You’re a hard, honest worker, and you expect to be kept safe on the job site. Unfortunately, accidents are too common within the construction industry. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or incident on a construction site, it’s important to seek the immediate help of an experienced personal injury attorney. The Smithtown construction accident lawyers at The Law Office of Carl Maltese have decades of experience providing legal representation to construction workers after these incidents.
Hurt at a Construction Site? Here’s What You Should Know
Construction workers face unique occupational hazards, with some of the key causes of on-the-job injuries and death being:
Falls, such as those from slippery, poorly designed ladders
Scaffolding or ladder collapses
Trips/Slips and falls at construction sites
Injuries from falling objects
Electrocution
Burns
Cuts and amputations
Motor vehicle accidents occurring at construction sites
Unsafe or defective equipment
Whether the injury happened to you or resulted in the wrongful death of a family member, it is critical to retain an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. When you hire The Law Office of Carl Maltese, we’ll ask you to fill out the necessary paperwork describing your accident and injuries. We’ll then begin an immediate, thorough investigation of the site and incident. Timing is critical, as the other parties’ insurance companies will begin gathering information the same day in an effort to deny liability for what happened.
Our investigation starts with obtaining the police report. A construction accident attorney in Smithtown will hire a private investigator to help us photograph the scene and obtain statements from witnesses. Our firm will also examine the municipality’s building department file, and, when necessary, hire a workplace safety expert to bring even more expertise to our team.
Other Smithtown Practice Areas
Lawsuit Against Third Parties
In New York State, injured workers cannot sue their employers for injuries that occur during the course of their employment. However, injured workers may sue “third parties” that are responsible for their injuries. This is key for construction site injuries, as liability may fall on the property owner, general contractor, subcontractor, architect, equipment manufacturer, sellers and distributors of defective products that cause injuries, or any number of other parties. Under New York’s Labor Law and New York common law, these third parties are responsible for providing a safe place to work and adequate safety equipment for all works on a construction site.
However, identifying these responsible parties requires a thorough understanding of the intricacies of construction projects. Before hiring a law firm to represent you or your family, you’ll want to confirm that your lawyer has experience in these types of cases. Our personal injury attorneys have helped countless Smithtown families navigate the legal system after their involvement in complex construction accidents. We may be able to help you hold these responsible parties accountable for their actions—or lack thereof—in a court of law. If we decide to pursue legal action together, we’ll help you file a workers’ compensation claim and a third-party claim, with the goal of receiving damages for your injuries from both claims.
Let a Smithtown Construction Accident Attorney Work for You
Construction accidents can completely change the lives of those involved and their families. Insurance companies, however, will attempt to minimize the impact of the incident by denying their clients’ liability. In some cases, they may offer to settle for a small amount outside of court. You should never accept a settlement without first speaking with our firm. In addition to your pain and suffering, a Long Island construction accident lawyer can employ the help of experts to show all the other ways the accident has affected you, from lost wages and diminished earning capacity to the cost of medical care. We work on a contingency basis, which means you’ll only owe us fees if we successfully recover damages for your family. Our proven track record gives us confidence in our ability to represent you in an attempt to prove liability and recover fair compensation for your injuries.
If you or a family member has been injured in a construction accident, let The Law Office of Carl Maltese help you determine if you have a case. Contact us today to request a free consultation at a location convenient to you.