Construction Accident Attorney in New York

At Pyrros, Serres & Rupwani, we represent construction site accident victims throughout New York City, Long Island, and the great metropolitan area, so we know just how common these accidents are. Your construction site accident attorney in New York supports numerous unique cases daily and knows the complex ins and outs of navigating verdicts and settlements. The unsettling construction site accident statistics speak for themselves. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the construction industry face the highest fatality rate of all occupations in the United States, with a total of 1,088 work-related fatalities in 2020 alone. In 2020, 165,300 construction workers suffered non-fatal injuries across the United States, often resulting in high medical bills, permanent disabilities, and reduced earning capacities. 

In New York alone, 97 workers died in fatal construction site accidents in 2021. Of that group, nine were involved in transportation accidents, 30 in falls, and 13 in exposure to harmful or toxic environments. In 2021, over 1,800 construction injury cases were reported in New York, equating to approximately five injuries per day across the state.

As construction continues booming across New York, more workers suffer injuries. If you need a New York workers’ compensation lawyer, you’ve come to the right place. 

The key to maximizing compensation after a construction accident in New York is to present a case that is as strong as possible. By proving the elements of your claim, with the help of an attorney, you can put yourself in a better position to receive a bigger settlement or lawsuit award than if you chose to represent yourself.

In fact, according to the Insurance Research Council, accident victims can receive settlements that are 3-3.5 times higher than those who choose to represent themselves.

In addition to working with a construction site accident attorney, New York accident victims can increase their chances of having a favorable outcome by taking the following tips to heart:

1. Seek prompt medical attention. After a construction accident injury, the first thing you should do is to consult with a doctor and get immediate medical attention. There are a couple of reasons for doing this. First, it’s possible that you have a much more serious injury than you initially realize. If you delay seeking medical attention, you could exacerbate your injury, which is bad for your health, and it could compromise your claim.
   Further, delaying medical attention signals to the insurance company that your injury wasn’t that serious. Again, that could make it more difficult for you to argue that you deserve a specific amount of compensation because not going to the doctor is usually a sign that someone is minimally injured or not injured at all.
2. Document and preserve evidence. Liability determination in a construction accident isn’t always straightforward, and it may require in-depth accident investigations to unravel the facts. Further, determining the financial compensation for New York construction accident victims requires having detailed accounts of medical bills and other expenses incurred during your physical and financial recovery.
   Therefore, getting accident photos of the scene and witness statements at the scene, as well as keeping records of medical treatments, lost wages, and expenses is imperative for your case.
3. Don’t talk to the insurance company. You may be tempted to hash things out with the insurance company and settle quickly to get cash in hand. While it’s normal to want to do this, this tactic can backfire. Anything you say can be used against you to harm your case. It’s recommended to let your attorney handle these conversations instead.
4. Avoid posting on social media. Social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are often the first place we turn to when we want to share news and updates about our lives. However, you should avoid social media altogether until your claim is settled.
   Again, like conversations with insurance companies, anything posted on social media can potentially be used against you. Even something innocuous like going out to dinner with friends can be interpreted as your injury not being as serious as you claim.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

As a no-fault system, workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees who suffer a construction injury or construction-related illness in the workplace, regardless of which party was at fault. In addition to receiving compensation for lost wages and medical expenses, additional disability benefits and vocational rehabilitation may be recovered.

To recover, you must file a claim with the workers’ compensation board, and any dispute is handled through an administrative proceeding. Typically, when you pursue workers’ comp, you cannot sue your employer. However, you can still seek compensation from other at-fault third parties.

Lawsuits

In contrast to workers’ compensation, lawsuits involve proving that another party was either at fault or somehow negligent for your injuries. In addition to receiving compensation for lost wages and medical expenses, you may be able to recover for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and punitive damages.