Scaffold Accidents Attorney NYC
Construction workers who are injured as a result of a scaffolding accident have a right to compensation in accordance with New York’s strict labor laws. Property owners and contractors have a duty to maintain a safe working environment on a construction site, and in New York State, these labor laws protect workers who are injured as a result of a property owner or contractor disobeying these laws. These labor laws in New York are generally regarded as some of the most powerful in the country, and it is your right as a worker to be compensated if these laws are violated by a property owner or contractor.
Each year, there are over 500,000 accidents that occur on construction sites. Out of those 500,000, more than 100,000 of those accidents are a direct result of
scaffolds, with 72% of victims indicating that a scaffold played some sort of role in the accident. About 65% of all construction workers in the United States perform some sort of construction work on a scaffold, so it is no surprise that many of these workers fall victim to scaffolding accidents. There is no excuse for a scaffolding accident—it’s time to let the powerful New York labor laws work for you.
New York Labor Law 240 was enacted to make sure that construction workers who are injured from a “gravity-related event” or “elevated risk”, such as falling from a scaffold or ladder, can be compensated. If you are involved in a scaffolding accident, then there can be a claim brought against the responsible party, or parties, in accordance with New York Labor Law 240. Contact our scaffold accidents attorneys in New York today.
Over Half A Billion in Verdicts & Settlements for Our Clients
The Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff employs an unrelenting approach to get our clients the justice they deserve. Our scaffold accidents attorneys in New York will employ vigorous negotiation tactics to produce a successful settlement, or we will take your case all the way to trial. In either case, we have won exceptional awards for our clients who were victims of slip and fall or trip and fall accidents.
$1,500,000 recovered in a case involving a construction worker who was injured when he fell from unsecured scaffold.
$6,500,000 settlement awarded to a union construction worker who fell from an unsecured ladder which resulted in a leg fracture and spinal injuries.
$5,500,000 verdict awarded construction worker who was injured when a wood bracing collapsed while exiting a ditch resulting in spinal injuries.
$3,000,000 obtained for a laborer who was injured when he fell from an 18-foot ladder that was not secured properly.
Why "The Bull" is the only choice for your scaffold accident lawsuit
Michael Lamonsoff, owner and founder of the Law Offices of Michael S, Lamonsoff is known as “the bull” to his clients because of his relentless fight to win them the highest awards possible. At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, our modus operandi is simple: out-litigate the competition. The harder and more effectively our New York scaffold accident lawyers litigate, the more insurance companies and large corporations will weaken. Such entities do not simply pay for damages out of the goodness of their hearts—they need their feet held to the fire by a force equal to or greater than themselves. We do not stop until you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free case analysis.
Member of:
- Board of Directors of NY State Trial Lawyers Association
- American Association for Justice
- NY County Lawyers Association
Educated at:
- University of Arizona
- Benjamin N. Cordozo School of Law
- Double post-masters degrees in psychology at Columbia University
Awards:
- 6X Super Lawyers Panel
- Million Dollar and Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forum
The Scaffold Law
How is liability determined after a scaffolding accident?
In New York, it can be difficult to determine which party is responsible for an injury resulting from a scaffolding accident. Any party other than your employer who was negligent and allowed you to get hurt on the job site involving a scaffold could ultimately be held responsible for your injury. Some of these include:
- Property owners
- Construction companies
- General contractors or subcontractors
In accordance with New York Labor Law 240, also known as “scaffold law”, these third parties are held strictly responsible for injuries suffered by workers who either fall off a scaffold or have a piece of equipment fall off an elevated area and strike them.
If a scaffolding accident occurred on the job, can I bring a lawsuit?
If a scaffolding accident occurred on the job, you can still bring a lawsuit against a third-party that was present or in charge of maintaining the job site. While your employers are usually protected by workers’ compensation laws, other parties involved on the job site such as property owners, construction companies, and general contractors or subcontractors are not, and they can be held fully responsible for an injury resulting from a scaffolding accident in accordance with New York Labor Law 240.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a scaffolding accident in NYC?
