Elevator Accidents on Construction Sites
Elevators and hoists are critical elements on many construction sites. Without them, constructing even moderately high buildings would not be possible. Of course, like most construction site equipment, there is the danger that elevators or hoists may malfunction, causing serious harm. Elevator accidents are often catastrophic, and the injuries they cause can keep you out of work for months. If you’ve been injured in an on-site elevator accident, you are eligible to receive compensation. The NYC construction elevator accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers PC understand what benefits you are entitled to and have the ability to maximize your recovery and obtain a comprehensive benefits package that will provide for you and your family.
Construction site injuries don’t need to ruin your life. The construction site elevator accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers PC will help you get the compensation you need to fully recover after an injury. Contact our law firm today at (516) 399-2364 to speak to a friendly lawyer near you.
Your Right to Workplace Safety
As an employee, you are entitled to a safe workplace. It is the general contractor’s responsibility to keep the job site up to all safety codes and regulations. This means you need to be provided with appropriate, up-to-code safety equipment. Your workplace should provide:
- Work gloves
- Harnesses
- Helmets
- Steel-toed boots
- Safety glasses
- Ear plugs or other devices to protect your hearing
- Radios or other communication devices, in case of trouble.
If the project manager or general contractor doesn’t provide all the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), they are creating an unsafe workspace. Similarly, if the equipment is out of date, substandard, or damaged, it will not provide the level of protection you deserve while working at a construction site. Either situation makes you eligible for compensation, and your construction site elevator accident lawyer will use that fact to get you damages.
Providing proper PPE isn’t the only duty your employer has to you while you work at a construction site. The employer must also ensure all elevators and hoists are properly maintained. This means they should be inspected daily or even more often if used heavily. If there are any signs of disrepair, the hoist or elevator should be placed out of commission until all problems are fully corrected. This situation might limit work for a day or more, but the alternative is putting workers at risk of significant injury. When employers don’t take all reasonable precautions to protect their workers, the NYC construction elevator accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers PC make them pay for their negligence.
How Workers Get Injured at NYC Construction Sites
When You Should Call a Construction Site Elevator Falls and Accidents Attorney
The NYC Department of Buildings tracks New York City construction site injuries and fatalities. There were 36 accidents in February 2023 alone, and that isn’t even the busy time of year for construction work. The severity of these accidents ranges from minor bruising to serious injuries. And any fall or elevator accident has the potential to cause lifelong or fatal injuries. You should be aware of your surroundings at all times while at a construction site. In particular, watch out for the following scenarios:
- Elevator cars or hoists that are making unusual sounds or not moving smoothly
- Any situation where you could become sealed in an airtight space
- Poorly secured equipment
- Unsafe harness points or lack of a spotter when using a harness
- Wet or exposed electrical devices
- Moving parts without guards
- Debris piles have not been cleared away, especially if they are near powered equipment.
Worksite injuries are usually the result of negligence. Someone fails to follow proper safety procedures, and you get hurt. If another person was responsible for your accident, you deserve compensation for your injuries. You shouldn’t be responsible for medical bills that weren’t your fault, and you shouldn’t lose income because of another person’s negligence.
Why You Should Choose a Construction Site Elevator Accident Lawyer from Tucker Lawyers PC
Our law firm is home to several attorneys who have years of experience handling construction site accidents. We understand the terminology used at a construction site and the regulations that control construction safety. Because we are so familiar with the industry and these types of cases, we can hit the ground running. You won’t have to waste valuable time explaining your situation and getting us up to speed. And that matters after a construction site accident. Not only do we need to act quickly to get you the maximum amount of money allowed by law, but you are also likely to be in great pain. You shouldn’t have to explain your industry to your lawyer while suffering from debilitating injuries.
In addition to our experience, we bring a client-first mentality to our profession. While it almost goes without saying that when you retain a lawyer, your goal is to get compensation for your injury, that isn’t your only priority. We take the time to understand your priorities so that we are serving your interests first. Do you need as much money as possible, or do you need to get the money as quickly as possible? Are you hoping your litigation will change things for the better so future employees aren’t injured? Would you like to maintain good relations with your employer, if possible? These are just some of the questions we ask to ensure that we are meeting your goals.
How successful are we at meeting the goals of our clients? Ask our past clients. Many of our current clients are friends and family of past clients who recommended us after we handled their cases. That is the type of record that our law firm is proud of. Come in for a free consultation, and you might be the next client recommending us to friends, family, and co-workers.
Construction site accident claims require experienced NYC construction elevator accident attorneys to maximize compensation. If you want to ensure that your medical bills are covered, call our Brooklyn personal injury lawyers today at (516) 399-2364.
