Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding is necessary during most construction projects in New York City. If a scaffold is not properly constructed, maintained or used, devastating construction accidents and worker injuries can occur. If you or a loved one is the victim of a scaffolding accident in NYC, the attorneys at Torgan Cooper + Aaron can help you seek justice and financial recovery. You may be eligible for compensation for many of your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Torgan Cooper + Aaron
- Our attorneys limit their caseloads so that they have plenty of time to dedicate to each client.
- Our lawyers have secured life-changing settlements and verdicts for past clients.
- We have courtroom strength that motivates insurance companies to take us and our clients’ cases more seriously.
- We are well-known in the industry. Many attorneys and judges refer cases to us.
- We are passionate about what we do; we will strive to make your future better.
How Can an NYC Construction Accident Attorney Help You?
Injury claims for scaffolding accidents and other types of construction disasters involve confusing laws and statutes. A lawyer can help you navigate these rules during a workers’ compensation claim or personal injury lawsuit in New York for the best possible results. A lawyer can prevent an insurance company from taking advantage of you by representing your rights and best interests through every phase of the legal process. A lawyer can also answer your legal questions and give you greater peace of mind as you heal and recover from serious scaffolding accident injuries.
What Causes Scaffolding Accidents in New York?
A scaffold is a temporary platform that construction workers, painters and masonry workers use to stand or sit on when working at any height above ground level. It is critical for scaffolds and scaffolding to be properly constructed; otherwise, they may collapse or malfunction while in use, leading to devastating worker falls. Scaffolding accidents may also involve tools and materials falling from the platform and striking workers standing below.
Some of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents in New York City are:
- Violated safety standards
- Defective equipment
- Missing pieces
- Lack of guardrails
- Slipping or tripping and falling (unsafe surfaces)
- Improper scaffold construction
- Scaffold failures
- Careless workers
- Improper worker training on how to build and use scaffolds
- Poor construction site management/supervision
- Lack of proper securement and falling objects
- Lack of personal fall protection equipment
- Bad weather and wear and tear
- Lack of scaffolding inspections
Most of these hazards are preventable. They result from negligence, or the failure to use an appropriate level of care. If a construction company is negligent in training its workers to properly construct scaffolds, for example, this can increase the risk of a scaffolding collapse. If negligence caused or contributed to your scaffolding accident in NYC, you may be able to hold the negligent party accountable.
Common Scaffolding Accident Injuries
Scaffolding accidents are often catastrophic for victims due to the nature of the disaster. These incidents often involve falls from great heights or falling objects that can seriously injure workers standing below. People and objects falling from significant heights can cause life-altering physical injuries, including:
- Bone fractures
- Head trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Permanent disabilities
- Lacerations and scarring
- Organ damage
- Fatal injuries
A scaffolding accident in New York City can also cause emotional, mental and psychological damage. An injured worker may suffer from chronic pain, disability or immobility, reduced quality or enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder after a scaffolding disaster.
Most Frequently Violated OSHA Standards
Broken federal safety regulations are a common cause of scaffolding accidents in New York City. According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), scaffolding issues are the fourth most commonly cited safety standard violation in the U.S. Scaffolds in construction must be built correctly and used in accordance with federal safety standards to help prevent worker injuries and deaths.
In the fiscal year 2020, OSHA reported the following as the 10 most frequently violated standards:
- Fall protection in the construction industry
- Hazard communication
- Respiratory protection
- General scaffolding requirements
- Ladder safety in construction
- Control of hazardous energy
- Powered industrial trucks
- Fall protection training
- Eye and face protection
- Machinery and machine guarding
Several of these broken standards apply to the use of scaffolds in construction. Lack of proper fall protection, ignoring general scaffolding requirements and poor fall protection training can all increase the risk of deadly scaffolding accidents. If you believe that your employer or a coworker contributed to your accident by violating an OSHA safety standard, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit instead of or in addition to a workers’ compensation claim.
How to Pursue Compensation for a Scaffolding Accident in New York City
If you suffered an injury in a scaffolding accident as a construction worker in New York, you are eligible for financial benefits through the workers’ compensation program. This is a no-fault insurance system that does not require you to prove that your employer or a coworker was negligent in contributing to your accident. Instead, all you will need to prove is that you were performing job-related tasks at the time of your scaffold accident injuries.
If someone caused or contributed to your accident, you may be eligible for greater financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit instead of workers’ comp. Although you or your lawyer must prove negligence to receive compensation through a lawsuit, your recovery can include an amount for losses such as pain and suffering and punitive damages.
It may be possible to recover compensation through both legal options if someone other than your employer is liable for your scaffolding accident, such as a property owner or product manufacturer. Discuss all of your legal options with our attorneys before accepting a settlement.
Speak to Our Scaffolding Accident Attorneys in New York City Today
Scaffolding accidents are some of the most catastrophic construction site accidents in New York City. If you or a loved one is the victim of a scaffolding accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation to help you and your family move forward. A successful case can give you what you need to pay for your related expenses, such as medical bills or funeral and burial costs for a deceased loved one.
Torgan Cooper + Aaron can help you by taking care of complicated legal processes for you while you undergo treatments or rehabilitation. We are experienced and skilled construction accident attorneys who can assist you in many different ways. We represent clients in Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and beyond. Please contact us today to start your case with a free initial consultation.