Long Island City Scaffolding Accident Lawyer

Those whose jobs involve building and cleaning Long Island City’s tall structures rely on scaffolding to perform their work. This naturally involves a certain degree of risk. Although you will hopefully never be involved in a scaffolding accident, if you are, it is important to understand that you may be able to recover compensation for losses like your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

If you are not sure where to begin, you can review your case with a Long Island City scaffolding law attorney at Shulman & Hill to learn about your options. If we find you may be eligible to seek compensation, our personal injury and workers’ compensation lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and pursue all of the benefits and compensation you may be entitled to.

Contact our Long Island City scaffolding lawyers for a free legal consultation.

Long Island City Scaffolding Laws: What You Need to Know

As one might expect, working on scaffolding at extreme heights is inherently dangerous. That is why the New York Scaffold Law exists. Under this law, contractors must ensure that when workers are using scaffolding, it is installed properly. Additionally, all workers need to be provided with necessary safety gear and the scaffolding itself must meet certain safety requirements. These requirements specify how much weight the scaffolding should be able to support, as well as where safety rails must be installed.

If a worker is injured in an accident involving scaffolding, the New York Scaffold Law also permits them to hold negligent contractors financially responsible.

Potential Causes of Long Island City Scaffolding Accidents

Accidents involving falls from scaffolding can occur for many reasons. They include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Failure to provide workers with safety equipment
• Failure to properly install scaffolding
• Failure to install safety rails
• Failure to communicate safety policies and procedures to workers
• Damaged or defected scaffolding

Regardless of the cause, if you are involved in a Long Island City scaffolding accident, you could be left with significant injuries. These injuries may require long-term medical treatment that can be incredibly costly. Your injuries may also prevent you from working (temporarily or permanently) while you recover. If you cannot work, you cannot earn an income. This can make it even more difficult to pay for unexpected medical bills.

How Our Scaffolding Law Firm Near Long Island City Can Help You

If you are involved in a scaffolding accident at work and you do not appear to need immediate medical attention, you should report the incident to your supervisor immediately. Next, you should get the names of any and all witnesses at the scene. You can also document the conditions at the site of the accident by taking pictures as well.

Even if your injuries are not immediately apparent, see a doctor right away if you have not already done so. Do not skip this step. Even if you do not believe you have been injured, seeking medical care after being involved in such an accident is very important. You could have overlooked injuries that may not be immediately noticeable. Meeting with a doctor will also create documentation regarding your injuries that could be useful when pursuing compensation in the future.

After you have handled these steps, you should meet with a Long Island City scaffolding law attorney to discuss your case. We can help you with the following.

Investigating the Incident

In most cases, you can first seek compensation for losses associated with your accident by filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. In New York, most employers are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. This allows you to seek payment for the costs of medical treatment you may incur after an on-the-job accident, as well as payments for time out of work due to your injuries.

However, while the law favors workers involved in scaffolding accidents, an insurer may still attempt to avoid paying you. An insurance adjuster may claim that your accident was not work-related or that you caused it intentionally in the hopes of a payout. Our Long Island City lawyers can protect your rights by investigating the accident, gathering evidence that shows why you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Pursuing Fair Compensation

There are two ways you may be able to pursue compensation after an on-the-job accident. Most people are eligible to file for workers’ compensation benefits which can help cover their medical expenses and time off from work.

Some injured workers are also able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, like a property owner or general contractor, in addition to their workers’ compensation benefits. Unlike workers’ compensation, a personal injury lawsuit can help recover money for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.

This is another reason to coordinate with our Long Island City scaffolding law firm. Our attorneys can review your case thoroughly to ensure you pursue every remedy available to you. If an insurer tries to pay you less than what we believe your claim is worth, we can negotiate on your behalf. If no agreement can be reached, we will take your case to trial to help secure a verdict in your favor.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

At Shulman & Hill, we have an impressive track record of success. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for compensation after a Long Island City scaffolding accident, we can review your case for free. Give us a call at (555) 555-5555 or simply fill out an online case evaluation form to get in touch with us.