Westchester County Ladder Accident Lawyer
A ladder accident can leave a construction worker facing serious injuries that affect their ability to work and their daily life. Workers’ compensation benefits may cover medical expenses and some of the lost wages, but they likely won’t fully address the impact of a serious injury. Depending on how the accident happened and who was responsible, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit over a ladder accident and seek additional compensation.
Lever & Ecker’s Westchester County personal injury lawyers have decades of experience representing injured construction workers and their families, with more than $250 million recovered in personal injury settlements and verdicts. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Table of Contents
- Injured in a Ladder Accident in Westchester County?
- Why Choose Lever & Ecker to Handle Your Westchester County Ladder Accident?
- What Causes Ladder Accidents in Westchester County?
- How New York Labor Law Protects Westchester County Workers Injured in Ladder Accidents
- Can I Sue My Employer Over a Ladder Accident in Westchester County?
- What Compensation Is Available After a Westchester County Ladder Accident?
- How Lever & Ecker Investigates Westchester County Ladder Accident Claims
- Contact a Westchester County Ladder Accident Lawyer Today
- Frequently Asked Questions
Injured in a Ladder Accident in Westchester County?
If you have been injured in a ladder accident on a Westchester County work site, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against a third party in addition to receiving workers’ compensation benefits. A third-party claim may arise when someone other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident.
An experienced Westchester County ladder accident lawyer from Lever & Ecker can investigate the circumstances of your accident and determine whether you have legal grounds for a third-party claim. Our Westchester county construction accident lawyers will take care of the hard work for you and handle the legal process on your behalf.
Why Choose Lever & Ecker to Handle Your Westchester County Ladder Accident?
When you come to us after a ladder accident, you’ll get a firm with more than 80 years of combined experience handling personal injury claims arising from construction accidents in Westchester County and across New York.
Our experienced construction accident attorneys have a deep understanding of New York’s labor laws and how they may affect claims over job-site injuries. We have the resources and experience to handle complex claims, including those involving serious and catastrophic injuries, and we are prepared to take your case to trial when necessary. Our approach is simple: We listen to you, guide you, and help you with what needs to be done as soon as possible.
Our firm is committed to pursuing compensation for injured workers and their families. We have recovered more than $250 million in settlements and verdicts for personal injury victims, including:
What Causes Ladder Accidents in Westchester County?
Ladder accidents in Westchester County can result from unsafe conditions or failures to provide proper protection at a construction site. A worker’s use of a ladder does not mean they caused the accident.
Common causes of ladder accidents include:
- Defective ladders that break, bend, or collapse during use
- Ladders that shift because they were not properly secured
- Slippery surfaces that make it difficult to maintain footing
- Uneven ground that causes the ladder to become unstable
- Lack of required safety equipment for the work being performed
- Unsafe site conditions that expose workers to unnecessary fall risks
- Inadequate training or supervision that leaves workers without proper safety guidance
How New York Labor Law Protects Westchester County Workers Injured in Ladder Accidents
New York’s Scaffold Law protects construction workers by requiring property owners, contractors, and their agents to provide proper safety equipment, including scaffolds and ladders, to prevent fall-related injuries. However, this does not apply to all ladder accidents. For example, it may not apply when a worker trips over a ladder lying flat on the ground or when the work involves routine upkeep, such as changing a lightbulb.
Whether the law applies depends on the type of work involved and the circumstances of the accident. A lawyer can review what happened and explain whether the law applies to your case.
Can I Sue My Employer Over a Ladder Accident in Westchester County?
You typically cannot sue your employer over a ladder accident. Under New York law, workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy from your employer for a work injury. However, you may have a separate claim against any third party that has caused or contributed to your injury.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits for medical treatment and lost wages regardless of who caused the injury. On the other hand, a third-party lawsuit allows you to seek damages beyond workers’ compensation benefits, such as pain and suffering, but you must prove that someone else’s actions or omissions caused or contributed to your accident. Whether you can pursue a third-party depends on the facts of the accident.
Potential defendants include:
- Construction site owners
- General contractors and subcontractors
- Construction managers
- Ladder manufacturers
- Equipment rental companies
- Other negligent parties
Notably, more than one party may contribute to an accident, particularly on a job site where several companies and contractors work together.
What Compensation Is Available After a Westchester County Ladder Accident?
The compensation you can recover for a ladder accident may include coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses caused by your injuries. The compensation available to you depends on the facts of your claim and whether you have only a workers’ compensation claim or also have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against a third party.
Workers’ compensation benefits typically cover medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages, but they do not compensate for pain and suffering and rarely address the full impact of the injuries. However, in a personal injury action, you can seek compensation for your medical expenses, long-term care, rehabilitation, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, reduced quality of life, and other related damages.
Because workers’ compensation covers fewer types of losses, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough investigation to identify liable parties other than your employer. Missing a liable party may limit the compensation available for your injuries and losses.
How Lever & Ecker Investigates Westchester County Ladder Accident Claims
Our firm investigates ladder accident claims by establishing a clear, evidence-based account of what happened and the losses the injury caused. We begin gathering evidence immediately because the conditions may change quickly as work continues at a construction site.
Our investigation may include:
- Examining why the ladder failed or what caused the worker to fall
- Identifying potentially responsible parties based on the circumstances of the accident
- Reviewing worksite records, safety records, inspection reports, and other relevant documentation
- Consulting with construction safety or engineering professionals to assess technical evidence and determine the likely cause
- Calculating current and future damages related to your injuries and their impact on your life
Contact a Westchester County Ladder Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, contact Lever & Ecker to discuss your legal options and what may be involved in your claim. Acting early can give us a better opportunity to preserve evidence while it is still available. Contact us online or call (914) 288-9191 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do if I Fall From a Ladder at Work?
If you are injured by a fall from a ladder at work, seek immediate medical attention and report the accident to your employer as soon as possible. Document the accident and your injuries, and keep records related to your medical care and time away from work. In addition, speak with a New York personal injury lawyer to determine whether you have a third-party personal injury claim.
Can I Receive Workers’ Compensation and Sue Another Party?
Yes, you may be able to pursue both workers’ compensation benefits and a separate third-party personal injury claim. If someone other than your employer has caused or contributed to your injuries, such as a contractor or construction site owner, you may have grounds to sue that party. A third-party claim allows you to seek compensation for losses that workers’ compensation does not cover.
How Long Do I Have To File a Ladder Accident Lawsuit in New York?
New York’s statute of limitations generally gives three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, different deadlines may apply when a claim involves a government entity or the death of a construction worker. Our ladder accident attorneys can review your situation and determine the deadlines that apply to your case.
What if I Were Partially Responsible for the Accident?
You may receive workers’ compensation benefits even if you were entirely at fault for your injury, but sharing fault may affect the compensation you can receive via a third-party claim. Workers’ compensation benefits are generally available regardless of who caused the accident. However, New York’s comparative negligence law applies to third-party personal injury claims. Thus, if you pursue a claim against a party other than your employer, your compensation may be reduced by your share of the responsibility for your injury. A lawyer can review the circumstances and explain how your negligence may affect your case.
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At Lever & Ecker, we take your injury personally — because to us, you’re more than just a case. From day one, you’ll have our full attention, support, and relentless dedication to your recovery. Whether you’ve been injured in a crash, a fall, or on the job, we’re here to help you take the next step forward.
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