In New York City, numerous construction sites entail tasks on tall buildings, high-rises, and skyscrapers. Regrettably, this also implies a significant risk of workers sustaining injuries from falling objects in NYC. Accidents involving falling objects on construction sites can happen when items or materials are accidentally dropped from scaffolding or elevated areas, when machinery malfunctions or releases loads they are transporting, or when sections of the building or structure being built or renovated detach and fall.
Whether a falling object while on the job as a construction worker has injured you or you were hurt while simply walking by a construction site, you deserve the opportunity to seek compensation for your medical treatment, lost wages, or other losses you have suffered. An NYC falling object injury lawyer can provide the legal assistance you need to pursue financial recovery.
If falling objects on a construction site in New York City harmed you, contact The William Pager Law Firm, today for a free initial case evaluation. Learn more about what an NYC construction accident attorney can do to help you seek financial compensation for your injuries.
In This Article:
- Why Choose Our Construction Accident Attorneys for Your Case
- How Our NYC Falling Object Injury Lawyers Can Help You
- Do I File for Workers’ Compensation or File a Lawsuit After a Falling Object Accident?
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Falling Object Injury?
- Time Limit for Filing a Claim after Being Struck by a Falling Object
- Falling Object Hazards on Construction Sites
- Types of Injuries from Falling Objects on Job Sites
Why Choose Our Construction Accident Attorneys for Your Case?
We take great pride in our record of accomplishment of assisting numerous individuals who have suffered from catastrophic injuries, ensuring they receive the necessary outcomes to progress both financially and emotionally. Throughout our journey, both clients and fellow law firms have entrusted us with their most intricate injury cases, seeking our expertise in navigating these challenging situations. Our unwavering commitment lies in delivering unparalleled representation to those who have been harmed.
Clients in New York choose us to help them with their cases because of:
- Our proven record of success in catastrophic injury cases, which includes having secured more than a half-billion dollars in compensation for our clients
- Our more than four decades of legal experience, which includes handling landmark court cases that have resulted in changes to the law that benefit the rights of accident victims
- Our team of highly experienced trial litigators, backed by leading experts
- The respect of our legal peers, evidenced by the fact that many attorneys choose to refer their most complex catastrophic injury cases to us
- Our extensive resources, which allow us to take a full-service approach to your case
How Our NYC Falling Object Injury Lawyers Can Help You
When you have suffered a falling object injury in a construction site accident in NYC, let the attorneys of William Pager Law Firm help you pursue compensation that can help with your recovery by:
- Reviewing your legal options for financial recovery, including whether you may be entitled to pursue a workers’ compensation or a personal injury claim
- Investigating the facts and circumstances of the accident to identify the parties who may be responsible for your injuries and losses
- Working with accident reconstruction, engineering, and construction site safety experts to help us persuasively explain the fault of other parties for the accident and your injuries
- Hiring medical, vocational, and financial experts to help document your injuries and calculate your present and future anticipated expenses and losses
- Preparing and filing workers’ comp and insurance claims on your behalf to aggressively pursue the financial benefits you need for your recovery
Pursuing workers’ compensation claims or personal injury lawsuits if litigation becomes needed to demand compensation from the parties who are liable for your injuries
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Do I File for Workers’ Compensation or File a Lawsuit After a Falling Object Accident?
If you have been injured in a falling object construction accident, you may be able to pursue compensation through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, through a personal injury claim, or potentially both. Here is more information about these types of claims:
- Workers’ Compensation: Injured workers are entitled to receive benefits under their workers’ compensation insurance regardless of fault. These benefits may encompass medical coverage, wage replacement, and vocational rehabilitation. For instance, if a construction worker sustains injuries due to a falling object incident caused by their employer’s negligence, pursuing a workers’ compensation claim generally stands as the primary avenue for seeking financial compensation from their employer.
- Civil Injury Lawsuits: Injured construction workers may have the right to file civil personal injury lawsuits in cases involving negligent third parties or violations of NY Labor law. These suits can provide compensation beyond what is available through workers’ compensation, including damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, and future earnings.
The method of seeking compensation for your injuries depends on your accident’s circumstances. You can receive workers’ compensation while pursuing a civil personal injury claim. However, any recovery from a personal injury claim may be subject to reimbursing your employer or its insurer for workers’ comp benefits already paid. Our firm assists construction accident clients in navigating both workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, addressing any related issues like workers’ compensation liens or credits.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Falling Object Injury?
Depending on the cause and nature of the falling object accident, multiple parties may be responsible for injuries.
