Debris at Construction Site Accident Lawyers NYC

construction worker using tool to break up cement

Unsafe construction sites can present numerous hazards, including falling, flying, or otherwise dangerous debris. Construction workers and passersby injured by flying debris from construction sites in New York have options for seeking compensation for their losses.

If you’ve gotten hurt due to debris at a construction site in NYC, turn to The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., to pursue financial relief and justice for your injuries and related losses. For over 40 years, our attorneys have diligently advocated for the rights and interests of accident victims across New York City. Our commitment to achieving outstanding results for our clients has enabled us to recover over half a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for them over the decades.

Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation to learn how our construction site attorneys in NYC will fight to recover maximum compensation for you.

How Our NYC Construction Debris Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you’ve suffered injuries in an NYC construction debris accident, let the lawyers of The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., help you pursue the compensation you need for your injuries and other losses. We can strengthen your case by:

  • Investigating the accident to recover evidence we can use to build your legal claims
  • Evaluating your options for pursuing compensation, such as filing NY Labor Law claims, pursuing workers’ compensation benefits, and filing third-party negligence claims
  • Documenting your injuries and expenses to help you seek the maximum amount of compensation available to you under the law
  • Filing insurance claims, workers’ comp claims, or demand letters on your behalf
  • Aggressively negotiating for total compensation for you in a settlement
  • Filing lawsuits when liable parties won’t agree to fair settlements
  • Advocating for your rights and interests at trial

Common Types of Construction Site Debris Accidents

Construction site debris accidents in NYC can occur due to various hazards. Common types of construction site debris accidents include:

  • Falling debris accidents – Debris may get knocked off a roof or ledge or fall from a crane or pulley.
  • Scaffolding accidents – Debris can get knocked off scaffolding, or poorly constructed or maintained scaffolding can fall apart, sending scaffolding materials to the ground.
  • Crane accidents – Crane operators may fail to secure debris before lifting it or accidentally drop debris onto people below.
  • Forklift accidents – Forklifts hauling excessive debris loads may spill the debris or tip over, potentially injuring the operator and others around the forklift.
  • Fires and explosions – Failure to dispose of flammable or combustible debris can create a risk of a fire or explosion if the debris ignites from a heat source such as hot machinery, electrical wires, or even something as small as cigarette ash.
  • Toxic exposure – Failing to properly or promptly dispose of potentially toxic debris, such as asbestos-containing materials, may cause people on construction sites to suffer latent health issues that may not cause symptoms for years or decades.

Construction Debris-Related Injuries and Damages

A construction site debris accident can injure construction workers and other people on and around construction sites in various ways. Some of the most common kinds of construction debris-related injuries in NYC include:

  • Crush injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Ligament, tendon, and muscle tears
  • Neck and back injuries, including herniated spinal discs
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Facial and eye injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Traumatic amputation
  • Lacerations
  • Perforation injuries

Injury Claims Under New York Labor Law

New York State Labor Laws give construction workers and other employees on construction sites the right to pursue compensation from site owners, general contractors, and subcontractors for injuries caused by dangerous worksite conditions, including hazardous debris.

Common injury claims under these labor laws include:

  • Labor Law §200 – This statute imposes a general obligation upon employers, contractors, and site owners to protect the health and safety of employees, which means the statute covers a broader range of employees on a construction site beyond just construction workers. However, a claim under §200 will require an injured worker to prove that the debris accident occurred due to the owner’s or contractor’s negligence.
  • Labor Law §240 – This statute requires contractors and site owners who erect scaffolding at a construction site to place scaffolding in such a way as to protect people working on the construction site. A construction site debris accident involving falling debris from scaffolding may give an injured worker a claim under this statute, for example. The worker may have a claim against a general contractor or site owner even if they had no role in erecting or using the unsafe scaffolding.
  • Labor Law §241(6) – This statute requires contractors and site owners to ensure that construction sites have sufficient shoring, guarding, and other reasonable and adequate safety protection for workers on the construction site and other people who may enter the site. Whether a contractor or site owner has taken reasonable and adequate safety measures may depend on factors such as compliance with state and federal industrial safety regulations.

Other Types of Injury Claims After Debris Accidents

People injured in construction site debris accidents may also have other legal claims for compensation or other financial benefits to help recover from injury.

Construction workers and other employees on a construction site can file workers’ compensation claims to recover benefits such as those for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent disability. A construction site debris accident victim may have a personal injury claim against a party other than their employer or co-worker whose negligence caused the accident, such as a subcontractor who negligently stored or handled the debris. Finally, if someone suffers injuries from debris from defective materials, tools, or equipment on a construction site, they may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Hiring a Debris Accident at Construction Site Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer after a construction site debris accident can significantly increase your chances of getting the best outcome. First, an experienced lawyer will know how to investigate the accident and what evidence is needed to prove your right to recover compensation. An attorney can review the facts of your case and advise you on legal options for pursuing financial relief. Your lawyer will also thoroughly document your injuries and losses to help you seek compensation for your ongoing and future anticipated losses. Finally, an attorney will handle the details of pursuing your legal claims so you have the time to focus on your treatment and rehabilitation.

Get Help from Our NYC Construction Site Debris Injury Attorneys

If you suffered injuries in a construction site debris accident in New York City, get legal help to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses. Contact The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., today for a free no-obligation consultation with our NYC debris accident lawyers about your legal options.