Construction Falls/ Scaffold Injuries

New York Construction Injury Claims

Scaffold accidents and falls

At Lozner & Mastropietro, our Brooklyn lawyers help workers and their families recover full compensation for construction injuries suffered in scaffold accidents and falls, a type of accident that kills hundreds of workers each year. New York State has a statute that provides special legal protection to workers exposed to the hazards of working at high or variable elevations.

Labor Law Section 240, also known as the "New York Scaffold Law," requires owners and contractors to provide workers with appropriate work site safety equipment for use when working at an elevated level. It is the responsibility of the owner or contractor to provide proper scaffolds, safety lines, hoists, harnesses, guardrails and other necessary safeguards while you are working at an elevation. If an owner or contractor fails to provide proper safety equipment, then that party is responsible for the workers' injury or death. If you feel a construction injury may entitle you to a personal injury or wrongful death claim and would like an attorney from our Brooklyn, New York, firm to evaluate your case, please contact our office to arrange a complimentary consultation.

Falls covered by Labor Law Section 240 include:

• Ladder falls: Falls from ladders and scaffolds account for 41% of all fall injuries. Ladders should be checked for proper positioning and steadiness, structural integrity, and appropriateness to the job. Safety measures can include non-skid rungs and side guardrails.
• Scaffold accidents: Falls from scaffolds account for approximately 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries every year. Scaffolds must be properly constructed and mounted and the weight limit should not be exceeded. Common causes of scaffold accidents include plank slippage and support failures. Safety measures can include guardrails and fall arrest systems.
• Other construction falls: Falls include falls from the roof, from a girder or pole through an unprotected wall, a fall through a floor hole, or through flimsy or inappropriate flooring. Safety measures that should be taken include guardrails, safety nets and safety lines.

Damages for construction injuries

If you were not provided with proper safety equipment while working at a construction site, you can pursue a claim against the responsible party and may recover substantial monetary damages including compensation for pain and suffering, health-care expenses, wage loss and loss of pension or other fringe benefits. Your spouse may also be permitted to sue for the impact your accident has had on your life together; whether socially, recreationally, or even for your inability to help with general work around the house in the manner you did before your accident.

Claims for defective ladders or scaffolding

If a ladder fall or scaffold accident is the result of dangerous or defective equipment, our lawyers will help you recover compensation from the manufacturer or supplier through a product liability lawsuit.

At Lozner & Mastropietro, our Brooklyn attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of construction injuries and scaffold accidents recover full compensation for their losses. If you suffered a construction injury, a loved one was killed in a work site accident, or you simply need more information, please contact us at 1-718-615-0044 or click Tell Us About Your Case.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Construction and Work Site Accidents