Construction sites are inherently dangerous areas. Objects can fall onto workers and pedestrians, heavy machinery can malfunction and inadequately secured scaffolding can lead to falls and injuries. With so many workers, subcontractors, and contributing factors to potential injuries, it can be incredibly difficult to determine liability, pursue justice, and obtain compensation you deserve. You need the help of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney on your side.
Reid B. Wissner Law Offices has been helping injury victims for more than 30 years. If you are seeking a trusted construction accident attorney in the Bronx, Brooklyn or Queens, contact us today by completing the form on this page or calling 212-406-9288 to schedule a free initial consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so you won’t have to pay any upfront fees and you don’t owe us anything unless your case is successful.
Client Testimonial
"Mr. Reid Wissner is a great injury attorney. He worked extremely hard to help settle my case. He has been dedicated to all of my needs and concerns during the entire case. His paralegal Mrs. Esrella was great as well, making me comfortable whenever I visited his office, and answered any questions I had. I will recommend him to anyone who needs an injury attorney to represent them." - R.R.
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Why Do Construction Accidents Happen?
Construction accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Safety and code violations are some of the most common reasons why. Employers are responsible for providing safe working conditions and are required to provide personal protective equipment. It is also necessary to train workers about job hazards in a language they can understand. These procedures are important, but are oftentimes overlooked.
Construction accidents can also happen due to defective or unreasonably dangerous equipment. This equipment is improperly designed, manufactured, or marketed. An example would be a circular saw blade that comes loose during use because it was not made correctly. These situations have one factor in common: negligence. Someone responsible for creating a safe work environment or a safe piece of equipment failed to use reasonable care.
Reasons Why You Might Need A Construction Accident Attorney
Insurance companies fully understand that when accidents occur on a construction site, there can be any number of contributing factors and liable parties. Insurers often attempt to deny or unfairly reduce your claim in order to minimize their losses. Almost immediately after your accident, you may start to get offers from insurance companies, but accepting these offers is not a good idea.
Reid Wissner understands the tactics used by insurance companies to deny and diminish your rightful claims. He will work closely with you to understand the full impact of your injuries and value your case for what it is truly worth. He will fight for your rights and protect you from predatory tactics. He will seek the maximum compensation to which you are entitled and won’t back down from a fight.
What is the statute of limitations for Construction accident cases?
Statutes of limitations dictate how long you have to file a claim for compensation after an injury. Be aware that each construction accident case may have a different statute of limitations. That is because they can fall under workers’ compensation, personal injury, or even product liability. Missing the deadline to file your claim will likely result in it being thrown out. Act fast to protect your rights, or risk losing the money that you deserve. Call today for a free legal consultation.
Common Types of Construction Accidents
Safety procedures should be in place to prevent a number of common construction site accidents, but the pressure to save money and time can place innocent workers and bystanders in harm’s way.
If you’ve been harmed on a construction site, Reid Wissner can help you recover the fair compensation you deserve for any type of injury, such as:
- Trip and falls
- Falls from heights
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Barricade accidents
- Burns
- Scaffold or ladder injuries
- Structural collapses
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
If you or a loved one has been involved in any of the construction accidents listed above, you may be liable for compensation. This compensation can help cover lost wages from missing work and physical therapy or medical bills.
How do you build a Construction accident case?
Building a construction accident case is not easy. That is why it is important to contact an attorney who has experience handling construction injury claims and insurance companies. Reid Wissner will steer the legal process to relieve your stress and help you focus on healing. Some common case-building steps include:
- Gathering evidence
- Contacting witnesses
- Securing expert testimony
Compensation in Construction Accident Cases
If you’ve suffered any type of injury, the ramifications of your injury can affect several aspects of your life. Reid Wissner can build a strong personal injury case specific to your unique circumstances and seek compensation for damages such as:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning potential
- Pain and suffering
During your free initial consultation, Mr. Wissner will evaluate your case and design an individualized legal strategy that best ensures you receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Am I Eligible For Compensation If I Was Injured While Walking Past a Construction Site?
