Injured on a construction site in New York City? Here’s what you need to know to hire the best construction site accident lawyer for your case.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site in NYC, you may be considering hiring an attorney. Construction sites can be dangerous places to work, and the injuries employees may sustain there can be serious.
New York lawmakers sought to protect injured workers by enacting workers’ compensation, personal injury, and labor laws. Perhaps you’ve tried to navigate the workers’ compensation or injury claim process on your own but have run into roadblocks. For example, employers aren’t always willing to pay you what you deserve.
That’s why you need a New York construction accident lawyer on your side. A construction injury attorney can search for critical evidence to support your accident claim, and work to get you the maximum compensation.
At Ferrante & Koenig, we want to relieve you of burdensome paperwork and tedious communications so you can focus on recovering from your injuries. Our attorneys are passionate about helping accident victims seek the compensation they deserve. We offer our clients compassionate, respectful, and skillful representation.
If you would like to speak to one of our experienced accident attorneys, contact us for a free consultation. We can discuss your accident, answer your questions, and let you know if we can help.
What Should I Do Immediately After Suffering a Construction Site Injury in NYC?
Your first priority after a construction accident is to seek medical treatment for any urgent injuries. At the same time, you should report your accident to a supervisor and collect important evidence. If you can, take photos of the accident scene and document any other pertinent details. If you cannot remain at the accident scene, ask a trusted representative to collect this information for you.
How Do I Know if I Should Speak to a Construction Injury Lawyer?
Any time you are injured in a construction accident, it’s best to consult a construction injury lawyer. While you are recovering from your injuries, it can be difficult to keep up with all the paperwork required by the insurance company. What’s more, an employer or insurance company may try to take advantage of your vulnerable position by cheating you out of the payment you deserve.
A construction injury lawyer can advise you of your legal rights and help you understand and navigate complicated New York accident laws. Your lawyer can help you discover whether you have a workers’ compensation claim or a lawsuit.
Determining fault can have a significant impact on the compensation amount you receive. However, fault can be difficult to determine. Do you have a workers’ compensation claim, a third-party liability claim, or an employer liability claim under New York’s labor laws? You need an attorney to help you sort through these complicated laws and determine what protection applies to your case. An experienced construction accident lawyer in NYC can advise you of your best options for recovering maximum compensation.
How Soon After My Construction Site Accident Should I Consult an Attorney?
You should contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. Much of your case may hinge on recovering evidence to prove your claim. As time goes on, evidence may be lost or destroyed, and witnesses’ memories may fade. You have the best chance at proving your claim if your attorney starts searching for evidence and interviewing witnesses soon after your accident.
Also, you should keep in mind the time sensitivity of the New York statute of limitations. You must notify your employer of a workers’ compensation claim within 30 days of your accident, and you must file a claim within two years of your accident. For personal injury cases, you generally have three years from the date of your injury to file a claim. After that time limit, a judge will throw out your case.
On What Basis Should I Evaluate Prospective NYC Construction Accident Lawyers?
To search for a qualified construction accident lawyer in New York, you should take the following steps:
- Ask friends and family for recommendations,
- Ask coworkers for recommendations,
- Ask attorneys who practice in other areas for recommendations,
- Check reviews on sites like Google and Avvo,
- Look for successful case results listed on an attorney’s website, and
- Look for attorneys who are willing to take a case to trial.
After you conduct an initial evaluation and narrow down a list of attorneys, you should set up consultations with each lawyer. A reputable attorney should offer a free consultation to give you a chance to get to know them and their practice style.
At the consultation, determine whether the lawyer seems like a good fit for your case. You should evaluate whether they are likely to advocate efficiently or draw your case out. You need an attorney who will work on contingency instead of expecting you to foot the bill upfront. You also want someone who communicates well and shows compassion. Ultimately, you need to evaluate whether you can trust a particular attorney with a case that means so much to you and your family.
If I Do Hire an Attorney, How Long Should I Expect My Case to Take?
At Ferrante & Koenig, we work as quickly as we can to resolve your case. We know that you have bills to pay and that you need your injury compensation immediately. That said, we never want to seem too eager to settle a case because an insurance company is likely to take advantage of that situation by offering less money than you deserve.
We successfully settle the majority of our construction accident injury cases. A settlement takes much less time and spares you the stress of a trial. However, if we think your case will achieve much more compensation by going to trial, we will advise you of the benefits and risks of that strategy. A trial can take three years or more. Ultimately, we leave the decision of whether to settle quickly or hold out for more money up to you.
What Are the Most Common Types of Construction Site Accidents?
Unfortunately, construction sites can be very dangerous. In fact, construction jobs are rated in the top ten most dangerous jobs in the US. Common accidents on construction sites include the following:
- Scaffolding Collapses,
- Ladder Accidents,
- Objects Falling,
- Crane Accidents,
- Roof Collapses, and
- Fatal Accidents.
If you have experienced one of these construction accidents, you likely suffered serious injuries. A New York construction accident attorney can help you find the best legal avenue for pursuing maximum injury compensation.
What Sort of Damages will a Construction Accident Lawyer Pursue on My Behalf?
A construction accident lawyer will determine which New York laws apply to your case and then fight to obtain the maximum available damages.
In a workers’ compensation case, you have limited ability to recover for your losses. This type of claim allows you to receive reimbursement for medical bills and a percentage of your average weekly wage. An advantage of a workers’ compensation claim is that you can file it even if you were at fault for the accident.
However, if you have a personal injury claim, you may be able to recover much more compensation. The following New York laws allow construction workers to file a personal injury claim in certain situations:
- NY Labor Law 200 requires safe working conditions, including the safe operation of machinery and equipment;
- NY Labor Law 240 requires workers to receive fall protection when working at heights and protects them from the hazards of falling objects; and
- NY Labor Law 241 protects workers from specific hazards such as construction elevators, slip and fall hazards, and other dangers.
If your claim falls under one of these laws, you may be able to recover extensive damages, including: medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of future earnings. Your accident lawyer can help you calculate your total damages and present a fair compensation request.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Construction Accident Attorney?
At Ferrante & Koenig, we work on contingency. This means that we don’t charge you anything until we win your case. Once you receive your settlement or trial award, you pay us an agreed-upon percentage of your compensation. If we lose your case, you owe us nothing.
If I Get a Free Consultation, Will I Be Obligated to Hire a Lawyer?
We encourage you to contact us for a free consultation with no strings attached. We want you to have the chance to ask us questions and get our opinion on your case without feeling pressured to hire us. Take the first step to recovering the construction accident compensation you need by contacting us for a free consultation today.