Construction Accident Lawyers in Albany, New York
The construction accident lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. help individuals who have been hurt in construction accidents with worker’s compensation claims and with personal injury lawsuits. If you’ve been hurt in a construction accident, you may only have a limited time to make a claim under the law and may only have a limited time to appeal a denied worker’s compensation claim. The Albany construction accident attorneys at the Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help.
What Kinds of Accidents Happen in Construction?
Many different types of accidents can happen on construction sites. Construction workers suffer injuries including broken bones, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and more. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the top four accidents that happen on construction sites are:
- Falls
- Struck By Accidents
- Caught In Between
- Electrocutions
These accidents can result in serious injury or death. Fall accidents can leave individuals with spinal cord injuries, broken bones, head injuries, traumatic brain injury, and more. Struck by object accidents can leave victims with fractures, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, and more. Caught in between injuries can result in crush injuries, amputations, and more. Electrocutions can result in serious burn injuries, cardiac arrest, and death.
Construction sites carry many fall hazards. Fall hazards can be found in various scenarios including:
- Ladder Fall Accidents
- Scaffolding Accidents
- Roofing Accidents
- Premises Liability Issues, Including Flooring Issues
- Improper Safety Equipment
Crush injuries can occur when a person gets pulled, trapped, or caught in heavy machinery, when a person gets trapped after a construction site cave-in, or when a person gets compressed between construction vehicles. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration notes that 975 private-industry construction workers were killed in crush injuries in 2008. These numbers don’t begin to account for the many more people who survive these injuries with serious disability, disfigurement, or loss. When working with heavy machinery that can result in crushing injuries, workers need to be aware of their clothing, and lock-out procedures. Employers have a responsibility to train workers on safety measures and procedures.
Electrocutions can happen when workers aren’t properly trained or qualified to be working around open wires, or when employers fail to turn off power sources. Workers who perform their jobs at heights can be at risk of coming into contact with power lines if proper precautions aren’t taken into account. Lightning strikes and failure to take into account weather conditions can also result in electrocutions. Improperly maintained electrical tools can also cause hazards. Again, employers have a significant role to play in preventing electrocutions and weather-related injuries.
Many of the most common construction accident causes can be prevented with proper training, employer precautions, and proper equipment and safety measures. When construction workers do their jobs around heavy machinery, move heavy loads, or work with explosives or other dangerous tools and methods, precautions must be taken to prevent injury.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a construction accident, you and your family might be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. In many cases, workers are covered under worker’s compensation insurance. In other instances, workers may be entitled to seek compensation through a lawsuit. The construction accident attorneys in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help. We can appeal a denied worker’s compensation claim or fight to hold construction sites and employers accountable when their negligent actions resulted in injuries and losses, if you are not covered under worker’s compensation.
Am I Only Entitled to Worker’s Compensation in New York?
If you are covered under worker’s compensation, you are generally not permitted to sue your employer, according to the New York City Bar. Yet, this doesn’t mean you might be barred entirely from pursuing a lawsuit. If another party in addition to your employer or construction company was at fault, you may be entitled to pursue a claim. Construction companies may hire other parties to perform jobs and if these companies failed to take steps to make their work safe or failed to prevent hazards, you might be entitled to seek damages from these companies. Other responsible parties could be the owners of the construction site, or a vehicle operator if a vehicle operator driven by a third party resulted in your accident. Sometimes construction sites hire other parties to build scaffolds or to perform specific jobs. If these jobs weren’t done correctly, accidents can happen. Finally, if you were a bystander or were injured by a falling object or scaffold while driving or walking near a construction site, you may have the right to seek damages through a lawsuit. If you have questions about your rights after a construction accident, reach out to the Albany, New York construction accident lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. today.
What Steps Should I Take After a Construction Accident in Albany, New York?
There are several things you can do after a construction accident in Albany, New York to protect your rights. If you have any questions about the steps you need to take after a construction accident, you may want to speak to a construction accident lawyer in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. as soon as possible. An attorney can review your case and help you with the next steps. Here are some things you can do right after a construction accident:
- Seek Medical Attention Right Away
- Report Your Accident to Your Employer
- Make a Worker’s Compensation Claim
- Speak to a Construction Accident Lawyer in Albany, New York if Your Worker’s Compensation Claim Has Been Denied
The construction accident lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help you with your claim every step of the way. From appealing a denied or underpaid worker’s compensation claim to pursuing lawsuits, the Albany, New York construction accident attorneys at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. are here to help. Contact us today to learn more and to take the next steps.
What is Covered Under Worker’s Compensation?
Worker’s compensation pays for your medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, and may partially reimburse you for lost wages. If someone you love died in a workplace accident or construction accident, victims’ families may be entitled to receive death benefits under worker’s compensation. You may also be entitled to additional benefits under worker’s compensation if you were disabled or need work retraining after a serious injury on the job.
If you have been hurt in a construction accident, it is important to let your employer know as soon as possible. If your worker’s compensation claim was denied or if you believe your claim was underpaid, you may have the right to appeal the denial or settlement, but you may only have a limited time to do so. Worker’s compensation claims can be denied for many reasons. Sometimes employers misclassify workers and wrongly claim that they are not covered under worker’s compensation. Other situations can arise when the insurance company may try to deny coverage, claiming either a preexisting condition or blaming the construction worker for the accident. If you find yourself in this situation, a construction accident lawyer in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. may be able to help. Reach out to our lawyers today.
Are There Laws for Scaffold Workers?
Protections for scaffold workers on construction sites is covered under Section 240 of New York law. Construction site operators, under this law, have a responsibility to provide protections to workers when erecting or working on scaffolds. A construction injury lawyer in Albany, New York can review your case if you were hurt in a scaffolding accident on a construction site. The Towne Law Firm, P.C. is here to review your case and help you understand your rights.
How Can I Contact a Construction Injury Lawyer in Albany, New York?
The construction accident lawyers in Albany, New York at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. can be reached at 518-452-1800 or by filling out our convenient online contact form. We are here to review your case and offer guidance on the next steps. You may only have a limited time to appeal a case or make a claim. Reach out to the Albany, New York construction injury lawyers at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. today.
