Is a General Contractor Liable For The Actions of a Subcontractor?
Construction projects generally involve a number of subcontractors, who are hired by the general contractor to handle various aspects of the project – from roofing to flooring, masonry, plumbing, HVAC work, electrical work, carpentry, and many more.
If and when a construction accident happens on a New York construction site due to the negligence of a subcontractor, the general contractor can be held liable for the resulting injuries and deaths.
When Can a Company Be Held Liable for the Actions of a Subcontractor?
Under New York’s Scaffold Law, construction workers who are injured as a result of a gravity-related accident – falling from a height or getting struck by an object falling from a height – can sue the property owner, general contractor.
Under the law, property owners, general contractors, and construction companies can be held strictly liable for any gravity related accident that happens on the construction site – even if it is caused by the negligence of a subcontractor.
In order to file a claim against the owner or general contractor or company under the Scaffold Law and recover damages, all an injured worker needs to establish is:
- They were injured in a gravity related accident
- They were engaged in an activity which is covered under the law at the time of the accident
Apart from this, there are times when an owner or general contractor can be held liable for an accident caused by a subcontractor’s negligence – even if the accident in question is not covered under the Scaffold Law.
Make Sure You Have an Experienced Construction Accident Lawyer on Your Side
The liability issues stemming from a New York construction accident can be extremely complicated to sort out for the average person. Only a skilled lawyer can determine who can be held liable for the accident and the extent of their liability.
It should be noted that filing a workers’ comp claim does not prohibit you from suing the owner or the general contractor for violating the Scaffold Law. Similarly, you have the right to sue any third-party whose negligence contributed to the accident and recover damages – in addition to the damages you are entitled under the workers’ compensation program.
Injured in a Construction Accident? Our Competent New York Construction Accident Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you need effective legal representation in order to recover the monetary damages you are entitled to. The New York construction accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff have more than 100 years of combined experience in handling Scaffold Law claims and other construction accident-related claims and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We will hold all the at-fault parties accountable, negotiate aggressively with the insurance company, and will not relent until we recover every dollar you are owed. Call us today at 212-962-1020 or get in touch with us online and schedule a free consultation with a seasoned New York construction accident attorney.