Scaffolding Accidents

Construction sites, in Rockland County, use a wide variety of scaffolding systems including tubular steel scaffolding, rolling or baker scaffolding, wood scaffolding, and pole scaffolds. Each of these types of scaffolding has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to worker safety. All should be inspected regularly and properly maintained. Of course, no type of scaffolding is perfect, and workers are often hurt–and sometimes even killed–in construction site accidents involving scaffolding. If you or a loved one was injured in a scaffolding accident, speak with a Rockland County scaffolding accident lawyer at the Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., about seeking worker’s compensation benefits.

Scaffolding at a construction site poses unique dangers. With numerous workers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and others entering the job site throughout the workday, these workers can be injured in a slip and fall accident if the scaffolding work area is not kept clear of debris, tools, and excess materials. Additionally, rain, snow, ice and other inclement weather conditions can affect the safety of workers on scaffolding. In some instances, scaffolding can also be compromised by bumps from trucks, forklifts, loaders, or other equipment. Construction sites should protect the safety of its workers by implementing a fall protection or fall arrest system to protect workers against serious injuries in the event of a slip and fall accident. Scaffolding should also be secured with safety netting to prevent tools or other loose debris from falling onto workers or bystanders below.

Injured construction workers should talk to a scaffolding accident lawyer in Rockland County to understand their legal rights. Under New York law, a person who is hurt on the job may file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, such as medical benefits, temporary total disability payments and eventually, permanent partial or permanent total disability benefits. A person who is hurt at work has only a limited time to file a claim for benefits, so it is important to act promptly or your legal rights may be compromised. An injured worker has a right to retain an attorney to assist him or her with a workers’ compensation case, and it is important that anyone, who has been hurt in a scaffolding accident, be represented by a workers’ compensation attorney.

Statutory protections, under New York Labor Law Sections 240 and 241, also allow workers, injured in scaffolding accidents, to bring a lawsuit against a culpable party (other than one’s employer) for money damages due to pain and suffering. Under these statutes, contractors and property owners have certain obligations to workers who use scaffolding on a construction project. An experienced Rockland County scaffolding accident attorney can explain the important protections that can distinguish scaffolding injury cases from other work-related injuries or illnesses. The exclusivity provisions of workers’ compensation law (which usually limit a worker to benefits available through a workers’ compensation case) may not apply to construction workers hurt in scaffolding accidents.

If you have suffered a neck or back injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, fracture, or other serious injuries due to an accident involving a scaffold, you may be entitled to pursue significant financial compensation. At the Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, Attorney at Law, P.C., we represent those who have been hurt or who have lost loved ones in construction site mishaps and other on-the-job accidents in Rockland, Orange, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, Ulster, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. We also assist clients in the Greater New York Metropolitan area who are seeking fair compensation for injuries at work. For a free case evaluation from a scaffolding accident attorney in Rockland County, contact us through this website or phone us at 845.708.5900. You can also call Valerie’s cellphone 24/7 at 845.598.8253. Our firm also assists with medical and dental malpractice cases, car and truck accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect cases, and Social Security Disability cases.