What Happens After a Fall on a Construction Site?

One moment, you’re on the job, focused on the task at hand. The next, you’re plummeting through the air, your world turned upside down. In the blink of an eye, everything changes. If you’ve experienced a fall on a construction site in New York City, Queens, or on Long Island, you know this heart-stopping moment all too well.

At The Perecman Firm, our Brooklyn construction accident lawyers have stood beside countless workers who’ve lived through this nightmare. We’ve seen the fear in their eyes, felt the weight of their worries, and heard the tremble in their voices as they wonder, “What happens now?”

We’re here to tell you: You’re not alone. We’ve got your back.

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Talk to a Construction Accident Attorney After a Fall Injury

Probably the last thing you want to think about right now is lawsuits and legal jargon. You’re in pain and worried about paying the bills, and taking on a big construction company or insurance giant feels like the last thing you want to do.

That’s where we come in. At The Perecman Firm, we fight for injured construction workers. We’re the voice that roars when you’re still catching your breath. We’re the shield that deflects the barrage of paperwork, phone calls, and lowball insurance settlement offers. We’re the sword that cuts through red tape and corporate double-speak.

When you choose us, you’re not just getting a lawyer. You’re getting a relentless advocate who will fight tooth and nail for your rights, future, and dignity.

Looking for Third-Party Liability

While many assume workers’ compensation is the only recourse after a construction site fall, an experienced work accident attorney looks for a third-party liability claim. In many cases, parties other than your employer may bear responsibility for your injuries.

These third-party claims can significantly impact the compensation available to you. They often allow for recovery of damages beyond what workers’ compensation provides, including pain and suffering and full lost wages.

Third-party liability can involve property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers. For instance, if your fall was caused by a defective scaffold, the scaffold manufacturer might be held liable. Or, if a subcontractor created a hazardous condition that led to your fall, they could be held responsible.

At The Perecman Firm, we meticulously investigate every aspect of your case to identify all potentially liable parties, ensuring you have access to the full compensation you deserve.

Your Construction Accident Attorney Knows Your Rights

New York law has some of the strongest protections for construction workers in the country. But these laws only work if you have someone who knows how to wield them. We understand how these laws apply to your case to make sure your rights are protected. In construction site fall cases, New York laws and regulations that may affect your claim include:

• The Scaffold Law (Labor Law 240): The scaffold law holds site owners and contractors accountable for gravity-related injuries. Fell from a height? This law is your best friend.
• Labor Law 241(6): New York Labor Law 241 outlines safety protocols for various construction activities, including excavation, demolition, and building projects. It establishes guidelines for properly using tools and equipment on construction sites and mandates specific safety measures that must be implemented when workers are operating in high-risk environments, such as trenches or enclosed spaces.
• New York Industrial Code: These regulations provide detailed safety standards for various construction activities. Specifically, Part 23 of the New York Industrial Code outlines comprehensive safety requirements for construction, demolition, and excavation operations.

OSHA Fall Prevention Regulations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also has fall protection regulations that construction companies must follow to protect workers from catastrophic injuries. Non-negotiable rules when it comes to fall protection include:

• If you’re working at heights of 6 feet or more in construction, you need fall protection.
• OSHA mandates guardrails around elevated open sides and edges.
• Safety nets must be in place when overhead work is being done to catch workers in the event of a fall.
• Personal fall arrest systems are high-tech harnesses designed to stop a fall before it turns tragic.
• OSHA has specific guidelines on ladder safety, including proper angle placement and extending ladders 3 feet above the landing point.
• OSHA requires scaffolds to be capable of supporting their own weight plus four times the maximum intended load.

When these regulations are violated, and you get hurt, that violation becomes a powerful weapon in your legal arsenal. It’s evidence of negligence and can help establish liability. OSHA violations often lead to higher compensation because they show a blatant disregard for worker safety.

At The Perecman Firm, we know these regulations inside and out. When we see an OSHA violation, we see a path to justice for you.

Common Types of Falls in Construction

Construction sites are a maze of potential hazards, each with its own unique set of risks. Let’s break down the most common types of falls our work accident lawyers see in personal injury claims:

Scaffolding

Scaffolding is meant to provide a stable work platform, but it can be deadly when improperly constructed or maintained. Skilled workers perform their jobs dozens of feet off the ground. When workers fall, injuries range from broken bones to spinal cord injuries or worse. A fall from scaffolding isn’t just a tumble – it’s a plummet that can change your life in seconds.

