Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Jun. 18, 2024
Shulman & Hill Is Here To Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
We understand the impact a construction accident can have on your life. Our dedicated team, led by Alex Shulman and JJ Hill, has a strong track record of obtaining top results for construction workers across Brooklyn. Whether you have suffered a scaffolding fall, machinery mishap, or any other construction site accident, our Brooklyn construction accident legal team is committed to your recovery and rightful compensation.
Exceptional Client Service
We pride ourselves on our client-focused approach. Recognizing that travel can be challenging after an accident, we offer convenient options such as satellite offices throughout the city, including our Brooklyn location, and video calls so you can easily access your lawyer.
Our team acknowledges New York’s diverse population and believes that language should never be a barrier to justice. To help more members of our community access justice, our team includes multilingual staff members proficient in Spanish and Russian.
Collaborative Approach
Construction accidents come in a wide variety, and no two cases are alike. We believe in teamwork and collaboration. Depending on the specifics of your case, your construction accident attorney will collaborate with our:
No Fee Unless You Win
Our construction accident lawyers offer free consultations, allowing you to discuss your case without incurring any financial obligation. If you decide to proceed, our team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
A Record of Success
Our firm has been a part of the Brooklyn community for over a decade. We have extensive experience with workers’ compensation, personal injury claims, and construction site accidents.
We have obtained over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Some highlights include the following:
- $2.5 million settlement for a non-union construction worker
- $1.75 million settlement for an HVAC installer who suffered a fall when a ladder shifted and collapsed
- $1.5 million settlement for an undocumented day laborer injured at a construction site by the uncontrolled descent of a larger steel beam
- $1.25 million settlement for a non-union electrician who suffered a fall from a ladder at a construction site
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,500,000 settlement for a non-union laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $2,000,000 settlement for an immigrant laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,175,000 settlement for a 29-year-old construction worker
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for an undocumented day laborer
Shulman & Hill obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a bus driver
What Compensation Is Available After a Construction Accident in Brooklyn?
No matter what precautions you take to ensure construction worksite safety or how careful you are to avoid worksite injuries, a construction site accident can still occur. Safety violations in New York’s construction industry are all too common.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Workers’ compensation is the most common route to recover compensation for construction workers injured on the job. Under New York law, employers generally must cover their employees with workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits for work-related injuries, regardless of who is at fault.
This type of claim can provide you with several types of benefits, including the following:
- Medical care for injuries related to the accident
- Rehabilitation costs to help you return to work
- Replacement income for time lost from work
- Disability benefits if you sustain permanent injuries
- Survivor benefits in the case of a workplace death
Workers’ compensation is valuable, but it may not cover all types of damage, such as pain and suffering, which can be significant in construction accidents.
Third-Party Claims for Damages
Workers’ compensation shields employers from lawsuits. However, if a third party—such as a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer—contributed to your accident, you might have the right to pursue a third-party lawsuit.
In a third-party lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for a wider range of damages than through a workers’ compensation claim. You can seek economic and non-economic damages through a lawsuit. Economic damages apply to financial losses in your case, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. Non-economic damages apply to the harder-to-quantify effects of your accident, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Comprehensive Legal Support
Our legal team handles workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits in-house, providing a streamlined process for our clients. We’ll handle all your claims, ensuring you pursue all available compensation. We’ll meticulously manage your claims, minimizing stress and working towards a just recovery.
How a Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Case
The path to recovery involves more than just medical care. Comprehensive legal support protects your rights and financial stability. We provide that support for construction workers injured in Brooklyn.
Our primary goal is to help you heal and regain your quality of life. To facilitate this, we offer the following:
- Coordination of medical appointments
- Transportation assistance
- Comprehensive case management
We understand that your recovery is imperative. That’s why our team shoulders the burden of all the legal details, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery.
Experienced Negotiators Against Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have the financial incentive to minimize the compensation they pay out. Our construction accident attorneys are skilled in negotiating with insurers to recover the full benefits you are entitled to. We are particularly passionate about protecting non-English speakers and others vulnerable to unfair practices.
Local Experience in Construction Accidents
Working with a construction lawyer who understands the construction industry in Brooklyn is important. In particular, we know the stress associated with construction work. Of course, a strong background in workers’ compensation and personal injury laws is also critical in these cases. We understand New York’s construction laws, which helps us tackle even the most complex cases. Our team has experience with a wide range of construction injury cases, including those involving:
- Scaffolding accidents
- Falls from heights
- Trip-and-Falls
- Machinery accidents
- Undocumented workers
- Non-union construction workers
Our legal team will stand by your side every step of the way, fighting for your fair compensation and protecting your rights now and in the future.
“Growing up, I worked many blue-collar jobs, and my father comes from a construction background. This upbringing instilled in me the importance of empathy, which I find lacking both in the legal profession and in society as a whole. Our ability to build relationships with our clients has propelled our firm to greater heights. I often tell my staff that the client is the employer and we are here to cater to their needs.
Each client is unique, with different emotional needs, levels of understanding, and family situations. We tailor our approach and communication accordingly, always mindful of their background and circumstances. Many of our clients are immigrants, non-native English speakers, facing threats from their employers or trying to downplay their trauma. It's our responsibility to uplift them, treating them with dignity, respect, and, above all, lending a listening ear.”
Who May Be Liable for a Brooklyn Construction Accident?
Identifying liability in a construction accident involves understanding a construction site’s multiple layers of responsibilities. Responsibility can fall on various parties, including:
- Property owners and general contractors: These parties are primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of the construction site and implementing and maintaining essential safety protocols.
- Subcontractors: Often involved in specific aspects of the construction process, such as electrics, plumbing, and carpentry, subcontractors must adhere to safety standards relevant to their duties and operations.
- Equipment manufacturers: If an accident results from defective machinery or equipment, you can hold the manufacturers of those products liable.
New York's Scaffold Law
New York labor laws enable construction workers in Brooklyn to hold certain property owners and general contractors liable for injuries sustained while working at a job site. For instance, under New York’s Scaffold Law, New York State Labor Law 240, certain parties must provide scaffolding and other proper safety devices to workers involved in projects involving structural:
- Demolition
- Erection
- Alteration
- Repair
- Cleaning
- Painting
- Pointing
The law holds general contractors, subcontractors, and property owners strictly liable for injuries to workers from falls or falling objects.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Construction Accident Claims?
There are different time limits depending on the type of claim you are filing:
- Workers’ compensation claims only allow a short window to report your accident. New York’s workers’ compensation law requires you to notify your employer within 30 days of your accident. You generally have two years from the accident date to file a claim.
- Personal injury claims have a more generous filing window. The statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims can vary but is generally within three years of the accident date.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Knowing what to do following a construction accident is critical in the aftermath of your injury. It is important to acknowledge that worksites can be hectic and change quickly. Prompt action is essential for the following reasons:
- Evidence preservation: The quicker you act, the better your chances of preserving crucial evidence.
- Legal strategy: Engaging an attorney as early as possible gives your legal team the time to develop a robust strategy tailored to your case.
- Faster resolution: Insurance companies typically move slowly, so starting the process immediately is important. Early legal intervention can help speed up the process, allowing you to receive your compensation sooner.
Reach Out to the Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyers at Shulman & Hill
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Brooklyn, Shulman & Hill will fight for you. No case is too significant, complex, or challenging for us. Our dedicated attorneys and staff redefine the level of service you expect from a law firm, prioritizing open communication, attention to detail, and vigorous representation throughout litigation.
Take the first step towards securing the compensation you need to recover and rebuild. Contact us online or call us at 212-221-1000 to schedule your free consultation.