What You Should Know about New York Construction Accidents

New York construction law protects you

It’s a fact. Construction work is the most dangerous in America. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry accounts for the highest number of worker fatalities of any industry. Each year, thousands of workers are killed or seriously injured while working on construction sites.

Therefore, federal and state laws strictly regulate how premises owners, general contractors and sub-contractors equip their employees and maintain their construction operations.

But in the face of crushing deadlines and deflated budgets, some property owners, architects and onsite construction managers sacrifice safety.

New York State labor law was enacted to make the workplace safe for construction workers and others on the premises. These laws include:

Section 240(1) — requires that contractors and land owners of buildings larger than two family dwellings shall furnish or erect scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes and other devices to give proper protection to construction workers.

Section 241 (6) — requires that work done at a construction, excavation, or demolition site be so constructed, shored, equipped, guarded, arranged, operated and conducted to provide adequate protection and safety to persons lawfully frequenting the premises.

Property owners and insurance companies are continually challenging these laws. As a result, courts have begun to interpret the laws more strictly, thus limiting or eliminating benefits for workers who have been injured or killed in construction accidents.

Learn more about Hach & Rose results for victims of construction accidents>>>

Know your rights

Failure to understand third-party actions under New York State labor law often leads to failure to take advantage of opportunities and safeguards that protects workers. A skilled New York construction accident attorney can help you understand exactly how the law applies to your specific situation.

A recognized New York construction accident law firm that fights for your rights

Hach & Rose attorneys have been helping construction accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve. Firm partners Michael Rose and Greg Hach have been leaders in advocating for the rights of those injured at construction sites since founding Hach & Rose a decade ago. Further, for the last five years, Attorney Rose has sat on a prominent panel of lecturers focusing on the topic of NY construction site accidents with the New York Bar Assocation.

Our client commitment doesn’t stop with jury verdict. We take cases through the appeals process if need be to obtain the best possible recovery for our clients.

Filing a claim against the parties responsible for your injury

For workers, identifying those parties may become more complicated. For example, a worker not employed or equipment not owned or leased by your company may have caused your injury. Depending on the nature and cause of your injury, others may be liable for your damages. Hach & Rose is well versed in labor law and third-party claims and can help you begin the process toward financial recovery. We apply our meticulous investigative skills to uncover the cause of the accident and identify the responsible parties.

Get your free initial, no-obligation and confidential consultation with a skilled New York construction injury attorney

Unsure you have a case? Speak with an experienced New York construction accident lawyer at Hach & Rose. We provide free, no-obligation consultations and multilingual services, and we serve clients nationwide. Our New York accident attorneys provide counsel to union members, their families and friends. Please call our New York City office at (212) 779-0057 or (866) 529-7872, or fill out our online contact form today.

Verdicts & Settlements

$8,000,000

Jury verdict obtained for the daughter of a union member who was involved in a motorcycle accident as a passenger. She sustained serious fractures of her hip and leg resulting in open reduction with internal fixation. This was a very difficult liability case, in that the motorcycle was traveling behind a vehicle that stopped short and the driver of an oncoming vehicle swerved into the small space existing between the stopped vehicle and the double yellow line at the moment just prior to impact.

$6,058,000

Jury verdict for a phlebotomist diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) as a result of striking her knee on a disassembled bed frame left by the health care facility where she was working.

$3,525,000

For construction supervisor and union member who fell from a makeshift ladder injuring his back.

$3,500,000

For union stone setter who was injured when another worker threw a piece of sheetrock out a window striking him on the ground below.

$3,200,000

Settlement obtained for a union carpenter who was injured in a fall at work and, as a result, sustained RSD.

$2,500,000

Settlement for union worker who was killed while being driven in a car from a company parking lot.

$2,500,000

Settlement amount obtained for a member of sheet metal workers local who was injured when he slipped and fell on an unsecured board at a construction site.

$2,500,000

Settlement for a union worker who was injured when a piece of construction debris fell from a building. Client suffered a back injury and Hach & Rose won summary judgment as to liability on behalf of the client and the case settled just prior to trial.

