Ladders are frequently used on Queens construction sites due to workers needing to access spaces high up off the ground. Unfortunately, if a ladder is in poor condition, set up or used improperly, or used in hazardous conditions, workers using the ladder are at risk of a fall.
When workers fall from ladders on construction sites, they can suffer catastrophic injuries that may limit their ability to work and leave them with a lifetime of medical complications. However, a successful ladder accident claim can give injured workers the resources they need to build the best possible future under the circumstances.
If you suffered injuries in a ladder accident on a construction site, our Queens ladder accident lawyers want to help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact The Perecman Firm, now to discuss your situation in a free initial consultation.
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Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Workplace Ladder Accident in Queens
Over the past 40-plus years, the attorneys at The Perecman Firm, have recovered more than half a billion dollars in compensation for accident injury victims. That includes a number of clients injured in construction site ladder accidents, such as:
- $15.2 million awarded at trial to an injured sheet metal worker who fell from an unsecured ladder
- $12 million settlement for a driver who fell from a fixed latter attached to a truck container
- $5.3 million settlement for a carpenter who fell from a ladder
When you need a construction accident lawyer for a ladder accident in Queens, we bring extensive experience and deep resources to every case, and we are prepared to fight aggressively for the justice and maximum compensation you deserve.
Studies and Statistics About Ladder Injuries
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ladders were the cause of 22,710 workplace injuries that resulted in at least one day away from work in a single recent year. Of these, 5,370 injuries occurred on construction sites. Unfortunately, 351 of these construction ladder accident victims died as a result of their injuries.
Common Reasons for Ladder Accidents on Queens Construction Sites
Queens ladder accidents on construction sites may have a variety of causes, including the following examples:
- Wrong choice of ladder for the job
- Ladder was set up incorrectly
- Ladder was set up in hazardous conditions
- Ladder was damaged or defective
- Failure to provide or use necessary safety equipment, such as harnesses
- Ladder was overloaded
- Inadequate training on proper ladder use and safety measures
Regardless of the cause of the ladder accident that injured you, our experienced ladder accident lawyers are equipped to help you understand your potential avenues to pursue compensation and navigate the legal system to seek the maximum benefits you deserve.
Common Types of Ladder Accidents
Many types of ladder accidents can occur on construction sites. Some of the most common include:
- Falls from ladders or scaffolding
- Ladder accidents caused by uneven surfaces
- Ladders collapsing or breaking
- Falls caused by safety equipment failure
- Accidents resulting from improperly secured ladders
- Accidents resulting from inadequate training or supervision
Our Queens ladder accident lawyers are ready to review the circumstances surrounding your accident and examine all evidence to determine precisely what occurred and who is responsible for your injuries.
New York Labor Laws and Ladder Accidents in Queens
Several New York labor laws may be relevant to your construction ladder accident case, including:
- New York Labor Law 200 - Employers must provide a reasonably safe workplace to their employees in the interest of protecting their physical health and safety.
- New York Labor Law 240(1) — General contractors and construction project owners must provide sufficient equipment and protection to workers whose tasks involve working at heights. An injured worker doesn’t have to prove negligence on the part of their employer to recover under this law, just that a violation of this law resulted in their injury.
- New York Labor Law 241(6) — Site owners, general contractors, and other parties operating on a construction site must provide reasonable and adequate safety and protection to workers. These parties may be found vicariously liable for injuries caused by hazardous conditions, even if they did not directly create those conditions.
- New York Industrial Code 12 CRR-NY 23-1.21 — The use of specific types of ladders is tightly regulated in terms of which ladders can be used in specific circumstances on different types of worksites.
Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, including specific guidelines for ladders, also apply to construction sites in Queens.
Other Types of Ladder Accident Claims
Injured construction workers are most likely entitled to benefits through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance for injuries in a ladder accident. Workers’ compensation benefits are typically available regardless of who was to blame for the accident.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to file a claim against third- parties that caused the accident, whether through negligent action or inaction or through a violation of the law. For example, if the ladder was defective, you may be able to pursue compensation from its manufacturer under a product liability claim.
What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Ladder Accident?
Ladder accidents can result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and will likely keep you off the job while you focus on your physical recovery. That can lead to significant financial stress. While workers’ compensation coverage will pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses and provide partial wage replacement benefits, it does not cover intangible losses like emotional trauma and pain.
However, if you have a successful Labor Law claim or other third-party lawsuit, you can pursue compensation for a range of losses following a ladder accident, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and loss of earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Talk to Our Queens Ladder Injury Attorneys Today
If you were hurt in a ladder accident on a construction site in Queens, you shouldn’t have to navigate the complexities of the workers’ compensation and legal systems while trying to heal. Our Queens ladder accident lawyers want to help you understand your options and work with you to pursue the compensation you deserve, whether through a Labor Law claim, a workers’ comp claim, or another third-party lawsuit. Many injured workers have several types of valid claims.
The Perecman Firm, is focused on protecting the rights of injured workers in Queens and helping them seek justice through compensation and accountability from those responsible for their injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn more about what we can do for you.