Long Island Construction Accident Lawyer

Construction work remains one of the most physically demanding and hazardous occupations in New York. Workers frequently perform tasks at heights, operate heavy equipment, and navigate complex work environments where multiple contractors may be working simultaneously. Even when employees follow safety protocols, dangerous conditions created by negligent contractors, property owners, or equipment failures can lead to severe injuries.

Construction sites can be dangerous, especially if managers do not take the proper precautions to protect workers. Buildings could collapse, structures might break, and both employees and passersby can sustain serious injuries. When owners or contractors cut corners on safety precautions and thereby cause you harm, they may be held legally responsible.

In these situations, a Long Island construction accident lawyer can help you take an important step toward understanding your rights and determining whether compensation may be available.  If you were harmed while working on a construction site, our workers’ compensation attorneys may be able to provide valuable advice regarding your legal options. Our attorneys could help to gather evidence and build a persuasive case to seek compensation.

The Statute of Limitations in Long Island

The statute of limitations is an important aspect of any civil claim in New York, as it sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit. In the case of an injury claim stemming from a construction site accident, an injured individual has three years from the date of their injury to file their construction accident lawsuit.

While there may be exceptions to this statute, failure to file an action within this three-year period could mean that a plaintiff loses the opportunity to recover damages. A proactive Long Island construction accident attorney could help an injured person gather evidence to support their claim and file a lawsuit that adheres to the relevant statute of limitations.

For injured workers, taking action early can make a significant difference in the strength of a legal claim. Evidence from a construction site accident may disappear quickly. Equipment may be repaired or replaced, witnesses may change jobs, and work sites may be altered or demolished as projects continue. Our team could move quickly to preserve key evidence, interview witnesses, and review safety reports or accident records that may help establish liability. Acting promptly can also ensure that injured workers remain in compliance with the filing deadlines that apply to both workers’ compensation claims and civil lawsuits.

Negligence in Construction Site Incidents

Virtually all work sites are governed by labor laws, and New York Labor Law § 200 specifically describes the duty that owners and contractors have to provide adequate and safe equipment and devices for workers’ protection. This equipment includes adequate lighting, railings, and other provisions that may help ensure a work environment is safe for workers and others who may lawfully enter the area.

Because of this law, owners and contractors may be legally liable for injuries that occur as a result of unsafe work conditions or the manner in which workers perform their duties. As with any claim based on negligence, though, documentation is key in pursuing a successful case.

Negligence arises when an individual—such as an employer—has a legal duty of care, breaches that duty, and causes an accident that results in the claimant’s injuries. A law firm with experienced attorneys can help a claimant in Long Island evaluate the details of a construction accident to determine whether the at-fault party acted negligently.

Contributing Safety Factors That Could Prove Negligence

Construction accident investigations often reveal multiple contributing factors. In some cases, contractors fail to provide proper protective equipment. In others, safety inspections may not occur regularly, or workers may be pressured to meet unrealistic deadlines that compromise safety procedures. A construction accident lawyer in Long Island could review accident reports, OSHA documentation, and job site safety records to determine whether negligence played a role in the incident.

Establishing negligence is critical because construction accidents frequently involve more than one responsible party. For example, multiple parties may each have played a role in creating unsafe conditions, including:

• Subcontractor
• A property owner
• General contractor
• Equipment manufacturer 

By identifying every potentially liable party, an experienced legal team could help maximize the compensation available to injured workers.

Liability Related to Scaffolding, Demolition, or Excavation

Owners and contractors may also face liability for injuries that occur due to specific aspects of a construction job. This includes accidents involving scaffolding, demolition, and excavation. A persistent Long Island construction site accident lawyer could help a plaintiff determine which laws owners or contractors may have violated to cause a construction site injury.

Scaffolding

Falls from heights remain one of the most common causes of serious injuries on construction sites. Workers may be required to operate on scaffolding, ladders, or temporary platforms while performing tasks such as installing structural components or repairing exterior surfaces. Similar to a contractor or employer’s general duties of care, the Scaffold Law outlines how parties may be liable for injuries that result from the failure to provide proper equipment. This law applies generally to work site activities that involve high elevation, as well as when workers must clean, repair, paint, or demolish a particular area.

If the provided safety equipment is defective, improperly installed, or missing entirely, the risk of catastrophic injury rises dramatically. Our dedicated attorneys could examine whether violations of the Scaffold Law contributed to a worker’s injuries and pursue the responsible parties accordingly.

Demolition and Excavation

Demolition and excavation work present unique hazards that require strict adherence to safety standards. Beyond just the tenets of the Scaffold Law, owners and contractors must take precautions to ensure that any area in which demolition or excavation occurs is adequately safe for workers. This duty might also extend to areas surrounding the work site, such as stairways and entryways. Building collapses, in particular, are especially dangerous and can lead to fatal accidents that require wrongful death compensation.

Structural instability, falling debris, trench collapses, and heavy machinery accidents are all potential risks during these phases of construction. If contractors fail to reinforce excavation walls, secure surrounding structures, or properly coordinate demolition activities, workers and nearby pedestrians may suffer severe injuries. In these situations, we could can evaluate whether safety violations or negligence led to the incident.

How Our Firm Can Help You After a Workplace Injury

Workers injured on construction sites often face long recovery periods and financial uncertainty. Medical treatment, rehabilitation, and time away from work can place significant strain on injured workers and their families. A Long Island construction accident attorney at Goldstein & Bashner can help injured workers understand their legal rights, pursue available workers’ compensation benefits, and explore potential third-party claims that may provide additional financial recovery. By investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and advocating for you, an attorney can help ensure that negligent parties are held accountable and you receive the compensation necessary to move forward.

At Goldstein & Bashner, we understand that a construction accident can leave you facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future. Construction accidents often involve complicated legal questions related to workers’ compensation benefits, third-party liability, and compliance with New York labor laws. Our knowledgeable team could help you evaluate your situation, determine which parties may be responsible, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Long Island Construction Accident Attorney

Hard-working individuals deserve to perform the tasks of their job in a reasonably safe work environment. As such, owners and contractors must provide proper equipment and devices for workers and ensure they use safe methods to complete tasks.

If you believe that one of these parties directly caused your worksite injury through their negligence, discussing the details of your case with a Long Island construction accident lawyer may be worthwhile. A successful claim could grant you recovery for economic damages such as lost wages, medical bills, and decreased earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages, including mental anguish and pain and suffering. Call us today to learn more.