New York City Falling Object Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been injured in a falling object accident on a New York City construction site, you have legal options for pursuing justice. You may be entitled to significant compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits via a lawsuit if another party’s negligence caused your injury.
Table of Contents
- Common Causes of Falling Object Injuries on New York City Construction Sites
- Types of Injuries from Falling Objects on New York City Construction Sites
- New York Labor Laws Protecting Construction Workers from Falling Object
- Legal Options for Victims Struck by a Falling Object on a New York City Construction Site
- Steps Injured Workers Should Take After a Falling Object Accident in New York City
- How Can Lever & Ecker Help New York City Construction Workers Injured By Falling Objects?
- We Serve all Municipalities, Cities, and Counties in New York State
- Contact Lever & Ecker’s New York City Construction Accident Lawyers
Common Causes of Falling Object Injuries on New York City Construction Sites
Also called “struck-by injuries,” falling object accidents cause numerous worker fatalities each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, occupational struck-by incidents caused 150 worker deaths and 14,000 nonfatal injuries in the construction sector in 2020.
Between 2011 and 2019, between 76–113 fatalities occurred per year due to workers being struck by objects or equipment. Lack of training was a major cause of these accidents. When workers are not adequately trained on how to handle and secure materials, tools, and debris, these objects can fall from tall heights, striking and injuring any workers below.
Examples of Falling Objects on Construction Sites
Falling objects are an inherent risk on construction job sites. Tools, materials, and other objects can easily fall from roofs, cranes, and scaffolds if precautions are not taken, leading to falling debris accidents. Injuries from falling objects may be more severe depending on the object’s shape and where on the body the person was struck. The severity of an injury may increase as the height and weight of the falling object increase. Some of the most common falling objects on construction sites include:
- Bricks
- Rubble
- Tools
- Equipment
- Debris
- Collapsed scaffolds
- Tipped ladders
- Ceiling or roof collapses
- Workers falling onto other workers
Types of Injuries from Falling Objects on New York City Construction Sites
Construction workers often suffer serious injuries due to being struck by falling objects on construction sites. Head, neck, and spinal trauma are tragically common, and the long-term impacts of these injuries may be devastating. Some of the most common injuries workers experience from falling object accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Death
New York Labor Laws Protecting Construction Workers from Falling Object
Labor Law § 240(1): Section 240 of New York’s “Scaffold Law” holds property owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries on their job sites. The state law requires contractors, owners, and agents to furnish appropriate scaffolding and equipment to protect workers from falls and falling objects.
Labor Law § 241(6): Section 241 of New York’s state labor laws provides guidelines for all areas where construction projects are performed. Under the law, construction sites must be equipped, guarded, and operated to provide reasonable protection and safety for workers.
Labor Law § 200: Section 200 requires all property owners and contractors to make workplaces under their control reasonably safe for workers.
Legal Options for Victims Struck by a Falling Object on a New York City Construction Site
In most cases, New York construction workers have at least one avenue for pursuing financial compensation after a workplace accident—workers’ compensation benefits. Most employers offer these benefits to cover medical costs and a portion of lost wages for workers injured on the job.
If a party other than your employer was responsible for your injury, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover additional compensation for pain, suffering, and other losses. While workers cannot typically sue their employers for workplace accidents, a worker may sue a negligent party, such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, whose negligence caused the worker’s injury.
Depending on the circumstances of their injury, workers may be able to pursue benefits via workers’ compensation and a separate lawsuit for additional compensation.
Steps Injured Workers Should Take After a Falling Object Accident in New York City
After being injured by a falling object on a New York City construction site, act quickly to seek care for your injuries and protect your legal rights. Timing is critical–New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the accident date. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you may lose your right to recover compensation. If you are able, take these steps as soon as possible after a falling object accident:
- Seek immediate medical care.
- Report the accident to your employer.
- Gather evidence, including photos of the construction site, witness statements, and evidence of any unsafe working conditions.
Consult a New York construction accident lawyer to determine your options for pursuing legal action.
How Can Lever & Ecker Help New York City Construction Workers Injured By Falling Objects?
With decades of experience successfully handling New York City construction accident cases, Lever & Ecker takes a hands-on approach to every client’s matter, guiding them through each step of the legal process.
With our client-focused approach, we will aggressively pursue nothing less than full and fair compensation on your behalf. Each of our experienced New York construction accident attorneys is personally motivated by helping injured people and genuinely wants to make a difference in clients’ lives. Everything we do is in our clients’ best interests, and we provide the resources you and your family need to make the right decisions and get the right care.
We treat injured workers like family, providing top-tier legal representation and an open line of communication. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and legal options.
We Serve all Municipalities, Cities, and Counties in New York State
If you or a loved one have been injured by a falling object on a New York construction site, our skilled construction accident attorneys are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. With offices in White Plains, the Bronx, and Queens, we serve injured clients throughout New York State, including all five boroughs of New York City, all of Westchester County, and the surrounding counties. We make home and hospital visits, so if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
Contact Lever & Ecker’s New York City Construction Accident Lawyers
No worker deserves the financial burden of an accident caused by another person’s negligence. At Lever & Ecker, our award-winning New York lawyers have over 70 years of experience pursuing justice for clients and their families.
Our approach is simple: we will listen to you, guide you, and help you with what needs to be done right away. To get started with a free case evaluation, contact Lever & Ecker today by filling out our online contact form or calling one of our offices:
- White Plains: (914) 288-9191
- Bronx: (718) 933-3632
- Queens: (347) 391-6337
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