NYC Building Collapse Accident Attorney
Building a structure isn’t easy. Every aspect of the process must be done with care and the greatest attention to detail. The slightest mistake in the design, engineering, or construction can have devastating consequences.
Have you been injured in a building collapse on a New York City construction site? If so, you might be entitled to compensation. However, actually getting money in your hands can be a challenge. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the consequences of your accident on your own. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Mirman, Markovits, and Landau PC will help you fight for the money you need and deserve.
Since 1977, we’ve been the fiercest advocates for injured construction workers in New York. We understand how devastating a construction site accident can be for you and your family. We also know how important money is at a time like this. That’s why we’ll go above and beyond to secure a settlement or award on your behalf.
Contact our New York City law office to schedule a free consultation. We’re always available to take your call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Why Should I Hire an Injury Lawyer After a NYC Building Collapse?
If you’ve been injured in a building collapse, chances are you’ve got a lot on your plate right now. Medical bills can add up quickly. If you’re unable to work, a sudden loss of income can make things worse. While you might be entitled to comepnsation, a lot of people will try to stand between you and the money you deserve. Insurance companies, employers, and negligent third parties will fight you every step of the way.
You’ve got enough to think about without the added stress of an injury claim or lawsuit. Hiring a construction accident attorney gives you time to focus on getting better. It also puts you in the best position to get all of the money you need and deserve.
When you call Mirman, Markovits, and Landau PC for help, you’ll get nothing less than our best. Our attorneys have more than a century of combined experience handling complicated construction accident cases. Our aggressive strategies have helped us recover more than $1 Billion in comepnsation for injured accident victims like you.
We know New York labor laws inside and out. We’re familiar with the tactics insurance companies and employers will use to drive down the value of your claim. We know how to approach your case and design a winning strategy to give you the best shot at the money you deserve.
Contact our experienced NYC construction accident lawyers to discuss your case and learn more today.
Why Do Buildings Collapse on NYC Construction Sites?
Buildings don’t just collapse and fall for no reason. Buildings collapse because, somewhere along the line, someone was negligent. Leading causes of building collapse in New York City include:
- Poor building design
- Architectural or engineering mistakes
- Weak, damaged, or flawed foundation
- The use of low-quality or defective building materials
- Too much weight inside a structure
- Ceiling collapse
- Failure to take proper safety precautions during demolition, remodeling, or construction
- Failure to strength test the structure during construction, and
- Construction worker error.
Buildings collapse because of a lack of structural integrity. Everyone involved in a construction project must ensure that the structure can properly support its designated load. Any errors during the construction process can compromise a building’s structural integrity and cause a collapse.
Who’s Liable For My Injuries After a Structural Collapse in NYC?
In New York, anyone who contributes to a building collapse can be financially responsible for resulting injuries or damages. If you get hurt because of a structural collapse, you might be able to seek compensation from any of the following parties.
Engineers and Architects: Engineers and architects are responsible for designing the structure. It’s their job to make sure that the design is safe and structurally sound. They have to factor in things like the foundation, materials used, anticipated load, and even the height. When a building collapses because of aa negligent design, engineers or architects might be responsible.
Property Owners: Under Section 200 of New York’s Labor Laws, property owners and general contractors have to “provide reasonable and adequate protection” for workers and bystanders. Failure to do this can be considered negligence and result in liability.
General Contractors: A general contractor has to execute the design provided by engineers and architects. They have to make sure that the materials secured for the job are appropriate and safe. It’s also the general contractor who has to make sure that the foundation is formed in compliance with New York’s very specific regulations. This includes closely monitoring soil composition, fill material, and other foundation requirements. The general contractor must also supervise any subcontractors who are brought in to help with various aspects of construction. When mistakes are made, the general contractor can be liable for resulting injuries.
Subcontractors: Subcontractors are also responsible for executing the design provided by engineers and architects. A subcontractor’s failure to follow directions and provide precise work can result in mistakes that compromise a structure’s integrity.
Demolition Companies: In order to build a new structure, old ones might have to be demolished. Demolition is a very controlled art. If a demolition company fails to take certain safety precautions, the results can be catastrophic.
Material and Equipment Suppliers: Sometimes buildings collapse because the materials or equipment used in construction are defective. Even the most attentive general contractor might not be able to identify defects in materials before they’re used. When this happens, the company responsible for manufacturing or selling the materials can be liable for resulting injuries after a structure fails.
It’s important to identify everyone who might be even partly to blame for your building collapse injuries. Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your construction accident. We’ll do our best to figure out the cause(s). In turn, this information can help us determine who played a role in allowing you to get hurt.
We Handle All Building Collapse Injury Cases
At Mirman, Markovits, and Landau PC, we’ll fight tirelessly to get money for all of your building collapse injuries, including:
- Amputation
- Back injury
- Brain injury
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Chest injury
- Crushing injury
- Eye injury
- Head injury
- Neck injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injury
- Wrongful death, and more.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation. Can’t visit our personal injury law firm? That shouldn;t stop you from getting the help you deserve. That’s why we can come to you. Our attorneys can visit you at work, at home, or at the hospital while you recover. All you have to do is make the call and ask for our help. It’s that easy.
How Can I Get Money After I’m Injured in a NYC Building Collapse?
There are three ways you might be able to recover compensation after you get hurt on a NYC construction site: workers’ compensation benefits, personal injury lawsuit, wrongful death claim.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If you’re a construction worker and you’ve been hurt on the job in NYC, you’re entitled to seek workers’ compensation benefits. When you file a claim for workers’ compensation, you waive your right to sue your employer. In exchange, you can accelerate the process of recovering money for your injuries.
However, you’ll only be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, and disability. You’ll also have to comply with strict rules set up by your employer’s insurance company. You can only see their pre-approved doctors, and there will be limits on the benefits you can receive.
The insurance company and your employer will make it tough for you the get the money you deserve. The best thing you can do is to ask an experienced NYC personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
Just because you waived the right to sue your employer doesn’t mean you’ve waived your right to sue other negligent parties. You may still have a legitimate case against a property owner, contractor, engineer, or manufacturer.
When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you’re entitled to seek a wider range of damages. This can include money for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other accident-related damages. Find out more by speaking to a personal injury lawyer in New York.
Wrongful Death Claim
Building collapses can have devastating consequences. Sometimes, those injured in a collapse don’t survive their injuries. If someone you love has been killed in a fatal NYC building collapse, you might have the right to file a wrongful death claim. With a wrongful death lawsuit, you can seek damages for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and your loss of companionship.
When Do I Have to File an Injury Claim After a Building Collapse?
It can take a while to get back on your feet after you’re injured in a New York City building collapse. However, we urge you not to hesitate to assert your right to seek compensation. You risk leaving valuable money on the table if you wait too long. How much time you have depends on how you decide to pursue compensation.
Workers’ Compensation: You must notify your employer of the accident within 30 days. Then you’ll have one year to formally submit a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
Personal Injury Lawsuit: The statute of limitations for bodily injury claims is three years. You will lose the right to demand compensation if you don’t file a claim within three years of the date of your accident.
Not sure how much time you have left to file a claim? Contact our experienced NYC building collapse attorneys for immediate assistance. We’ll get to work on your case right away.
Call Our NYC Building Collapse Lawyers For Help
Are you struggling with a painful injury after a building collapse in New York? Contact the experienced legal team at Mirman, Markovits, and Landau PC to learn about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation, and we’re here to help you fight for every dollar you need and deserve.
Call our NYC law office today to discuss your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t pay us unless we win your case. We simply recover a percentage of whatever compensation we recover on your behalf. There’s no risk in asking for our help, so give us a quick call today.