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NYC Construction Accident Lawyer

Sakkas Cahn & Weiss / NYC Construction Accident Lawyer
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NYC Construction Accident Lawyer

As an ever-evolving hub, New York is constantly undergoing construction. From construction projects in the subway, to construction of high-rise buildings, everywhere you travel in the five boroughs you will find improvement projects.

Naturally, wherever you find New York City construction projects, you find large teams of construction workers. In an ideal world, the construction industry looks after its workers – but when time is money, it’s not uncommon for corners to be cut, and peoples’ safety to be put at risk.

According to The New York Times, construction accidents are on the rise in New York City. This is due to the increase in construction sites and projects, from $32 billion spent in 2008 to a staggering $55 billion in 2020.

Some examples of construction site dangers that can result in injured construction workers are:

  • Faulty scaffolding
  • Objects which fall from or off of buildings
  • Manholes or other recesses
  • Old buildings under construction
  • Falls from significant heights or into depths of underground work
  • Faulty machines

Are you a construction worker considering a personal injury lawsuit?

Although construction accident injuries are often severe, injured workers often hesitate to explore a construction accident case because it would involve confronting a large company with hard-hitting legal representation.

This is where we step up. We’re not intimidated by big businesses and legal teams – and we’re not the kind of firm that will accept a settlement we don’t think is fair. Instead, we’ll make sure the law is applied as it should be – resulting in fair compensation for any lost wages, medical bills, and ongoing pain and distress.

What does a typical construction accident personal injury lawsuit involve?

When you work with an experienced construction accident attorney, you’ll usually find they have a tried-and-tested method for handling the cases of injured New York construction workers.

Naturally, each case is different – so different approaches are sometimes required. However, a typical investigation and lawsuit will include the following steps:

1. Obtaining official reports

There are always official reports that should be collected. They will include OSHA investigations (and any previous citations that may have been issued), Department of Buildings records (including an permits and applications), New York Police Department reports, and any citations or violations previously issued relating to the employer or key contractors.

2. Putting your records in order

It’s essential that we have your records in order so we can prove your position. This may include 911 call reports, hospital admissions notes and on-going records, and physician and rehabilitation workers records.

We’ll also collect your workers’ compensation file, previous workers compensation benefits information, claims, and medical information. It’s also vital to have Union records, employment records, and income tax records for the five years before the accident.

Sadly, in cases were we are representing the family of a construction worker who has lost their life in an accident, we will also have to collect a death certificate and autopsy report.

Don’t worry if you don’t have some of the above information – we know what we’re doing and where to go.

3. Talking to witnesses

Time is of the essence when it comes to communication with witnesses. Therefore, we will get Affidavits from witnesses at quickly as physically possible.

This means evidence collected is reliable. It also stops any possibility that their story changes, they move on and can’t be traced, or they simply decide not to cooperate for their own reasons.

4. Collecting photographs of the scene

Video or photographic evidence is often an important piece of information – one that can ultimately sway the decision in your favor. We’ll collect photos of the scene of the accident as quickly as possible – ideally before any remedial work is carried out.

5. Collection copies of all contracts

Your workers contract will almost always lay out the conditions under which you are working. These important documents will help everyone involved in the case exactly how you were treated, what was expected of you, and other essential information that corroborates the wider circumstances of your accident.

6. Explore the chain of command on your job site

Construction sites often have several different contractors working together as part of a team. These people often have their own working agreements and responsibilities.

We’ll work to understand how this team worked together – including who was responsible for the supervision of the job, who was involved with occupational safety and providing reasonable and adequate protection for each construction worker, and who in particular was responsible for the work that led to your accident.

7. Obtain insurance policies

We will collect all the insurance information relevant to the site and the work you were carrying out – including any endorsements that the insurance paperwork might include.

8. Collect job documents

There are several documents and procedures that should be in place to protect workers, the property owners, and other people who may come into contact with the construction site.

This usually includes safety inspection records, safety memos, and records of safety meetings and training. It will also include work permits, daily work logs, progress sheets/reports, photographs, Department of Buildings inspections, equipment logs, and records of safety equipment on the site.

Money to help you move forward – no matter what kind of construction accident injury you’ve suffered

Given the way that many construction accident attorneys charge for their time, some firms will only take your case on if you’ve suffered an extremely severe injury that warrants a very large payout.

