Brooklyn Scaffolding Accidents Injure Construction Workers and Bystanders
It is rare to see a construction site that does not have scaffolding. Walking around Brooklyn, you will see scaffolding acting as an essential part of many sites. Scaffolding is used to elevate workers and materials through various phases of construction projects- building, repairing, and conducting maintenance.
Sadly, when scaffolding is involved, the accidents that occur can cause extremely severe injuries. Many injuries from scaffolding accidents result in long-term or permanent damage that can drastically change one’s life. For people who are injured by scaffolding accidents, various laws in New York can help provide victims with compensation for their injuries.
At the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C., we dedicate our practice to helping victims of construction accidents, including scaffolding accidents. We understand how difficult it can be to recover from severe injuries. We know that you might be out of work and worried about how to support your family while you face mounting medical bills. Our lawyers can navigate the legal complexities of your scaffolding accident claim and help you collect the maximum damages the laws allow.
What Causes Scaffolding Accidents in Brooklyn?
When discussing scaffolding accidents, it usually refers to a scaffolding collapse or scaffolding collapse accident. A partial or total scaffolding collapse can injure construction workers and innocent bystanders.
Most scaffolding is for temporary use. It is erected to complete all or part of a construction, repair or maintenance project. Because of their temporary nature, scaffolds tend to be put up hastily, with little planning or care. The causes of many scaffolding collapse accidents include:
- Defective scaffolding parts
- Substandard materials
- Overloaded scaffolding platforms
- Non-compliance with safety regulations such as OSHA scaffolding regulations
- Poorly constructed scaffolding
- Poorly (or not) maintained scaffolding
- Collisions with beams that support scaffolds
These are some of the reasons scaffolding collapses. It is not always easy to determine the cause of a scaffolding collapse. Having an experienced attorney can help ensure that your case is reviewed and investigated thoroughly. You want to seek liability from the correct party, or that may be responsible for your accident. There are often multiple entities that contribute to scaffolding accidents, and you might be able to seek damages from all of them.
Scaffolding Collapse Accidents Often Cause Severe Injuries
When a scaffold collapses, whoever is on it is likely to fall and become injured. Someone on the street can get hurt also by falling debris or equipment. Injuries that result from scaffolding collapse accidents can vary in severity depending on the height from which the collapse occurs.
Some of the most common injuries that result from scaffolding accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Concussions
- Crush injuries
- Amputation of legs, arms, fingers
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken back, back injuries
- Broken neck, neck injuries
- Death
Any of these injuries can drastically alter the life of the victims and their families. They might require surgeries, medications, therapies, and ongoing care or treatment. It might become impossible to return to the same job or find any way to earn an income. Medical bills, lost wages, and your recovery can wreak havoc on a families’ financial stability.
The physical, emotional, and financial toll of scaffolding collapse accidents is difficult. You must seek out an experienced construction accident attorney who can ensure you collect compensation the law allows.
After Your Scaffolding Collapse Accident: Do You Have a Personal Injury Claim?
If you are a construction worker who suffers a workplace scaffolding injury, the chances are that you will be seeking workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Workers’ comp can provide you with money for your medical bills and lost wages. There are very limited benefits that workers’ compensation provides injured employees. While they are helpful, they rarely cover all of the expenses associated with a scaffolding accident and the injuries that follow.
In limited circumstances, a worker may be able to file a personal injury claim to collect additional damages. A personal injury award can include medical expenses and income as well as non-economic damages such as emotional distress, loss of quality of life, pain, and suffering. The damages in a scaffolding personal injury lawsuit can far exceed the amount of workers’ compensation benefits.
The cause of a construction accident is not always apparent right away. It takes an experienced lawyer to investigate the events surrounding your accident, interview witnesses, and seek less obvious parties who may be responsible for acting negligently.
In some cases, the injuries are caused in part by a lack of safety equipment, faulty safety equipment or improper training on safety equipment.
No matter where your scaffolding accident happens in Brooklyn or New York, including Flatbush, Fishhook, Prospect Park, Canarsie, Brownsville, East New York, Bed Stuy, Bushwick, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights, Cadman Plaza, Clinton hill, Dumbo, Prospet Heights, Red Hook, Coney Island, Sheepshead Bay or any other area of Brooklyn, you have legal rights.
A construction worker injured in a scaffolding collapse may have a personal injury claim in some of the following circumstances:
- The negligence of the manufacturer of the scaffolding materials caused the collapse
- There was a design defect in the scaffolding, and the manufacturer knew or should have known about it
- Someone visiting or near the construction site was negligent and caused the scaffold accident – such as a vendor, subcontractor, driver, or passerby
- An intentional act caused the scaffolding collapse
- The non-employer building owner was negligent and caused the accident
A non-worker injured in a scaffolding collapse also can file a personal injury lawsuit against any negligent party that caused the accident and injuries. The limitations imposed by workers’ compensation, apply only when the injured person is an employee.
Before you decide how to proceed after you are injured in a scaffolding collapse accident, understand your options thoroughly. You don’t want to forfeit any of your legal rights to collect compensation to which the law entitles you.
Contact the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C., Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer
When a serious construction accident like a scaffolding collapse renders you injured, you are facing a complicated future. Your injuries may be severe enough to keep you out of work and unable to support your family. Whether you are a worker injured on the job or a person injured in passing, you have a variety of options that can provide you with recourse against whoever caused your accident. Find out what those options are from experienced, knowledgeable construction accident lawyers at the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C.
Call the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C.
You need to have representation from someone who understands New York Labor and OSHA laws, safety regulations, workers’ compensation, and personal injury laws. Look no further than the Law Office of Irene H. Gabo, P.C.
Call today for a free evaluation of your scaffolding collapse accident. Speak with our Brooklyn construction accident lawyers today at (800) 560-0214.
