New York City Ladder Accident Attorney

Ladder accidents are unfortunately common in the fast-paced construction industry of New York City. These incidents can lead to a variety of physical, mental, and financial costs, ranging from severe injuries to substantial medical expenses.

However, you might not have to bear the financial burden. 

If you or a loved one has been injured on a construction site in NYC, get in touch with a ladder accident attorney at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C.

To start seeking the compensation you deserve, get in touch with us at (646) 846-8926 for a free consultation. Since 1977, our team has built a track record of winning ladder injury lawsuits, and we’re ready to fight for your rights every step of the way. 

What Should I Do After a Ladder Accident in NYC?

If you’ve been injured from falling off a ladder, it’s important to pursue compensation with speed and diligence. This process begins with assessing your specific situation.

For example, if this accident occurred in the workplace, you can either pursue workers’ compensation or file a construction accident lawsuit. However, if you pursue workers’ compensation, this will waive your rights to sue for damages from your employer. 

So, before you file for workers’ compensation, consider speaking to an attorney to determine whether you could be entitled to a larger financial award. Filing a lawsuit can be a complex process, but with the help of our team, seeking compensation is as simple as three steps:

  1. Seek medical attention
  2. Collect evidence
  3. Consult an injury attorney

Seek Medical Attention

If you’ve been injured, the first step is to get yourself back on your feet. Seeking medical attention will also provide you with official documentation of the injury, which can be helpful when seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

Collect Evidence

Beyond these medical records, it’s also important to document the additional costs resulting from your injuries, such as lost wages or therapy sessions. This will help your attorney seek a financial award that takes into account all the effects of your accident. 

You’ll also want to make sure you document the location and circumstances of your injury. For example, if the ladder broke during use, make sure to take pictures of it to support your lawsuit. Your employer will also likely file an official report of your injury, so make sure to get yourself a copy as soon as possible.

Consult an Injury Attorney

At any time during this process, you can get in touch with an attorney to help you collect evidence, file a lawsuit, and pursue compensation. However, reaching out early will often work in your favor, as you’ll receive guidance and peace of mind throughout the entire process. 

The best part? With Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., you won’t incur any costs until you receive compensation, so you can reach out to us at any time with no risk or headache.

When Can I Seek Compensation for a NYC Ladder Accident?

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another party, whether it’s your boss or the manufacturer, you could be entitled to compensation. The most common injuries after falling off a ladder include:

  • Broken bones
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Head injury
  • Back and neck injury
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful death

After suffering any of these injuries in a ladder accident, it’s important to act quickly. If the fall occurred at your workplace, you can either pursue workers’ compensation or file a lawsuit. If you pursue workers’ compensation, you’ll have 30 days to notify your employer, and one year to formally file a claim.

If you’re looking to file a lawsuit and maximize your compensation, you’ll have up to three years from the date of the injury. However, it’s still important to act quickly to ensure you still have sufficient recollection and documentation of this incident.

If you aren’t sure whether or not you can seek compensation in your particular case, get in touch with a ladder accident attorney at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C.. We’ll investigate the incident and help you seek the compensation you deserve. 

Who’s Liable for a NYC Ladder Accident?

While you can’t sue your employer after pursuing workers’ compensation, you can still pursue compensation from other negligent parties. 

The liable party will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident, but the most common parties in a ladder accident lawsuit include:

  1. General Contractors
  2. Equipment Manufacturers
  3. Property Owners
  4. Engineers or Architects

General Contractors

If you’ve been injured on a ladder on a construction site, your general contractor might be liable. General contractors are generally responsible for maintaining safety standards on the construction site. This means that they could be liable if your injury resulted from unsafe workplace conditions, such as slippery floors or a broken ladder. 

Property Owners

Property owners are also legally required to maintain a safe environment in New York City. If the property owner fails to address hazardous conditions, like a ladder, they could also be held responsible. This requirement also generally extends to construction site owners.

Equipment Manufacturers

In some cases, the hazard comes from a defect in the ladder itself. Whether it’s a faulty rung or a loose hinge, a defect in design, manufacturing, or even safety instructions could be grounds for a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the ladder.

Engineers or Architects

Ladder accidents can also result from improper planning or unsafe designs, which could mean the engineers or architects are liable. For example, if an engineer designs an unstable scaffold, causing a ladder to fall during use, the engineer could be held accountable.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for a Ladder Accident?

The exact dollar amount of your compensation will vary based on the severity of the injury and the magnitude of the costs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 160,000 people visit the emergency room after a ladder-related injury, and each injury yields a unique set of costs. For example, some victims might only suffer minor bruising, while others will spend months out of work from a slipped disk.  

While it’s difficult to calculate your exact potential compensation, your award is generally based on the total of all economic and non-economic costs you’ve incurred as a result of the incident. 

Economic costs include direct expenses with an exact dollar amount, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Therapy costs

However, not all costs have a direct dollar amount. Non-economic costs cover intangible expenses, like emotional distress or pain and suffering. A devoted ladder injury attorney can help quantify and pursue all of the associated costs to ensure you are adequately compensated.

To facilitate this, it’s especially important to prepare thorough documentation of any costs associated with the incident. Then, you’ll just need to provide this information to a reputable ladder accident attorney, who will investigate the incident on your behalf.

At Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., we’ve won awards of over $2,000,000 for ladder accidents in New York City, and we’re ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

What are the Most Common Causes of Ladder Accidents?

Each year, hundreds of people die from ladder accidents. While many of these accidents are difficult to control, understanding the most common causes is the best measure to avoid an incident. According to the CDC, the most common causes of ladder accidents include:

  • Incorrect extension ladder setup angle
  • Inappropriate ladder selection
  • Insufficient ladder inspection
  • Improper ladder use
  • Lack of safety tools and information

While you can’t always prevent these causes, you can still mitigate your risk of an accident by understanding each factor. To best avoid ladder accidents, educate yourself on each of these causes and advocate for thorough safety inspections in the workplace.

Call our NYC Ladder Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation!

Have you been injured in a ladder accident in NYC? If so, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. Our team at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. has over 200 years of combined legal experience, and we’ll work tirelessly to secure the maximum possible compensation on your behalf. 

Once you give us a call, we’ll do everything we can to maximize your compensation for the incident. To get started, contact our New York City law firm to schedule a free consultation. We represent clients across New York, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, and Westchester. 

There’s no risk in asking for our help, so give us a call today at 212-227-4000 or get in touch through our contact page.

Contact our New York City law firm to schedule a free consultation. We represent clients across New York, in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Long Island, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, and Westchester. There’s no risk in asking for our help, so call us today.