The First Few Minutes After a Construction Site Accident
Your Health and Financial Future May Be at Stake
If you have been injured by a hoist or an elevator at a construction site, the first few minutes after the accident can be critical to your future. Both your long-term health and your finances may be affected by the decisions you make. And that is a lot of pressure to put on someone when they have just been seriously injured. The best way to ensure you make the right decisions is to plan for the possibility.
The first thing you need to do is call 911. Employers may be reticent to report injuries due to concerns about being cited for unsafe conditions. They may also encourage you not to report your injuries or avoid going to the emergency room, offering on-site first aid instead. For anything but the most trivial of injuries, you should ignore any pressure from your employer and put your health first. Even seemingly minor injuries, especially head injuries, can be much worse than they appear. By refusing an evaluation by a medical professional, you could miss out on critical medical attention when it has the most value. That could be the difference between a few weeks of recovery and decades of recovery. In the worst scenarios, the decision not to get medical attention could be fatal.
Next, you should contact a construction site elevator falls and accidents attorney. Once again, your employer might try to discourage you from consulting with a lawyer. Don’t let them stop you, even if they threaten to fire you. You have the right to be represented by an attorney. And if your employer ends your employment because you took advantage of that right, we can potentially use that action to get you additional compensation.
The main reason not to wait is that time is critical in any injury case. Our attorneys need to start investigating your case as quickly as possible. With every day that passes, evidence will be more difficult to collect as memories fade and the construction site continues to be used. Similarly, we will have several questions for you, and it will be easier for you to answer them if you are still at the site. Even if you have to leave the site, your memory will be better the earlier we ask those questions. You may even be able to collect some evidence for us, but only if you start the legal process as quickly as possible.
Finally, regardless of what your employer says, don’t sign anything or talk to your boss about the circumstances that led to your injury until you have an attorney present. Many workplaces will insist that you can only receive compensation if you sign certain documents. And, while that might be legitimate, you shouldn’t trust your employer until your lawyer has had time to read them. Unfortunately, many employers try to get employees to sign away their rights while offering only a pittance of the compensation they deserve in return.
FAQ
If you have questions regarding your construction site elevator accident case, don’t be shy about asking. We love answering questions because it helps you understand what is going on with your case.
Can I get disability pay after suffering an accident at a construction site?
This answer will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. You are eligible to receive compensation for lost wages due to an injury. Your attorney will determine exactly how to get it and maximize your compensation.
Can I talk about my injury on social media?
You probably shouldn’t for two reasons. First, your employer may have social media rules that you would be violating if you disparage them. Second, anything you post becomes a public record and may be used by an insurance company to deny your claim.
Should I accept a settlement offer from an insurance company?
Only accept a settlement offer from an insurance company if it was negotiated by your attorney or if your lawyer has had a chance to analyze it and determine whether it is fair. Once you accept money, you typically can’t get any more.
Can I get fired for getting hurt on the job?
Typically, your job is protected if you get hurt on the job. If you are fired after getting injured, tell your attorney immediately. Likely, your ex-employer has violated your rights, and we can probably get you additional money.
Do I need to sue my employer to get compensation?
Most cases end without a lawsuit. Typically, we will negotiate for a fair settlement with your employer’s insurance company, and, if they agree to a good deal, you will get paid without ever having to go to court.
Should I report my injury to New York City officials?
If the construction site manager is doing their job properly, your employer reported your injury to city officials. However, if you don’t believe that happened, you can report it yourself or tell us about your suspicions, and we will investigate whether it was properly reported.
The insurance company wants me to get evaluated by a specific doctor. Do I have to agree to this?
No, and you should tell us right away if the insurance company makes this demand. Your injuries will need to be evaluated, but typically you can choose a doctor you trust rather than being evaluated by a doctor chosen by the insurance company.
I am stuck in the hospital. How can I consult with an attorney?
If you are confined to a hospital due to a construction site injury, just tell our staff when you call for an initial consultation. We will arrange for an attorney to meet you at the hospital or for some form of digital consultation, whichever is most convenient.
Most people have almost no legal training. Even many lawyers are unfamiliar with the specific details of construction site accident law. If you have any questions, the best thing you can do is ask, so we can clear up any confusion quickly.
Contact a Construction Site Elevator Accident Lawyer Today
With all the safety regulations for construction sites in New York City, workplace accidents should be extremely rare. Unfortunately, many construction site managers ignore regulations and focus on efficiency and profits instead. If you have been hurt due to the negligence or recklessness of your employer, you deserve compensation for that harm. Experienced NYC construction elevator accident attorneys at Tucker Lawyers PC will help you collect that money quickly so that you can enjoy a speedy recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Are you being hounded by your boss or your employer’s insurance company to sign paperwork or get back to work after a construction site elevator accident? End the pressure by calling Tucker Lawyers PC at (516) 399-2364 immediately.
Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.
John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ Attorney Bio ]