Construction is a dangerous trade. Worksites are full of hazards that regularly lead to accidents, often with terrible consequences for the injured worker. Construction sites are also hazardous for the people who pass by, or live or work in the area.
If you were injured in a construction accident, seek help from an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Collecting evidence early, before it is lost or witnesses’ memories fade, helps to build the most robust case for compensation. Call Richmond Vona, LLC today to discuss your legal options with a Williamsville construction accident lawyer.
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Types of Construction Site Accidents
A worker or visitor to a construction site must navigate many hazards. Trips over cords, debris, or uneven walkways are frequent, as is the risk of falling from heights such as ladders or scaffolding. Electrocution is also a common cause of injury or death among construction workers. Other accidents that can cause catastrophic harm to anyone in the vicinity include:
Forklift, front-end loader, dump truck, and other construction vehicle incidents
A Williamsville injury attorney can investigate the circumstances of an accident at or around a construction site. Legal options for holding the responsible parties accountable depend on whether the injured person was working on the site or passing by.
Remedies for Construction Workers Injured on the Job
New York employers must carry Workers’ Compensation insurance. It provides medical care to injured workers and a partial wage until they are well enough to return to work. Because of this, in most cases, workers cannot bring a lawsuit against their employer seeking damages for their injuries.
However, a worker is able to sue a third party whose negligence caused the injury. For example, if an independent contractor, an employee of a different company, a site owner, or a manufacturer was responsible for the accident, the injured individual could hold them liable in court. The responsible party could be liable to pay the worker’s medical costs, lost wages, and noneconomic damages like pain, suffering, and lost enjoyment of life.
Additionally, New York Workers’ Compensation Law § 11 allows a third party to bring the employer into the lawsuit if they are being sued by an injured worker who sustains one of the following:
Loss of an index finger
Severe and permanent facial disfigurement
Loss of nose or an ear
Complete, permanent loss of use or amputation of a hand, arm, foot, leg, or multiple fingers or toes
A Williamsville construction accident attorney can help an individual establish an at-fault third party.
Proving Negligence in a Construction Accident
Anyone seeking to hold another party legally responsible for injuries from a construction incident must prove negligence. Construction is a highly regulated industry, and any evidence of non-compliance with applicable regulations can help establish liability.
A Williamsville attorney can review accident reports and other records the general contractor or construction site foreman made at the time of the accident. Reviewing the company’s history of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations can also provide useful information about the company’s commitment to safety. Additionally, legal professionals can speak with witnesses, city inspectors, and other workers to get information that might be evidence of negligence.
Enlist the Help of a Williamsville Construction Accident Attorney
Whether you were working on the site or passing nearby when you were injured, you deserve compensation for the harm you sustained in a construction accident. We can help you hold the negligent parties who caused the incident liable for your damages.
Speak with a Williamsville construction accident lawyer from Richmond Vona, LLC, as soon as possible after the event.
With over 25 years of combined personal injury experience, our co-founding attorneys, John E. Richmond and Keith R. Vona, have helped injury victims and their family members recover more than $150 million in financial relief.
John E. Richmond
Co-Founding Member
As one of New York’s top personal injury attorneys, John E. Richmond understands that clients come first. With over a decade of experience representing plaintiffs, he knows how to hold negligent corporations and big insurance companies liable.
In his nearly 15 years in practice, Keith has been consistently recognized for his client service and record of results. He has been selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list four times (2013 to 2016), an honor reserved for the top up-and-coming attorneys.