Ladders

Don’t let their familiarity fool you. Ladders are silent killers on construction sites. Whether it’s an extension ladder reaching great heights or a stepladder that seems harmless, the risk is real.

Many ladder accidents happen at relatively low heights, lulling workers into a false sense of security. But falls from ladders can result in everything from broken wrists (as you try to catch yourself) to traumatic brain injuries.

Roofs

Roofing work is not for the faint of heart. You’re facing a long way down with one wrong step or one unexpected gust of wind. The lack of fall protection on many roofing jobs adds to the risk.

Falls from roofs often result in severe injuries or fatalities. Our lawyers see multiple fractures, internal injuries, and the kind of head trauma that can leave families shattered.

Unprotected Openings

Picture this: You’re walking across what you think is a solid floor, and suddenly, there’s nothing beneath your feet. Unprotected openings – in floors, walls, or shafts – are like landmines on a construction site.

These falls are particularly treacherous because they’re so unexpected that there may be no established fall protection measures that can help prevent them or mitigate injuries. The injuries can range from broken legs to spinal cord damage or even death, depending on the depth of the fall and what you might hit on the way down.

Industry-Specific Construction Site Fall Risks

Construction isn’t a one-size-fits-all industry, and neither are its risks. Let’s break down some specific danger zones:

• High-Rise Construction: Working on skyscrapers isn’t just a job—it’s a high-stakes game in which the consequences of a fall are unthinkable. Particular dangers posed by high-rise construction projects include wind gusts that can push workers off balance, and open elevator shafts or other unprotected openings.
• Renovation and Remodeling: Don’t let the smaller scale fool you—renovation work comes with its own set of fall risks. Old buildings can hide weakened floors or unexpected openings, and renovation sites are often cramped and crowded, increasing trip and fall hazards. Old wiring can also create unexpected trip hazards or even cause falls through weakened structures.
• Bridge Work: Bridge construction and repair is in a league of its own when it comes to fall risks. The combination of height and nearby traffic creates a uniquely hazardous work environment. Also, falls over water add the risk of drowning to an already dangerous situation.

No matter what type of construction work you’re in, the message is clear: The risks are real and serious. At The Perecman Firm, we’ve seen it all and fought for workers in every corner of the construction industry.

Remember, your safety should never be compromised. If you’ve experienced a fall, no matter what type of construction work you were doing, we’re here to fight for you.

The Clock is Ticking: Why You Need to Act Now

We know you’re hurting and overwhelmed. But the legal clock started ticking as soon as you were injured on the job. There are deadlines for filing claims, known as the statute of limitations. New York law stipulates you have:

• 3 years after the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim
• 2 years to file a workers’ comp claim
• As little as 90 days for claims against government entities

If you miss these deadlines, you could lose your right to compensation. Don’t let that happen. Reach out to us now, even if you’re not sure about the timing of your accident and injury. We’ll help you understand your options.

The sooner we can start working on your case, the stronger we can make it. Call The Perecman Firm today, and let’s turn the page on your accident together. Your recovery is waiting, and so is justice.

Why Choose The Perecman Firm?

• We Live and Breathe Construction Law: Representing construction workers injured on the job is our passion, mission, and reason for putting on the gloves every morning. We are dedicated to fighting to get you compensation to help you make your life right again.
• Our Work Injury Lawyers Know New York: From the steel canyons of Manhattan to the job sites of Long Island, we know the places and people involved in construction accident cases. We understand the laws that govern personal injury lawsuits in New York and are familiar with its courts and procedures.
• We’ve Got a Successful Track Record: We’ve gone toe-to-toe with the biggest construction firms and the most ruthless insurance companies on behalf of construction accident victims. We don’t consider it a successful case unless we get the compensation you need to take care of your family and future.
• We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Do: There are no upfront costs or hidden fees. We offer a free consultation with a clear explanation of our fee structure. You don’t owe us attorney fees unless we recover a verdict or settlement for you.

We don’t just handle your case – we carry your burden, fight your fears, and champion your cause.

Contact The Perecman Firm After a Construction Site Fall in New York

If you’ve fallen on a New York construction site, don’t face this uphill battle alone. Your focus should be on healing. Let us handle the legal heavy lifting.

Don’t wait. Don’t wonder. Don’t worry alone. Contact Brooklyn personal injury lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to listen, understand, and fight for you and your family. Your work helps build New York – let us help rebuild your life after a fall.

Call our New York City office at 212-977-7033, our Queens, NY office at 718-587-0108, or our Jericho office on Long Island at 516-268-0130. You can also contact us online.