Most construction accident injuries are suffered by workers. Yet there are times when someone gets injured while visiting or walking past a job site. It may be possible for that person to recover damages from the construction company, which has certain responsibilities.
For example, construction companies must keep public sidewalks near the job site free from bricks and other debris. Otherwise, a pedestrian may slip and fall when walking in the area. If you were hurt while visiting a construction site or walking by one, contact our attorney. He will investigate the incident and determine whether or not you can recover compensation.
Third-Party Construction Accidents
Construction sites are usually bustling with a variety of project managers, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, drivers and more. Too often, injured parties don’t fully understand the complicated nature of determining liability in construction accidents and settle for whatever worker’s compensation settlement they are offered – which is almost always far from what is fully needed.
It’s important to understand that you can receive workers' compensation from your employer and still pursue action against a third party for further damages. This is a common and successful strategy in construction accident cases and helps to maximize the value of your compensation.
Before filing for workers' comp or taking an additional settlement offer, it’s crucial to discuss your situation with our construction accident lawyer to ensure your best interests are being protected and all of your current and future needs are being met.
Whose Job is it to Ensure the Safety of a Construction Site?
Construction sites harbor a number of hazards even when the utmost care is given to safety. According to the New York Labor Laws, the general contractor and property owner hold the primary responsibility of ensuring the safety of their construction sites. These entities must also make sure that all workers have the proper equipment to do their jobs and to make sure that all equipment that is in use is reasonably safe.
Am I Entitled To Damages If I Fell From A Scaffolding?
According to Section 240 of New York Labor Law, protections are granted to workers who are injured in a fall from a high surface or in a scaffolding accident. In such instances, we look at the installation of the scaffolding to determine whether or not it is in accordance with the applicable safety standards. Furthermore, scaffolding must have well-maintained harnesses, hoists, and other safety gear. If you've been injured in a scaffolding accident, contact our office right away to explore the damages you may be entitled to.
Do I Sue My Employer If I Was Hurt On The Job At a Construction Site?
While it may sound logical to sue an employer for a workplace injury, this usually doesn't happen. That's because, as it applies to workplace injuries, workers' compensation overrides general personal injury law. There are exceptions to this rule but they rarely apply. One exception in which you might have a case against your employer is that at the time of your incident, they did not hold the required workers' compensation insurance.
Workers' compensation benefits are available to nearly any employee who has been hurt on the job. This system generally covers medical expenses in addition to approximately two-thirds of your average income prior to your getting hurt. While there are advantages to workers' compensation, such as not having to prove negligence, there are limitations too. For example, if you're hurt on the job, the insurance may dictate who you can select as your medical doctor.
Even if your claim falls under workers' compensation benefits, it can be to your best advantage to consult with a personal injury attorney. Here at Reid B. Wissner Law Offices, we've served clients for over three decades, finding where they may be entitled to damages outside of their work comp cases.
If I Was Hurt On The Job At A Construction Site, Is Workers' Comp My Only Option To Collect Damages?
Workers' compensation benefits serve as the leading avenue to receiving compensation for lost work and medical expenses. However, being covered under your employer's work comp plan doesn't mean that you no longer have the right to sue third parties that may have been involved in your accident.
Third parties may include a general contractor, architect, engineer, property owner, or even the manufacturer or installer of the equipment you were using at the time of your injury. Who you might sue and whether you can sue really comes down to the cause of the construction accident you were involved in.
Contact Us Today!
At Reid B. Wissner Law Offices, we know how problematic time off from work or medical bills occurring due to a careless injury that could have been avoided is. Our mission is to help you or a loved one receive the justice you deserve. Construction accident cases are incredibly complex and require the skill and knowledge of an experienced attorney.
If you have been injured in a construction accident, please call 212-406-9288 to discuss your legal casefor free. Reid B. Wissner Law Offices proudly serves clients from Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.
