risks and be prepared to respond to them.
Chemical Injuries: Chemical Burns, Toxic Exposure, Etc.
Any chemical can become dangerous. Some are highly flammable, for instance. Others are not safe to touch, breathe in, or ingest.
Chemical injuries can be acute (meaning the injuries happen suddenly or soon after exposure) or chronic (meaning that injury, illness, or disease develops slowly over the course of months or years as a result of exposure). Our Kingston construction accident lawyers can help you take action for either acute or chronic injuries related to toxic chemical exposure.
Slippery Conditions / Slip and Fall
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere (in fact, we have an entire practice area dedicated specifically to slip, trip, and fall injuries in the Hudson Valley), but they are especially likely on construction sites, where spills are common. Loose ropes, cords, and wires can create tripping hazards too. Your employer might also have pressured you to work in the rain or when conditions are slippery. We can help.
Injuries Caused by OSHA Violations at Construction Sites
The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency responsible for overseeing federal safety regulations at construction sites.
Construction companies and property owners must exercise great care in complying with OSHA guidelines, federal regulations, and New York’s own state-level regulations.
If your employer has been cited for OSHA violations and you have suffered injury as a result, you should contact the Kingston construction injury attorneys at O’Connor & Partners right away.
Construction Vehicle Accidents
From pickup trucks and construction vans to forklifts and bulldozers, construction workers are asked to operate all kinds of vehicles. If you are injured while using one of these vehicles (or by someone else who is operating them), your claim for compensation might involve various aspects of auto accident law, premises liability law, products liability law, and employment law. O’Connor & Partners can help.
Wrongful Death Construction Claims
Tragically, many construction accidents result in a fatality. If you have lost a loved one, you and your family may be able entitled to financial compensation under New York wrongful death law. Please call our office and set up a consultation as soon as possible to learn more about your rights.
Representation for Injured Pedestrians, Guests, and Passersby
While this webpage is primarily focused on injured laborers, we also realize that the victims of construction accidents may not work in the industry at all.
If you were hurt while visiting a construction site or were just in the vicinity when an unexpected injury happened, you may have a claim against one or more of the parties involved.
Get a Free Construction Accident Case Review
Our law firm believes in taking an aggressive approach to most construction accident claims.
Why? Many of these cases ultimately involve large businesses and/or insurance companies, and they are generally more interested in protecting their own interests than in paying you what you deserve.
We believe the right approach can make all the difference in the outcome of your claim. Our goal is to maximize your compensation. Every penny counts.
O’Connor & Partners will never charge you a fee unless and until we get you money, so there is nothing to lose. Contact us online or call (845) 303-8777 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our Kingston construction accident lawyers today.