Westchester Construction Accident Attorney
After a construction accident in Westchester County, NY, you might be entitled to a financial award. This could be in the form of workers’ compensation benefits or damages from a personal injury lawsuit. Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. can explain your legal options, help you create a plan, and put it into action. Our Westchester construction accident lawyers will stand by your side and work tirelessly to secure the money you need and deserve.
Our Westchester County law office provides a free initial case assessment, so don’t delay in calling us to arrange a time to speak with our team today.
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Why Should I Call a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Construction Accident in Westchester?
Whether an old building is being renovated or a new high rise is being built, something in Westchester always seems to be under construction. Construction sites are inherently dangerous. There’s a lot going on, so they pose a threat to workers, as well as anyone who happens to be nearby. So, it’s not surprising that construction accidents are fairly common in Westchester.
Sadly, getting compensated for your injuries after a construction accident isn’t always easy. Insurance companies will do whatever they can to find a way to devalue or deny a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. At-fault parties will point fingers and attempt to drag out civil cases for years. That’s not something you should have to navigate on your own while you’re trying to get back on your feet. Fortunately, you don’t have to.
Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. has been standing up for injured construction workers in and around Westchester County for more than 40 years. We understand the impact and devastation of construction site accidents all too well. We also know what a difference money can make at a time like this. That’s why we go to great lengths to get results for our clients. And, we do. To date, we’ve recovered more than $1 Billion in financial settlements and awards. If you let us, we’ll fight to get results for you, too.
When you call us for legal assistance, you can expect that our Westchester personal injury lawyers will:
- Analyze the scene of the accident as part of our investigation
- Interview witnesses, review accident reports, analyze medical records, and consider other relevant evidence
- Determine why your accident occurred and who is likely to blame
- Identify all possible sources of compensation
- Limit the effectiveness of any allegations that you share responsibility for your accident, and
- Consult with medical experts to ensure that we have expert support as we navigate the valuation process.
You need time to get better, and we want to give you that opportunity. So, we’ll handle the ins-and-outs of your legal claim. We’ll work hard to get you maximum compensation so that you can focus on what’s really important – you.
Representing Clients in All Westchester Construction Accident Cases
There are a lot of different ways you can get hurt on a construction site in Westchester County. Regardless of what caused your construction accident and injuries, Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will be there to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We represent clients who have been injured in all types of Westchester County construction accidents, including:
- Brazing accidents
- Building collapse
- Compressor accidents
- Crane accidents
- Defective equipment accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Elevator accidents
- Falling objects
- Forklift accidents
- Gas explosions
- Ladder accidents
- Logging accidents
- Malfunctioning machinery accidents
- Nail gun accidents
- Punch press malfunctions
- Scaffolding accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Structure failure
- Welding accidents
- Wrongful death, and more.
Don’t trust just any personal injury law firm in Westchester after your construction accident. There’s too much riding on your injury case. The attorneys at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. have more than 200 years of combined experience handling accident cases like yours. We’ll put our extensive experience and track record of successful outcomes to work for you. Give our law office a call today to learn more.
Causes of Construction Accidents in Westchester County
Construction accidents are responsible for thousands of injuries and deaths in New York state every year. In fact, construction is the most dangerous job you can have here. In 2017, 69 construction laborers were killed on job sites across the state.
You might think that these accidents are central to New York City. However, that’s not the case. Many of those happen in areas like Westchester County, which are always undergoing redevelopment and growth. In fact, construction fatalities are 52 percent higher outside of the city.
What causes so many of these devastating accidents? When it comes to fatal construction site accidents, the leading causes are falls, being crushed by or in-between an object, being struck by an object, and electrocution. These are known as the “Fatal Four,” and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says they account for more than half of all construction worker deaths.
Other causes of construction accidents in Westchester include:
- Unsafe working conditions
- Inexperienced laborers
- Lack of supervision and oversight
- Lack of necessary safety equipment
- Motor vehicle crashes, including car accidents and truck accidents
- Missing guard rails, and
- Unsafe or defective equipment.
After your accident, our Westchester personal injury attorneys will work diligently to get to the bottom of what happened. We’ll investigate to determine all possible causes. Our dedicated efforts will ultimately help us figure out who is responsible for your injuries and who will have to pay.
Injured Workers Can Potentially Seek Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Construction workers in New York are generally covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Employers are required to carry a no-fault policy to cover the costs related to a laborer’s on the job injuries. A no-fault policy means that you can get benefits, regardless of who caused your accident and injuries. In exchange for benefits, you waive the right to sue your employer.
Under New York’s workers’ compensation system, you could be awarded benefits for:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability, and
- Death.
Keep in mind that you’ll only be able to recover a fraction of your lost wages and medical expenses that are generated through a pre-approved system. So, your workers’ compensation benefits might not fully cover the costs and expenses of your work-related accident. It’s often necessary to consider other sources of compensation, namely a personal injury lawsuit filed against liable parties.
Identifying All Liable Parties After Your Westchester Construction Accident
In New York, you can pursue compensation from anyone who is responsible for your injuries. Following your construction accident, you could have a legitimate claim against:
Property Owners: Under New York law, owners can be strictly liable for your injuries if you weren’t provided with a safe work environment or necessary safety equipment.
General Contractors: Like owners, general contractors can be on the hook for your damages for failing to ensure that you have a safe place to work and the safety equipment you need to stay safe. Claims against general contractors can be based on strict liability, which means that you don’t have to prove negligence.
Subcontractors: When a subcontractor wins a bid for a job, they have to make sure that the job is done well and safely. If a subcontractor is negligent and causes an injury, they can be liable for resulting harm.
Architects and Engineers: A lot of preparation goes into planning a structure before its built. Architects and engineers are tasked with making sure that the structure is designed properly and that it’s safe while it’s being erected. When these parties fail to design or oversee a project properly, they can be responsible for resulting injuries.
Product Manufacturers: Many construction site accidents involve defective or dangerous pieces of machinery. Whether it’s a forklift or a power tool, the company responsible for the product can potentially be liable if it was defective.
Other Workers: When you’re hired to work on a construction site, you’re expected to use care and caution in your craft. If a worker’s actions are reckless or create a dangerous situation, they can be liable for causing harm.
Our team will aggressively seek compensation from any and all at-fault parties. When you file a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover damages that aren’t available through workers’ compensation, including money for pain and suffering and emotional distress. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about how we might be able to help you maximize your financial recovery.
How Long Do I Have to Ask for Compensation After a Construction Accident in Westchester?
It depends on what type of claim(s) you’re going to file. For workers’ compensation, you’ll have up to 30 days to notify your employer that you’ve been injured on the job. Then you’ll have a limited amount of time to submit a formal request for benefits.
If you decide to file a lawsuit, your legal action must be initiated within three years of the date of your injury. Keep in mind that you can file a lawsuit even if you’ve also requested workers’ compensation benefits, as long as the defendant is someone other than your employer.
Call Our Westchester Construction Accident Lawyers Today
Construction sites can be incredibly dangerous. When you’re in an accident, you risk some very serious injuries. Whether you’ve suffered burn injuries, broken bones, or have been poisoned after being exposed to toxic chemicals, Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will be there to help you every step of the way as you demand compensation. Give our Westchester County law firm a call today to arrange a free consultation and learn more.