Exceptional New York Construction Accident Attorneys

Despite widespread state and federal legislative efforts – such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, among many other laws – to keep work sites safe, building and construction site accidents frequently result in grievous injuries such as:

• Head trauma
• Back and neck injuries
• Spinal trauma
• Severe burns
• Loss of limbs or use of limbs
• Vision impairment
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Organ failure
• Long-term disease

These injuries can keep you from working. Your need to make ends meet can cause you to go back to work too soon, and cause permanent damage to your injuries. Instead of risking your health and your future, let a lawyer fight for you.

At Kaston & Aberle, LLP, we battle for the full and fair compensation our clients deserve for their construction site injuries. Our in-depth knowledge of New York labor laws has allowed us to secure the money our clients need to get on with their lives through settlements, judgments and verdicts worth millions of dollars. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of your claim, we are prepared to use our experience to champion the maximum results for your injuries. We are equipped to represent residents throughout the New York metro area and Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Making The Law Fight For You

Our decades of legal experience have given us valuable knowledge of the laws that can benefit your injury claim. For example, some laws grant employees specific protections, such as:

• Section 200 – Requires that employers provide “reasonable and adequate” protection to their employees
• Section 240 – Requires proper protection for tools and devices that are 20 feet or high above the ground
• Section 241 – Requires specific safety measures for floor and elevator requirements during construction and deconstruction

There are many other laws in place to protect you. When we can prove that your employer violated labor laws that led to your injury, we are more likely to secure the compensation you deserve.

Representation For Any Construction Injury

A workplace injury can come from anywhere on a construction or building site. We have helped clients get the financial compensation they needed to recover from the devastating injuries related to accidents involving:

• Boiler explosions
• Heavy equipment malfunctions
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Lead poisoning
• Falls from scaffolding or ladders
• Poorly maintained forklifts
• Hazardous container stacking
• Unevenly lit warehouses
• Trench collapses

We know that each of our clients comes to us with a unique story, and it is our job as your legal representation to make your voice heard in your construction injury claim. We take the time to develop a custom-tailored strategy that reflects your circumstances to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Site Bystander Injuries

Construction sites in New York City do not just pose risks to workers. They also create dangers for pedestrians and bystanders. Understanding who bears responsibility when accidents occur can help injured parties know their rights. This knowledge allows them to pursue appropriate legal action.

Below are answers to common questions about bystander injuries at construction sites.

Who is legally responsible if a bystander is struck by falling debris from a New York City high-rise project?

When falling debris from a high-rise construction project strikes a bystander, several parties may be legally responsible. The property owner, general contractor and subcontractors can all be liable depending on what happened.

New York law requires construction sites to use proper safety measures to protect the public. This includes scaffolding, netting and barriers. If falling debris injures someone walking by, responsibility typically falls on whoever failed to maintain these safety measures. The property owner has a duty to ensure the site is reasonably safe for nearby people. Meanwhile, contractors must follow industry standards and building codes. In many cases, injured bystanders can file lawsuits against the responsible parties for their injuries.

Are all property owners held strictly liable for construction accidents on their premises under New York Labor Law?

No, property owners are not automatically responsible for all construction accidents on their property. New York Labor Law Section 240, often called the “Scaffold Law,” holds property owners and contractors strictly responsible for certain fall-related accidents involving workers. However, this strict responsibility applies only to workers, not people passing by.

For injuries to nonworkers, property owners can be responsible based on regular negligence rules. They must have failed to keep the site reasonably safe. They must have also neglected to ensure contractors followed proper safety steps. The difference matters because strict liability does not require proof of wrongdoing. Negligence claims require evidence that the property owner failed in their duty to keep people safe.

Do New York’s specific Labor Laws protect nonworkers injured at a construction site?

New York Labor Law Sections 240 and 241 protect construction workers. They do not cover the general public. These laws do not cover bystanders, pedestrians or other non-workers injured at construction sites. Section 240 deals with fall-related dangers. Section 241 requires following specific safety rules during construction work.

Both laws protect only workers doing construction, demolition or repair work. Injured bystanders must instead file claims under general property liability or negligence rules. They must prove that property owners or contractors failed to use reasonable care in protecting the public. This means showing they did not prevent harm that could have been expected.

These are just some of the common questions about bystander injuries at construction sites, but every case has unique facts and circumstances that may affect legal responsibility.

Let Our Experience Benefit You

If you or a loved one suffered injuries at a construction site, commercial remodel, building demolition, excavation or painting or cleaning, do not assume that things will just work out for you. We can help you determine if you have a personal injury claim. If you do, we will be at your side to forge a meaningful plan for seeking the compensation you need to rebuild your future. Contact us for a free initial consultation. Call 516-879-7280 or email us here to meet at our offices in Garden City or Brooklyn to schedule your consultation.