Countless hardworking New Yorkers climb ladders on the job every day. Whether you work on a construction crew, a maintenance team, or at any other job that requires elevation tools, you risk your safety every shift to earn a living. When someone else’s carelessness causes a serious ladder injury, you deserve justice.
The experienced Queens ladder accident lawyers at Oresky & Associates, PLLC proudly represent the hardworking people of New York as they seek compensation for their injuries. We offer compassion, understanding, and tenacious advocacy after a life-altering ladder accident.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your case with an experienced ladder accident attorney in Queens. Your case evaluation is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Why Should I Hire a Queens Ladder Accidents Lawyer?
Pursuing a ladder accident claim while facing long recovery times and significant financial distress can be unbelievably overwhelming. A skilled Queens ladder accident attorney can relieve much of the pressure from you while giving you a distinct edge, whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.
The team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC offers our clients the following:
- Extensive Experience – We’ve fought for the rights of injured New Yorkers for over 30 years. We understand the Queens community, as well as the laws and local courts that will shape your case.
- Proven Track Record – We’ve recovered over $500 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients just like you. We know what it takes to recover the full value of your ladder injury claim.
- Strong Reputation – We’re regarded by peers, colleagues, opposing counsel, and local courts as honest, hardworking, and professional. That reputation is backed by hundreds of positive reviews from satisfied former clients.
- Critical Support – We offer compassion and critical support to all clients, making sure to listen, understand, provide guidance, and communicate openly and honestly as you navigate this complicated and challenging period in your life.
- Aggressive Advocacy – We’re prepared to fight for the outcome you deserve. We advocate aggressively for your best interests throughout the entire legal process.
- No Fees Unless We Win – Our team works on contingency, meaning we ask for no upfront payment, and you don’t owe us anything 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 Ladder Work?
Ladder work carries inherent safety risks, but those risks are significantly elevated when improper training, poorly maintained equipment, or insufficient safety measures are factors.
Some of the most common hazards associated with ladder work include the following:
- Unstable ground or surfaces
- Defective ladders
- Improper ladder positioning
- Insufficient fall protection
- Workers overreaching
- Harsh weather conditions
- Unsafe loads
These hazards often occur because contractors cut corners or ignore safety rules. New York labor laws require employers to maintain safe working conditions for their employees. When they fail to meet those requirements, they create serious risks for workers and potential liability for ladder accidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Ladder Accident Injuries?
Workers’ compensation insurance protects your employer from liability in a ladder injury lawsuit in exchange for your workers’ comp benefits. However, multiple other parties may bear legal responsibility for your injuries. Those parties include the following:
- Property Owners – Under New York premises liability law, property owners must maintain safe premises and promptly address known hazards, or they may be held legally responsible for any injuries that result.
- Contractors and Subcontractors – Contractors and subcontractors on your job site must enforce safety rules, provide proper equipment, and supervise workers. When they fail to do any of these things, they may face liability in a ladder injury case.
- Equipment Manufacturers – When a defective product causes a ladder failure, the manufacturer or distributor of the dangerous product may be responsible.
At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our team of skilled ladder injury lawyers can investigate the accident to determine how it happened and who might be responsible. Should you choose to pursue a third-party claim, we can guide you through the entire process.
What Types of Compensation Are Available to Ladder Accident Victims?
Ladder injury compensation typically comes from one of the following two places: workers’ compensation and third-party claims.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
Under New York Law, workers’ compensation provides the following:
- Coverage for all reasonable medical treatment
- A percentage of your lost wages
- Disability benefits when your injury limits your ability to work
- Benefits for permanent impairments
- Vocational rehabilitation services
Workers’ comp can provide critical financial stability as you continue to recover, but the compensation it offers is limited compared to what you might recover through a third-party claim.
Third-Party Claims
If a person or party other than your employer caused or contributed to the accident, you may have a valid personal injury claim against them. Compensation in these claims can include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Full lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- All out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Determining whether you have a valid third-party claim requires careful investigation. The attorneys at Oresky & Associates, PLLC can review your case free of charge, inform you of your legal options, and help you pursue whichever pathway to rightful compensation you choose.
What Could My Ladder Accident Case Be Worth?
Determining the full value of a claim requires careful consideration of several factors. Those factors include the following:
- Severity of your injuries
- Length of your recovery
- Medical costs
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Permanent disabilities or impairments
- Impact on daily life
- Emotional and psychological harm
- Strength of evidence
Our attorneys leave no stone unturned when determining the value of your claim. We work with medical professionals and financial experts to assess the true impact of the accident on your daily life and finances, and then we fight to recover every last penny.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Ladder Accident in New York?
New York sets strict deadlines for all injury claims. If you fail to file within the allowed time, you likely lose your right to recover compensation. The filing dates are as follows:
- Personal Injury Lawsuits – You typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
- Wrongful Death Claims – If you’re pursuing a claim on behalf of a deceased loved one, you generally have two years from the date of death.
- Workers’ Compensation – You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days, and you have two years from the date of the accident to file a workers’ comp claim.
If you want to protect your rights after a ladder accident, you must act quickly. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
How Do New York Labor Laws Apply in Ladder Accident Claims?
New York has some of the strongest worker safety laws in the country. Three key labor laws that frequently apply to ladder accident cases include:
Labor Law Section 200
Section 200 requires property owners and contractors to provide safe working conditions. They must maintain safe equipment and promptly address known hazards. When they ignore these responsibilities, they violate the law.
Labor Law Section 240 (the Scaffold Law)
Section 240 protects workers who perform tasks at elevated heights. This law requires owners and contractors to supply proper safety devices, including ladders, harnesses, ropes, and other fall-prevention equipment.
Labor Law Section 241
Section 241 requires contractors and property owners to comply with specific safety rules on construction sites, including rules about equipment and worksite conditions. Violations often provide strong evidence in personal injury claims.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for the Accident?
Yes, even if someone claims you caused the accident, you can still pursue compensation. New York follows a comparative negligence system, which allows you to recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident. However, under this system, your recovery will be decreased by your percentage of fault.
That means that if the recovery is $100,000, but you were determined to be 20 percent at fault for the accident, your recovery would be reduced by that 20 percent, which means you would ultimately receive $80,000.
At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, our attorneys fight to maximize your recovery by aggressively challenging unfair assignments of blame. Insurers may try to shift fault, but we can push back with evidence-based arguments for full compensation.
What Are Common Causes of Ladder Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of ladder accidents include the following:
- Unstable or slippery surfaces
- Damaged or defective ladders
- Improper ladder setup
- Missing safety equipment
- Inadequate supervision
- Poor site maintenance
- Pressure to rush tasks
- Inadequate worker training
Far too many of these causes result from preventable errors. Our lawyers fight to hold the negligent party accountable when their preventable errors cause you physical, emotional, and financial devastation.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Ladder Accidents?
Improper use of ladders can result in a wide range of serious injuries. Some of the most common among them include the following:
- Broken arms, legs, ribs, and hips
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Crush injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Lacerations and soft-tissue damage
- Internal bleeding
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
These injuries often require lengthy recovery periods and extensive medical treatment. At Oresky & Associates, PLLC, we work with medical experts to get you the treatment you need while we fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Ladder Accident Attorney in Queens Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a ladder accident, the team at Oresky & Associates, PLLC can help. Whether you’re looking to file for workers’ comp benefits, appeal a denial, or pursue a third-party lawsuit, we have the knowledge, experience, compassion, and dedication you need to achieve your desired outcome.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation with a Queens ladder accident attorney 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.