Construction Accident Lawyer in New York City
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Content reviewed by: Alex Shulman
- Last updated: Nov. 18, 2024
Construction sites are among the most dangerous worksites in New York City. Serious accidents such as electrocutions, scaffold failures, forklift accidents, crane accidents, and falling object incidents pose life-threatening injuries to workers daily. If you or your loved one was injured on a construction site, you may be entitled to significant compensation through multiple avenues. Our experienced New York City construction accident attorneys in Manhattan and throughout all five boroughs can advise you of your options and recover the compensation you deserve.
Trust the Experienced Construction Accident Lawyers at Shulman & Hill
Our award-winning NYC construction accident lawyers are New Yorkers representing New Yorkers with over a decade of experience. Our headquarters are in Manhattan, where we represent clients from Harlem to the East Village. However, we serve all five NYC boroughs and Long Island with offices in the following locations:
Many of our attorneys have been named Super Lawyers, an honor only the top attorneys in each state receive. The American Institute on Legal Counsel has included us among the 10 Best Law Firms for client satisfaction in workers’ compensation claims. Attorney and Practice Magazine has listed us among the Top 10 personal injury attorneys. This recognition stems largely from our reputation in construction accident cases, one of our core practice areas.
Our understanding of the construction industry and the concerns of construction workers runs deep. Founding partner Alex Shulman has a construction background and has never forgotten his roots.
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.
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. It's our responsibility to uplift them, treating them with dignity, respect, and, above all, lending a listening ear.
Alex Shulman is a member of the New York Injured Workers’ Bar Association. He has been a Super Lawyer since 2017 and is recognized by the highly selective National Trial Lawyers as a Top 40 Under 40 attorney.
Available Damages in New York City Construction Accident Cases
Workers’ compensation is the most common route to recover compensation after a workplace accident. If you’re eligible for workers’ compensation, available benefits may include:
- Medical – These benefits cover health care expenses associated with your accident, including medical, dental, and surgical care.
- Lost wages – If you’re totally or partially disabled, and can’t work for more than seven days, you are entitled to a portion of your lost wages.
- Survivor – If a worker dies from their injuries, their surviving spouse, minor children,or other dependents are entitled to weekly cash benefits totaling two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average wage.
Victims of a New York City construction accident may also be able to pursue 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. In contrast, non-economic damages apply to non-monetary aspects of your accident, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
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
How Much is My Case Worth?
Your construction accident case’s value could range from several thousand dollars to millions. Every construction accident is unique. The only reliable way to estimate your case value is to speak with a New York City personal injury lawyer with experience handling construction accident claims.
When you contact Shulman & Hill, we will examine your accident details and review your medical records so we can consider every factor that influences your case value. The most important factors include the severity of your injuries, whether they are permanent, the amount of your lost earnings, the cost of your medical care, and whether you have grounds to file a third-party lawsuit.
Most construction accidents are covered by workers’ compensation, which covers medical expenses and lost wages but not non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. However, you may be able to file a lawsuit against third parties who contributed to your injuries. A third-party lawsuit allows you to pursue damages not covered by workers’ compensation.
No case is too significant, challenging, or complex for our experienced New York construction accident attorneys. We provide every client with personalized attention and are dedicated to fighting for the maximum results.
Severe Injuries and Construction Accident Compensation
Compensation for construction site injuries is often substantial because of the severe nature of these injuries. According to OSHA, the most common causes of fatal construction accidents are falls, being struck by an object, being caught in or between objects, and electrocutions.
Our past clients include families of workers killed in these types of accidents and workers catastrophically injured in them or other common construction industry accidents, including crane accidents, scaffold failures, and heavy machinery accidents. These accidents cause numerous injuries, including:
- Crushed and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury resulting in permanent disabilities
- Amputations
- Severe burns from chemicals, electrocutions, and explosions
- Severe back injuries that require surgery
- Damage to internal organs
- Chronic illnesses from toxic exposures
- Death
Grave injuries are injuries that are fatal or permanently and totally disabling. Damages for these types of injuries may be higher because they include consideration of your lifetime lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering.
Lawsuits for Fatal Construction Accident Injuries
If your loved one has died from a construction accident in Manhattan or elsewhere in the city, you might be eligible for additional compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit against the employer or third party. Although New York is one of the few states that does not allow grieving families to recover compensation for their emotional losses, you may be entitled to compensation beyond what workers’ compensation covers, including:
- Medical expenses not covered by workers’ compensation
- Loss of your loved one’s probable lifelong income were it not for the accident
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of estate value
Our compassionate New York City wrongful death lawyers will file your lawsuit so your family can experience financial security and a sense of justice for your loved one’s death.
