Construction workers are injured in various ways on construction sites every day because of the negligence of employers and contractors in the construction industry. Considering this, it becomes important for someone to engage the services of a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so that a claim can be filed for personal injury or workers' compensation.
Free Consultations
A Commack construction accident lawyer from the Law Office of Carl Maltese offers free consultations so that someone who is injured can understand their legal rights and options. This helps them get the maximum compensation for the injuries they received because of the negligence of an employer who ignored safety policies and federal measures.
There are many causes of accidents that occur at a construction site. These include:
Caught In/Between - This type of accident can be described as someone being crushed, pinched, or squeezed in between two pieces of equipment or in between a wall and a piece of equipment. Getting a hand or foot stuck in a machine is a perfect example of this phenomenon.
Falls - This kind of accident occurring on a construction site is quite common, but it is preventable if employers in the construction industry would put in place proper training methods for their employees, as well as planning and securing proper safety gear and equipment.
Struck-Bys - Construction workers are injured on construction sites when they are struck by objects that might have been swinging, rolling, or flying falls from one level to a lower level striking someone and causing injury or death. Nails from a nail gun and debris that is air bound can cause serious injuries or death to construction workers.
Electrocutions - This type of accident can occur at a construction site too. Construction workers contend with the fact that electricity is involved in some way as they perform their daily tasks. Electricity is present as they use power tools, in overhead power lines, and extension cords. Loose wires pose a threat as an employee may come in contact with them and is sadly electrocuted.
Injuries and loss of life can, however, be prevented if employers and contractors on construction sites adhere to safety policies and federal compliance measures. Disregarding safety guidelines in the construction industry can lead to severe injuries or death of construction workers. Contractors can be cited for negligence if it can be proven that they ignored building permits and are not certified contractors.
Reasons to Contact an Attorney
In the face of family members losing a loved one in an accident on a construction site, then a Commack construction accident lawyer should be contacted immediately for the following reasons:
Legal advice is offered to the family whose loved one was injured on the construction site due to negligence on the part of the employer who decided to cut corners.
They protect the legal rights of the client.
Clients are provided with the best legal options for their cases.
These lawyers fight to ensure that the injured client receives the maximum compensation they deserve.
Assist in ensuring that the injured client recovers mentally, financially, and physically.
Someone involved in an accident at a construction site is, therefore, encouraged to exercise their legal rights by engaging the services of a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident so that a claim for workers' compensation or a valid personal injury case can be filed on time, ensuring that the injured worker receives compensation.
A Commack construction accident lawyer from the Law Office of Carl Maltese offers legal services that can assist someone in filing a claim for workers' compensation. Contact us at (631) 380-4417.
Construction workers are encouraged to call a lawyer and have their legal rights protected if they are injured at a construction site due to the negligence of employers refusing to adhere to safety guidelines.
After an Accident, Keep This in Mind
The following are some basic guidelines that injured construction workers and their family members are advised to keep in mind should an accident occur at a construction site.
The injured party should seek medical care immediately. This must be done so that the injuries are taken care of by a doctor. Additionally, doing so helps to ensure that an official medical report is made. The medical report is important to the insurance company as it is proof that an accident occurred, and medical attention was sought by the injured worker.
The supervisor at the construction site where the accident happened must be notified as soon as possible of the worker’s injuries. This report is non-negotiable, and it also means that a claim for workers' compensation can be made by the employee.
If someone is injured at a construction site and is taken away from the site to be treated medically, then a co-worker can be asked to collect information that is needed to make a claim for compensation on behalf of the injured party.
The name, address, and contact information of the employer, along with permit information, is going to be necessary. Also, images of the scene where the accident happened would be valuable in putting together a case to file a claim against a negligent employer.
A workers' compensation report should be filed on time. It should be also filed within two years so that benefits covering medical care and lost wages can be paid out to the injured construction worker.
Someone who suffered an injury on a construction site because of the negligence of an employer may be able to file a personal injury claim and a workers' compensation claim, but this is dependent on the circumstances that surround that case.
The Law Office of Carl Maltese can give legal advice to family members whose loved one was injured on a construction site because of negligence on the part of the employer or contractor. These recommendations provide the best option in pursuing a claim for maximum compensation.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA)
Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA). It was created to ensure that the safety and health conditions of workers would be paramount on worksites in the 50 states across the United States and the territories that fall under federal authority.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) also covers both public and private sector employers and their employees. The agency, however, has its share of problems in that it is unable to police the construction industry as it ought to because of a lack of manpower. This means that the blatant disregard of safety guidelines and federal compliance continues. Also, construction workers continue to be injured on the job.
OSHA cannot effectively oversee the safety and health concerns of over 120 million workers spread out over 8 million worksites.
The administration has in its employ only 1,850 inspectors who are expected to carry out their jobs by inspecting the 8 million worksites across the United States and its territories. It is an impossible task for the inspectors given that there is one inspector for every 70,000 workers.
In essence, it means that one inspector from the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), has the arduous task of ensuring that safety and health guidelines are followed for a more than reasonable amount of people.
This explains why it is that employers and contractors who are engaged in the construction industry continue to ignore building permits, cut corners to save money, and continue to supply their workers with inferior gear and equipment to do their jobs. While there is a responsibility on the part of the employer to support and protect the workforce, it is largely ignored.
Risking Lives Every Day
Construction workers continue to be at risk every day. They and their family members must contact a Long Island construction accident attorney who can offer legal assistance should an accident occur at a construction site that leads to an injury or death.
A Commack construction accident lawyer can claim personal injury or workers’ compensation on behalf of someone who is injured at a construction site because the employer chose to ignore safety policies and federal compliance, which caused injury to the employee.
The lawyer can also handle all matters concerning insurance adjusters and filing of all paperwork. They also investigate details on their injured client and the accident scene. Helping someone to understand their legal rights and options in getting maximum compensation for their injuries is a part of the assistance that is offered.
Here, the lawyer assists clients in finding the best doctors and specialists to provide the required course of care. Assistance is also given in securing relevant evidence.
Other Commack Practice Areas
Reach Out to the Law Office of Carl Maltese
A Commack construction accident lawyer offers a free consultation to injured workers and family members so that they fully understand what their options are in filing for compensation for sustaining an injury in an accident at a construction site.
Our legal team protects the legal rights of the injured party and effectively represents the best interest of the client while leaving no stone unturned and fighting to get the maximum compensation that is possible.
Call the Law Office of Carl Maltese today at (631) 380-4417.