In New York State, the statute of limitations to bring a lawsuit for a scaffolding accident
occurring on private property is three years from the date of the accident. As soon as a scaffolding accident occurs, the statute of limitations begins to run. However, if the accident occurs on a municipal property, and the municipality can be held responsible, you must serve a legal document referred to as a Notice of Claim on the appropriate parties within 90 days of the accident. If this is not done, then New York State law will prohibit you from bringing a lawsuit.
It is critical that you immediately contact the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff after a scaffolding accident. Your compensation and recovery of damages depends upon it.
More on New York labor laws and the importance of contacting the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff
Generally, the construction being done that falls in line with New York Labor Law 240 takes place on a structure, such as a building, towers, garages, bridges, subway or railroad tunnels, and boats, with the type of work relating to erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning, pointing of a building, and erection of scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, handers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes and other devices.
Other than New York Labor Law 240, New York Labor Law 241(6) is another one of New York’s Labor Laws that was enacted to protect construction workers on job sites. Under New York Labor Law 241(6), property owners, contractors, architects, and even manufacturers of equipment must all abide by the many provisions of the New York State Industrial Code. One of the more common rules in the New York State Industrial Code pertaining to workers is Rule 23, which involves such matters as PPE, tools, explosives, cranes, power-operated equipment, improper use of chemicals, and structural steel assembly. For example, if you slip on spilled chemicals, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries in accordance with Rule 23 and New York Labor Law 241(6). Point being, these laws offer multiple aspects of attacking your case and getting the compensation you deserve.
New York’s Labor Laws were enacted to protect the rights of workers, while also serving as a reminder to property owners, contractors, architects, and equipment manufacturers that they will be held accountable if they do not ensure that they are providing a safe and proper environment on a construction site. These labor laws were enacted by New York State for a reason—to protect workers. If you were injured as a result of a scaffolding accident, then you have a right to hold the responsible party, or parties, accountable, and should call the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff for a free case evaluation.
Types of injuries caused by scaffolding accidents
There are many different types of injuries that are caused by scaffolding accidents, most of them being severe. Some common injuries caused by scaffolding accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries, such as a concussion
- Broken bones
- Eye-related injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Limb dismemberment
- Crush injuries
- Shoulder and knee tears
- Death
Many of these injuries require surgical procedures and extensive treatment, with some producing permanent damage.
What are the most common causes of scaffolding accidents?
Scaffolding accidents are one of the most common types of accidents on a construction site. Some of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents include:
- Falling objects
- Complete or partial scaffolding collapse
- Tripping or slipping on an object resulting in a fall off a scaffold
- Lifelines or fastenings that are not secure
- Inadequate guard railing
- Lack of or insufficient support devices
- Deficient uprights.
Six steps to take after a scaffolding accident
- Immediately seek medical attention. It is important that either you or your loved one sees a doctor to make sure your injuries are documented and treated as soon as possible.
- Report the scaffolding accident to either your employer, property owner, or any individual responsible for running the job site on that day. It is important to document the scaffolding accident in writing, if possible.
- If you receive a call from someone asking for you to make an official statement, even if it is your own employer, it is usually in your best interest not to do so, and you have no legal obligation to make one. If you have already retained our services, let the caller know that you are represented by an attorney and give them your lawyer’s contact information. We will take it from there.
- Take photographs or video of where the accident happened, in addition to anything else you feel is relevant in causing your scaffolding accident.
- If there were any witnesses to your accident, try to get their name(s) and contact information. Witnesses can provide very valuable testimony regarding how the scaffolding accident happened.
- Immediately call us for a free consultation and case evaluation.
It’s critical that you seek our services after a scaffolding accident
The knowledgeable and experienced NYC personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff know what it takes to make sure you get rightful compensation for your injuries sustained in a scaffolding accident case. As soon as we are retained, we start an investigation into which parties are responsible and how we can hold them accountable for violating New York’s Labor Laws. No stone is left unturned to build the strongest case possible, and we are prepared to take your case all the way to trial if necessary. Call for a free consultation with an experienced scaffolding accident lawyer in NYC