Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
New York City is well known for its architecture and skyscrapers. But the slightest misstep in design or construction can cause these impressive buildings to collapse, resulting in devastating consequences and injuries to nearby workers, residents, pedestrians, and drivers.
While there are labor laws and building codes in place to protect workers, building collapse accidents are still common. If you are injured in a building collapse accident, schedule a free legal consultation with Shulman & Hill to see if you may qualify for compensation for your medical expenses and related losses.
New York City Construction Hazards
New York’s construction laws require property owners and contractors to provide workers with safety equipment to help minimize injuries. This equipment may include:
- Scaffolding
- Hoists
- Ladders
- Ropes
- Pulleys
- Braces
- Hardhats
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
If you have been involved in a building collapse accident while on the job, you should reach out to Shulman & Hill for legal representation. If you are injured, one of our New York City attorneys can help pursue compensation on your behalf while you focus on your recovery.
Common Causes of New York City Building Collapses
There is a number of situations that can cause a building to collapse during or after construction.
A building may collapse when the internal load-bearing structures fail. This may be caused by:
- Excessive construction loading: When the current structure is attempting to withstand a higher load-bearing capacity than it was designed for. This can cause the load-bearing materials and structures to fail, resulting in the collapse of the structure.
- Weak temporary materials: Some materials may be temporary or have not yet reached their ultimate strength, such as drying concrete walls or temporary steel and wooden connections.
- Instability: Weak foundations and similar structural instability can be overlooked at the beginning of a construction project and cause major issues later on.
- Lack of maintenance: As buildings age, they can become gradually weaker. Property owners should ensure buildings are regularly maintained to prevent major accidents from occurring.
The Importance of Proper Workplace Safety Measures
Workplace safety guidelines are just as important as the integrity of the building materials. Every company, property owner, and contractor should follow guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in order to help keep workers safe.
In addition to supervision and safety training, the correct and appropriate safety equipment needs to be provided to construction workers in order for them to complete the job safely.
Dangers of a New York City Building Collapse
Aside from damage to property, a building collapse can result in catastrophic injuries. Buildings are constructed with incredibly heavy and sharp materials such as concrete, steel, and glass. A collapse of these materials can result in extensive injuries such as broken bones, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, lacerations, and sometimes death.
These injuries can temporarily or permanently disable a worker, leaving them and their family under enormous stress.
What To Do if You Are Injured During a Building Collapse
If you are injured during a building collapse, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The injuries should be addressed and examined to prevent them from getting any worse.
Your doctor will need to know the details of your workplace incident. We advise providing as much information as possible regarding what happened. This can assist you in getting the best possible treatment for your workplace injury. A doctor may place restrictions on what you can do at work, or limit the time you can spend doing any particular task until your injuries from the accident heal.
It is also important to report your injuries to your employer as soon as possible. This, along with papers from your doctor visits, can make it easier to get claims you deserve later under New York worker’s compensation law.
Pursuing Compensation After a Building Collapse
If you are injured during a building collapse while working, you will likely be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation can help cover your medical bills and lost wages. If your injury results in a disability that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. It can often be complex to file these claims, but an attorney can help you navigate each step of the process.
In some cases, it is possible that you may pursue a lawsuit against the building’s owner and/or contractors that were on the site. A personal injury attorney can help investigate your accident and identity any negligent parties who may have contributed to your accident. If they find evidence that a contractor or property owner was negligent, your lawyer can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to hold them financially accountable for your injuries.
Laws and requirements regarding social security benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, and the obligations of property owners and contractors can be complex. One of the attorneys at Shulman & Hill can review your case for free and help determine what kinds of compensation and benefits you may qualify for.
