New York City Scaffolding Accident Lawyer

Many construction jobs in New York City require the use of scaffolding. It is essential that those who set up construction sites take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of workers who use scaffolding to perform their jobs.

Workplace accidents can occur when those responsible for ensuring worker safety are negligent or otherwise fail to follow New York’s construction laws and regulations. If you have been injured in a fall or similar scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to compensation for losses like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. You should consult a New York City scaffolding law attorney at Shulman & Hill to discuss your legal options.

New York Scaffolding Law: What You Need to Know

More than a century ago, New York lawmakers recognized the importance of protecting workers whose jobs involve elevated heights, including protecting workers from scaffolding-related accidents. That is why they passed the New York Scaffold Law.

This law requires property owners, general contractors, and their agents setting up a construction site to adhere to a number of safety rules. They include (but are not limited to) the following:

• A scaffold’s railing must be secured firmly to prevent swaying.
• A scaffold must be able to support four times its maximum load.
• Safety rails must cover the full length and all sides of scaffolds.

The New York Scaffold Law tends to favor workers who were injured in accidents. If you are harmed in such an accident, your employer may be responsible for workers’ compensation benefits and you may be entitled to additional compensation from the owner(s) and general contractor(s) of the construction site for the elevation-related safety risks.

Threats to the New York Scaffold Law

It is worth noting that some have tried to amend or repeal the Scaffold Law. Those that oppose the law argue that it is bad for business and it increases the cost of New York construction projects.

These arguments overlook a crucial fact: the increased cost is justified if the law keeps workers safe. When workers are injured, this law provides them with a means of seeking compensation to which they may be entitled. In addition to emphasizing safety, this law can save employers money because fewer accidents usually equate to less money spent on injury settlements.

The Consequences of a New York Scaffolding Accident

Depending on various factors, the losses and struggles you face in the aftermath of a scaffolding accident can be severe. Some of those losses may be financial in nature. Any injuries you sustain in an accident could require costly medical treatment. They could also render you unable to work and earn a paycheck.

Other struggles may not be financial at all. You may have to endure some degree of physical pain and suffering as you recover. If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once found enjoyable, you may struggle with depression or similar challenges. Additionally, your injuries could prevent you from fulfilling your role as a parent, spouse, etc.

You may be entitled to compensation for these losses. You should enlist the help of one of Shulman & Hill’s personal injury lawyers in New York City to maximize your chances of collecting.

How a Scaffolding Law Firm in New York City Can Help

Seeking compensation for injuries that stem from a New York scaffolding accident is somewhat unique when compared to the aftermath of other workplace accidents. After any type of on-the-job accident in New York City, workers can usually begin pursuing compensation by filing a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer must have insurance designed specifically to compensate injured employees for losses sustained in work-related accidents.

You may also be able to pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit if a property owner or contractor’s negligence contributed to your accident.

However, some insurance companies may try to deny or undervalue claims. To protect their own financial interests, an insurer handling a workers’ compensation claim may try to argue that your accident was not work-related. If they are able to prove this claim, you may lose out on compensation. In worst-case scenarios, you may receive no money at all.

You will benefit substantially by hiring a New York City scaffolding law lawyer. The following are just some of the ways we can help you collect compensation:

Gathering Evidence

In a lot of cases, accident victims are not well-versed in dealing with legal matters. As a result, you may not know what types of compensation you can seek. Furthermore, you may not be familiar with the methods used to assign a dollar value to non-financial losses or future financial losses, like physical therapy or lost wages.

This is a good reason to hire a scaffolding accident lawyer. At Shulman & Hill, our attorneys know how to account for all your losses when determining how much compensation to pursue. We also know how to present evidence that can prove that your claim is valid. If you do not provide sufficient evidence, an insurer may be able to successfully convince you to accept a low offer.

Handling Key Tasks

Throughout the claims process, it may be necessary to complete paperwork, correspond with adjusters, coordinate with doctors, and handle other administrative tasks. Handling these tasks on your own can be time-consuming. You do not need to carry this burden by yourself. After all, you should focus on what is most important: your recovery. We can handle all major tasks in the claims process for you.

Why Choose Shulman & Hill?

At Shulman & Hill, we have a tremendous track record of past successes. We also offer free legal consultations and if you work with us, you will only pay for our services if we win compensation for you. To learn more, call us today at 212.221.1000 or schedule a free consultation online.