$2,500,000

Settlement for a Union Laborer who injured his neck in an accident on a construction site. He was struck by an unsecured board that fell from a scaffold.

$2,300,000

Jury verdict obtained for a pedestrian who was struck by a New York City Transit Authority bus.

$2,300,000

For the family of a union operating engineer that was killed in the course of his employment.

$2,225,000

Settlement obtained for an engineer who was injured in a motor vehicle accident.

$2,200,000

Jury verdict obtained for a union member who suffered a back injury following an automobile accident. This case was remarkable because the client had a 4 year gap in medical treatment.

$2,100,000

Obtained for construction worker who was struck by a Bobcat operated by a co-worker.

$2,100,000

For a school fireman and union member who was injured when he fell from a poorly constructed permanent ladder.

$1,800,000

Settlement obtained (co counsel) for a union engineer that suffered from lung cancer due to his work in and around asbestos. He is currently retired and is in complete remission. His case is remarkable because it was rejected by a major New York asbestos law firm.

$1,625,000

Settlement obtained for a union carpenter just prior to trial in which the client stepped off a ladder and tripped on debris left by another contractor. The client has since moved out of state and is working in another field.

$1,450,000

Jury verdict obtained for a 60 year old, self employed woman who slipped and fell on water in a cafeteria while at a conference. The award was for past and future pain and suffering, as well as a loss of consortium claim for the woman’s husband.

$1,350,000

For a man injured in an automobile collision with a tractor trailer whose operator was driving under the influence of alcohol.

$1,300,000

Settlement obtained during trial for a woman injured in an automobile accident.

$1,200,000

Settlement obtained (co counsel) for a union worker that suffered from lung cancer due to his work in and around asbestos. He continues to work in his job and is in complete remission.

$1,175,000

For a union cleaner who was injured when poorly stacked soda bottles toppled over and struck her when she was in the process of cleaning the cafeteria.

$1,000,000

Settlement obtained for the family of a man who died as a result of a negligently performed gastric bypass surgery.

$980,000

Arbitration award obtained for a husband and wife who were injured in an automobile accident.

$750,000

Settlement obtained for a union construction worker injured on the job due to improperly secured floor covering.

$575,000

Settlement for operating engineer who fell from ladder while performing a repair.

$500,000

Settlement obtained for a union stone setter who was injured on an unsafe worksite.

$500,000

Settlement obtained for a 61 year old woman who injured her knee when she fell in a Brooklyn Shopping Center. The fall resulted when a man backed into her while trying to catch a stuffed animal being thrown during an event. The mall was negligent for failing to adhere to standard crowd control practices.

$425,000

Obtained for person injured in fall from makeshift ladder.

$400,000

Jury verdict for woman who was stuck by automobile while crossing the street causing a knee injury.

$320,000

Obtained for operating engineer injured while performing repair.

$275,000

Obtained for union member injured in fall from work platform.

$200,000

Settlement for operating engineer who was injured when an improperly secured motor fell while being hoisted.

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Testimonials

"My wife, daughter and I were in a car accident. My wife was badly injured. From the moment we contacted your office, I felt like a huge weight was off my shoulders; your office helped us complete all of our insurance and medical paperwork, answered all of our questions and made a difficult situation much easier to handle. Thanks."

-C.C., injured union member,
Bronx, New York.

"I steered clear of a large law firm because I heard horror stories about how difficult it is to reach a live person and how the average client is treated like a piece of cattle. They [HACH & ROSE] were available whenever I needed to discuss my case, and I was very happy with the amount of money I received. If I couldn't reach them on the phone they always returned my call later that same day."

-C.P., injured union member,
Queens, NY.

"When I needed legal advice, I went to HACH & ROSE… Thanks, you sure made my life easier."

-R.R., injured union member,
New York City.

"I was lucky, and didn't have to look far when I needed help. My local (union) had a great lawyer to help me and my family. I didn't have to concentrate on anything but getting healthy, they took care of the rest."

-T.S., injured union member
speaking at a rally for
asbestos victims in NYC.

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