Liable parties in a falling object injury claim may include:
- A construction site’s general contractor, who is responsible for enforcing worksite safety rules and OSHA regulations
- A subcontractor on the construction site if one of their employees causes an object to fall
- The property owner of the construction site, who may be responsible if a falling object injury is caused by a dangerous or defective condition of the owner’s property
- A manufacturer of tools, equipment, or machinery used on the construction site if a design or manufacturing defect causes a piece of equipment or machinery to break off and fall onto someone or if defective equipment or machinery drops objects
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Time Limit for Filing a Claim after Being Struck by a Falling Object
If a falling object injures you at a construction site, time is of the essence in seeking compensation. As a construction worker on-site, you are generally eligible to file for workers’ compensation benefits if injured by a falling object. According to New York’s workers’ compensation law, you are typically required to inform your employer of the injury within 30 days of the accident. Prompt notification is encouraged for swift action.
You have two years from the date of your last payment of workers’ comp benefits to file a formal workers’ compensation claim with the state workers’ compensation division to pursue benefits from your employer if your employer:
- Denies you workers’ comp benefits
- Doesn’t pay you the full benefits you believe you are entitled to
- Tries to terminate your benefits
If you have a personal injury claim arising from a falling object injury, New York’s statute of limitations on injury claims typically requires you to file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident date. For example, you might file this type of claim if you were injured while working on a construction site due to a third party is negligence or if you were injured by a falling object as an innocent pedestrian walking past a construction site.
Failing to file your workers’ comp claim or personal lawsuit on time may lead to the loss of your right to recover compensation under those claims. This makes it important to speak to an NYC falling object injury attorney as soon as possible to begin the process of investigating and pursuing your claims.
Falling Object Hazards on Construction Sites
Though there are many risks on construction sites, those involving falling items are among the most concerning. The most serious accidents that are associated with thousands of serious and fatal injuries each year are classified by OSHA among its “Fatal Four.”
The “Fatal Four” construction accident types include:
- Falls from heights
- Electrocution
- Caught between objects
- Struck-by/falling object
In the construction industry, falling object accidents can involve an array of projects, objects, and failures, including:
- Falling building materials, including metal, masonry, and metal fittings
- Dropped objects, including hand tools, power tools, and pneumatics
- Objects that fall from hoists, cranes, scaffolding, and forklifts
- Falling debris from demolition projects
Because falling objects are such a major risk on construction sites in New York City, there is an abundance of workplace safety regulations and laws that require employers, contractors, and property owners to take steps that protect against injuries stemming from these hazards. This can include requirements to:
- Provide proper PPE, including hard hats and head protection
- Properly brace and secure objects and materials to prevent them from falling
- Use catch platforms and safety nets to save people from being struck by falling objects
- Ensure workers are trained, certified, and properly supervised in the use of hoists, forklifts, and cranes
- Cease the use of cranes and other machinery in high-wind or inclement conditions
- Address potential hazards on premises that can cause or contribute to falling object accidents
Having handled numerous construction accident claims, our New York City falling object injuries lawyers understand the risks of falling objects and the need to help injured workers hold at-fault parties accountable. We perform in-depth investigations into our clients’ accidents to identify potential violations that may give rise to liability. This can include violations of:
- NY Labor Law 240, which applies to gravity-related hazards including falling objects and people falling from heights.
- NY Labor Law 241, which allows workers to sue owners, contractors, and others for Industrial Code violations involving specific unsafe conditions or practices.
NY Labor Law 200, which concerns claims against site owners or contractors who fail to provide safe workplaces.
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Types of Injuries from Falling Objects on Job Sites
Large or high-falling objects can result in severe injuries when they strike someone below. Common injuries experienced by victims of construction site accidents due to falling objects include:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
- Spine injuries, including herniated disc injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Amputations
Our New York City falling object injuries attorneys work closely with victims of catastrophic injuries to hold negligent parties responsible for their careless actions.
Talk to Our NYC Construction Falling Objects Attorneys Now
Do not wait to contact the NYC falling object injury attorney of William Pager Law Firm following a falling object injury. We offer free, no-obligation consultations so you can learn more about your legal options for pursuing the financial resources you need for medical recovery and to help get your life back on track after suffering catastrophic injuries.
Why Choose The William Pager Law Firm?
For over 23 years, The William Pager Law Firm has distinguished itself through a steadfast commitment to actively listen to and thoroughly understand the experiences of our clients. Our dedication to aggressively seeking just and appropriate compensation for those injured in New York is unwavering.
- Empathetic Listening: We prioritize your recovery, ensuring empathetic listening and maintaining clear, consistent communication to effectively advocate on your behalf.
- Pressure Alleviation: Trust us to lift the burden off your shoulders. We meticulously gather every detail of your case and skillfully negotiate with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing.
- Strategic Advocacy: Our approach to your case and representation is never casual but always intentional and strategic, tailored to meet your needs through our extensive experience.
- Unyielding Commitment: Our drive doesn’t fade with fatigue; we persevere until we achieve the desired outcome.
Concentrate on your recovery; let The William Pager Law Firm handle the rest, ensuring your voice is heard and your rights are protected.