At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, we don’t believe that this way of working is fair. That’s why no case is too big or too small. Whether you’re dealing with the emotional fallout of a minor injury – or you’re dealing with the life changing consequences of something more serious, you’ll get the same kind of case and attention from our team.

Some injuries we’ve supported people with include:

  • Amputations
  • Damaged or broken back
  • Broken bones
  • Burns – both chemical and thermal burns
  • Chest injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Crush injuries
  • Eye injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Neck and shoulder injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Damage to the spinal cord
  • Head trauma – including traumatic brain injuries

Dealing with fatal construction accidents

Sadly, construction accidents often claim the lives of construction workers – leaving behind families who were relying on that person’s income to get by.

Construction accident lawsuits aren’t just there to help people who were injured – they’re also there to help people left behind to pick up the pieces, instead of suffering because of an accident that was theirs or their loved one’s fault.

If you’ve lost a loved one in a New York construction accident, we’ll do everything we can to help you moving forward. We appreciate that you’re facing one of the toughest things a family can go through – so you can be absolutely assured that you’ll receive our utmost attention and be dealt with in a way that’s caring and compassionate.

Will you be limited to workers compensation benefits?

No. Construction accident cases can be explored alongside a workers’ compensation claim. In fact, there are a great many injuries that warrant significantly more compensation – especially those that involve you head, neck, or back.

While workers compensation laws mean it might not be possible to directly sue your employer, you may still be able to use New York Labor Law to pursue third parties. These third parties can include other contractors or manufacturers of defective equipment.

Our skilled attorneys have helped thousands of people successfully coordinate and pursue a construction accident lawsuit and workers compensation claims following construction site accidents.

What happens if you’re an undocumented worker?

It’s a sad fact that thousands of injured construction workers do not get the justice they deserve because they are worried about their undocumented status and working illegally.

A good NYC construction accident lawyer understands that you still have rights under our laws if you are undocumented and hurt on in a construction site accident.

The timeline of events is important when you pursue a lawsuit for construction sites injuries – so you should see a doctor as quickly as possible. Don’t be tempted to keep you injury a secret. If you are worried about seeking medical help or reporting your accident, contact us as soon as possible – we’re here to help and keep you protected.

Who can we represent?

If your role involves working on a construction site, we can represent you.

We have helped hundreds of different types of workers get compensation for the construction site injuries – including:

  • Carpenters
  • Laborers
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Crane operators
  • Maintenance workers
  • Steeplejacks
  • Bricklayers
  • Masons
  • Tunnel workers
  • Drywall specialists
  • Painters and decorators
  • Electricians and electrical engineers
  • Pipefitters
  • Utility workers
  • Forklift drivers
  • Plumbers
  • Welders
  • Iron workers
  • Roofers
  • Window washers
  • Cleaners

Construction accidents: FAQs

It’s normal to have lots of questions if you’ve been injured and are considering talking to a New York City construction accident attorney. Here, we’ve covered some of the questions we’re often asked – but if you have a question we haven’t answered, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

+ Is it okay to speak to insurance companies about my accident?

We would always recommend that our clients do not talk to any insurance company without first talking to an experienced NYC construction accident lawyers.

When you talk to insurance companies, the conversations are usually recorded – and may be used later if you explore a lawsuit. Although the people you speak to at the insurance firm may seem like they’re keen to help, their job is actually to try to minimise their blame or strengthen their case against you.

Remember, trying to secure the outcome that the insurer wants is this person’s full time role – and they’re usually very good at it. They are specially trained to ask leading questions and get any mistakes you make on record. A good result for them is usually a disappointing result for you.

Therefore, before you speak to anyone official about your case, you should talk to a firm of trusted NYC construction accident attorneys. We’ll do everything we can to help you avoid making mistakes when you discuss your case – leading to the best possible financial outcome for you and your family.

+ When should I hire an attorney?

We always recommend hiring an attorney to help with your construction accident case as quickly as possible.

There are a couple of important reasons why.

Firstly, there’s evidence to consider. The fine-detail of your case could be the difference between winning and losing – so it’s essential that we collect information from you and any other witnesses as quickly as possible. If there’s too much time between the incident and the lawsuit, memories can fade and important evidence can be difficult to collect.

Secondly, there’s the statute of limitations around New York City construction site accident cases. Time can quickly disappear – and it’s not uncommon for people to suddenly realise they’ve left it to late to get the compensation they deserve.

It’s always better to move sooner rather than later.

+ Can you take over from another law firm to help with my case?

