Manhattan Scaffolding Accident Attorney

Being injured while on a construction site can derail your life in an instant. Turn to the seasoned attorneys who know how to hold contractors and property owners accountable for your losses. With over $500 million recovered for workers like you, we at Oresky & Associates, PLLC, know how to get results.

Every construction worker in New York City is entitled to scaffolding that provides proper protection for the work they perform. Unfortunately, far too many scaffolds prove to be unsafe. Whether due to supervisors failing to provide safety equipment, contractors cutting corners, or simply failing to properly construct the scaffolding, workers can suffer serious injuries from a scaffolding collapse or fall.

The skilled Manhattan scaffold accident lawyers at Oresky & Associates, PLLC, proudly protect the rights of hardworking New Yorkers when the action or inaction of liable contractors or property owners causes them life-altering harm. We have the knowledge and experience you need to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your case with an experienced scaffold accident attorney in Manhattan. Your case evaluation is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter. Hablamos español.

Why Should I Hire a Manhattan Scaffolding Accidents Lawyer?

Pursuing a scaffolding injury lawsuit, or even seeking workers’ comp benefits for your scaffolding injuries, can be complicated and challenging. An experienced Manhattan scaffold accident attorney can provide the knowledge, skill, and sound legal guidance you need to achieve your desired outcome.

When you work with the team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC, you’ll have the benefit of the following factors:

• Meaningful Experience – We’ve been fighting for the rights of injured New Yorkers for over 30 years. Our extensive experience with the New York City legal system gives us unique insight when building your case.
• Strong Track Record – Our team has recovered over $500 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients just like you. We’re prepared to fight for every penny you’re owed.
• Strong Reputation – We have a reputation for honesty, hard work, and professionalism among peers, colleagues, local courts, and opposing counsel. That reputation is supported by hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied former clients.
• Critical Support – We take a human approach to every case, offering not only sound legal guidance but compassionate support to all clients. We make sure to listen, understand, build a solid case strategy, and communicate openly throughout the entire process of your claim or lawsuit.
• Aggressive Advocacy – Big insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to minimize your payout. We will advocate aggressively for your best interests, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
• No Fees Unless We Win – Our firm works on a contingency basis. That means we charge you nothing up front, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.

Reach out to us today. Your case review is free and fully confidential.

What Are Some of the Hazards and Risks Associated with Scaffolding Work?

Scaffolding work demands constant attention to safety. Workers move along narrow planks and climb across complete structures, often at great heights. Even a minor oversight can have devastating consequences.

Major scaffolding hazards include the following:

Scaffold work presents constant exposure to elevation risks, but strong safety protocols and proper equipment can significantly mitigate those risks. When contractors or property owners fail to provide those things, disaster can strike in the blink of an eye, and they may be held responsible.

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Scaffolding Accident Injuries?

Many parties can cause or contribute to scaffolding accidents on construction sites. New York law places the burden for providing a safe workplace on those parties in the best position to do so.  Some of the most common among them include the following:

• Property Owners
• Contractors
• Subcontractors
• Agents of the Owner

What Types of Compensation Are Available to Scaffolding Accident Victims?

Scaffolding accident victims can pursue compensation through workers’ compensation, third-party personal injury claims, or both.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Workers’ comp insurance offers benefits to injured workers in exchange for protecting employers from personal injury lawsuits. The benefits that this system provides include the following:

• All necessary medical care related to the accident
• A percentage of your lost income while you’re out of work healing
• Partial or total disability benefits
• Vocational rehabilitation services

To receive workers’ compensation benefits, you must notify your employer in writing within 30 days and file a claim with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board within two years.

Third-Party Claims

If someone other than your employer contributed to or caused your injury, you could be eligible to file a third-party claim. While workers’ comp only covers medical bills and partial wage replacement, a third-party claim offers more comprehensive compensation, including the following:

There are instances in which workers may be entitled to file claims for both workers’ comp benefits and personal injury compensation. At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys can review your case at no cost and explore all potential avenues to recover the money you need.

What Could My Scaffolding Accident Case Be Worth?

Every scaffolding accident case differs significantly. We’ll work with medical professionals and financial experts to examine the unique circumstances of your case and assess its value.

Key factors include the following:

Falls from scaffolds frequently cause severe harm, including fractures, spinal injuries, internal trauma, brain injuries, and even death. Many victims require long-term rehabilitation and face permanent work restrictions. These consequences often increase potential compensation.

Our lawyers can document every loss you suffer, whether it’s physical, emotional, or financial, when calculating your maximum compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Scaffolding Accident in New York?

New York law sets strict deadlines for recovering compensation after a scaffolding accident. Those deadlines include the following:

• Personal Injury Lawsuits – You typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Workers’ Compensation Claims – You must notify your employer of the accident within 30 days and file a formal workers’ comp claim within two years.

Missing these deadlines can severely limit your legal options, which is why it’s essential to act quickly and contact an attorney from Oresky & Associates, PLLC, right away.

How Do New York Labor Laws Apply in Scaffolding Accident Claims?

New Yorkers enjoy some of the strongest worker-protection laws in the country, and some of them apply directly to scaffolding work. The most significant labor laws for scaffolding accidents include:

Labor Law Section 200

Section 200 requires contractors and property owners to maintain reasonably safe job sites. They must supply proper safety equipment and address known hazards promptly.

Labor Law Section 240 (the Scaffold Law)

Section 240 provides powerful protections for workers who perform tasks at heights. This law imposes strict liability on contractors and property owners to provide proper protection for workers performing their duties on scaffolds, ladders, and other make-shift platforms.

Labor Law Section 241

Section 241 requires compliance with specific building-site safety codes for construction, excavation, and demolition. It requires property owners and contractors to meet specific safety standards and grants workers the right to sue when these standards are not met.

Who’s Liable for a Scaffolding Accident?

State law provides strong protection for construction workers. One of the most important is New York Labor Law § 240(1). It states that the parties responsible for providing the worker with safety equipment are fully liable for the accident. Such parties include construction company owners, contractors, certain building owners, and their agents.

What does that mean for you if you’re a construction worker who was injured on the job? Let’s say you suffered injuries due to “gravity-related risks” — such as a fall from a scaffold, ladder, or a hoist, or being struck by a falling object — and you were using safety equipment at the time of the accident. If it failed to provide proper protection, you have the right to sue the at-fault parties for injury compensation. Even if your own actions contributed to the accident, you still have the right to sue.

To be eligible for compensation, you must meet the following criteria:

• You Must Have Suffered Injuries While Involved in Certain Activities – These include erecting a building, building demolition, window cleaning, building repairs, making alterations to a structure, or painting a structure.
• There Must Have Been a Height Differential or Other Gravity Related Risk for Labor Law 240(1) to Apply – The strict liability aspects of 240(1) only apply in those instances. You or the object that hit you must have fallen from one level to another.

When you meet with the reputable construction law attorneys at Oresky & Associates, PLLC, we can review your situation to determine what happened and who may be liable. Reach out to us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

What Are Common Causes of Scaffolding Accidents?

Manhattan scaffolding accidents often occur when someone ignores safety rules or rushes a project. Common causes include the following:

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Scaffolding Accidents?

Scaffolding accidents often cause devastating injuries that can permanently alter victims’ lives. Common injuries include the following:

Contact a Scaffolding Accident Attorney in Manhattan Today

If you’ve suffered injuries in a scaffolding accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need a skilled personal injury attorney to protect your rights. The team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC, is prepared to fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve while you focus on recovery.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation with a scaffold accident attorney in Manhattan to learn more about your legal rights and options. Your case review is fully confidential, and we charge nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Se habla español.