Our Case Results
Below are examples of the results we have obtained for our construction accident clients:
- $1.5 million for an undocumented day laborer injured by a large steel beam
- $1.175 million for a 29-year-old construction worker who fell off a ladder
- $1.25 million for a non-union electrician who fell off of a ladder
- $1 million for a worker injured by a grinder that lacked a safety guard
- $850,000 for a 67-year-old union worker who fell from a scaffold
- $800,000 for an apprentice plumber injured during a boiler installation
Hear From One of Our Clients
I recently worked with Shulman & Hill for my workers’ compensation case, and I’m beyond satisfied with the outcome. Throughout the entire process, they were not only professional but also compassionate, keeping me informed and answering all my questions. It was [an] above two years journey, but with their guidance, we successfully reached a settlement that I’m very happy with.
From day one, I felt like I was in good hands. The entire team, from the lawyers to the office staff, treated me with respect and care. You never feel like just another number with them.
It’s hard to know who to trust when it comes to legal matters, but I feel fortunate to have chosen Shulman & Hill. They have different teams focused on every aspect of your case, which meant I was getting the attention and expertise I needed every step of the way. If you’re looking for a firm that will fight for you and genuinely cares about your well-being, I highly recommend Shulman & Hill.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Claims vs. Personal Injury Claims
Because all New York employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance, injured employees can normally pursue benefits through this avenue. Injured employees may seek compensation for medical care, lost wages, and disability.
However, workers’ compensation may not be enough to cover accident-related expenses, depending on the circumstances of your injury. A personal injury lawsuit against other parties, such as manufacturers and third-party contractors, may help cover the difference.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system in New York, meaning employees can receive compensation for work-related injuries no matter who caused the accident. But in a personal injury lawsuit, there must be an at-fault party. A lawsuit may allow you to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions and pursue compensation beyond what may be available through workers’ comp.
Who Is Liable in a New York City Construction Accident?
For personal injury cases, liability in a New York City construction accident can fall on numerous parties. Determining who is liable requires careful evaluation of all pertinent evidence. Among others, parties that can be liable for construction accidents include:
- Property owners
- General contractor
- Subcontractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Safety inspectors and consultants
What Is the Statute of Limitations for New York Construction Accidents?
New York law outlines various deadlines employees must meet when pursuing compensation. If you’re seeking benefits through a workers’ compensation claim, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the accident and you must file a claim for benefits with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board within two years of the accident. Failure to do so may result in forfeiting your right to workers’ compensation benefits.
By contrast, you normally have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim unless the accident involves a municipal entity. Aside from limited exceptions, failure to file your claim within this time limit may prevent you from pursuing compensation from the at-fault party.
How Shulman & Hill Can Help With Your Case
Our attorneys and staff redefine the level of service you would expect from a law firm through open communication, attention to detail, and vigorous representation. We are a client-focused law firm and pride ourselves on giving every client the same high level of service we would give our own families. When you have Shulman & Hill on your side, you can expect the following from our experienced attorneys:
- Accident investigation – We will visit the accident site and work with forensic and occupational experts to identify contributing factors and liable parties.
- Evidence gathering – We will identify and review evidence such as video footage, eyewitness statements, employer safety records, incident reports, and medical records so we can prove your claim, calculate your case value, and maximize your compensation.
- Workers’ compensation claims – We will handle your documentation requirements, file your workers’ compensation claim, represent you at all hearings, and litigate your claim if it is denied.
- Settlement negotiation – Where possible, we will negotiate a lump sum settlement with the Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier and any liable third parties.
- Litigation – If a third party is responsible for your injury, we will file suit and litigate your case to fight for the compensation you deserve. We will take your claim to trial if the liable parties refuse to pay fair and reasonable compensation.
A Full-Service NYC Construction Workers’ Injury Law Firm
Many injured construction workers are entitled to file workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, but most NYC injury law firms only handle one type of claim. We handle both types in all our New York City offices, so you can recover compensation from all sources without hiring multiple law firms. We offer a free consultation so we can review your case, advise you of your options, and answer your questions. We prioritize open, honest communication at every phase of the process.
When you experience life-altering injuries, your case results affect the rest of your life. Thus, we never rush through a case. Instead, we give careful, focused attention to every client. Whether your case is big or small, we know how important it is to you, and therefore it is important to us. We prepare every case as if it is going to trial tomorrow, whether it is large or small.
We are an inclusive law firm dedicated to serving all New Yorkers. Our law firm celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the diversity among our attorneys and staff reflects the diversity that helps make NYC great. Our attorneys are fluent in Spanish and Russian.
Shulman & Hill Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
Navigating the aftermath of a construction accident can be overwhelming, especially if you’re facing a severe injury or a loved one’s death. Our skilled New York City construction accident lawyers at Shulman & Hill understand the intricacies of these cases and will navigate yours. Contact us at (212) 221-1000 or complete our online contact form to start with a free case evaluation.