We’re extremely proud of the care and compassion we dedicate to each of our clients – so when people hear about the experience people have at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, they often want to know if they can switch attorneys so we can represent them.

Put simply, the answer is yes. You can switch personal injury lawyers if you wish. You don’t need a reason and you don’t need to explain yourself to your current law firm.

Typically, people who switch to have our NYC construction accident lawyers represent them do so for similar reasons:

  • Their current attorney isn’t letting them know what’s going on with their case
  • The law firm they’re working with are pressuring them to settle but they don’t feel like they’re getting the compensation they deserve.
  • They have been assigned a junior lawyer after being given the impression they would be working with a partner
  • The attorney-client relationship doesn’t involve the level of respect you want or deserve
  • They’re not getting the call backs and communication they were promised

If any of these things sound familiar, now is a good time to switch to a New York construction attorney you can trust to treat you properly.

We’ll do all the heavy lifting for you if you decide to swap firms. We’ll coordinate with the current firm and make sure all your information comes to us. Then, we’ll fight hard to get you the justice you deserve.

It costs nothing to change and we won’t increase your legal fee. Depending on the amount of work that your previous firm has done, they may be entitled to some of the fee you get at the end of your trial – but that comes out of the money we agree, not your share.

+ I don’t think I can afford a lawyer. What should I do?

Firstly, don’t panic. You might be under the impression that lawyers (especially highly experienced ones) cost a huge amount to hire – but this usually isn’t the case.

At Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, we do not charge any upfront fees or out of pocket fees for our services.

Why?

We don’t believe that money should stand in the way of justice and financial compensation for you. What’s more, money shouldn’t stop the construction industry from becoming a safe place for everyone to work.

As such, we charge for our work a little differently. We’re paid at the end of your case an agreed-upon percentage of the amount we recover for you. We work this way to make sure there are no delays that will prevent you filing your suit.

+ I’m back at work but I’ve had to take a different position. Can I still claim for my construction accident injuries?

Yes. New York Labor Laws don’t say that going back to work prevents you from filing a claim.

This is especially important to remember if you’ve taken a job that doesn’t offer the same salary or potential advancement. Many of the people we have successfully represented have been able to go back to work – but not been able to carry on doing the job they had previously, due to the injury.

In some cases, we have even been able to help clients claim the difference in salary between the job they have to do now and the job they were previously doing. If it’s not your fault that you’ve been injured – it’s not your fault that your earning potentially has taken a hit.

Even if you’re back at work and you’re earning the same amount of money as you were before your accident, it’s still important to talk to a good attorney. Not only can we explore compensation for the pain, suffering, and medical expenses that you have already had to deal with, lawsuits also help to protect construction workers going forward – making the industry a safer place.

What happens at a free consultation?

The idea of meeting with a lawyer can feel intimidating – but when you have Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP, on your side, there’s nothing to worry about.

We’re proud to work in a way that doesn’t involve legal jargon – our expert trial attorneys save that for the defense teams and insurance companies we come up against. When we’re talking to you, we’ll explain every step of the process in plain English. If English isn’t your first language, don’t worry – we’ve got attorneys who speak five different languages here, and we understand the cultural differences that can occur too.

Your initial consultation will be relaxed. We’ll listen to your story and help you understand what could come next if you decide we’re the people you’d like to represent you. Whether it takes five minutes or fifty to understand your position and what you’ve been through, you’ll be free to talk, explain and ask us questions.

We’ll never assume that you’re going to work with us – but when you’ve talked to an experienced New York construction accident lawyer on our team, you’ll have all the information you need to decide what the right next step is for you.

We can visit you

With decades of personal injury lawsuit experience under our belts, we fully understand that it may not be practical for you to visit us after you’ve been involved in a construction accident.

With this in mind, we’re more than happy to come to you.

We can visit your home, your workplace, or even at the hospital while you’re recovering. We don’t expect you to go through any more stress or difficulty than you already have – so we’ll do everything in our power to help.

Speak to a New York construction accident attorney today

If you need legal assistance with a claim involving a construction accident that has occurred in New York City, contact a New York construction accident lawyer at Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP for a free consultation. The skilled attorneys at our firm can help with workers’ compensation cases, liability cases and identifying other liable parties. You may be entitled to recover compensation.

The firm represents clients throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut, obtaining countless successful verdicts into the millions for clients throughout the tri-state area. Call Sakkas, Cahn & Weiss, LLP at 212-571-7171.