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Tag: kings county construction attorney
Construction Accident Injuries
Very often, construction accidents on construction sites result in tragic injuries and even death. Confusion as to who is liable for the injury deters some victims from seeking justice. Although several subcontractors may be present on a construction site and their duties overlap; unraveling the mystery of liability can be accomplished by understanding the statutes and prior case law that have evolved to protect such construction accident victims. Worker’s compensation law must also be sorted through before deciding to litigate. If this tangled web of laws is properly sifted through, liability can be assigned and the construction accident victims and their families will be compensated for their injuries.
In recent years, the New York courts have been flooded with construction accident injury cases. The New York times published an article on June 2, 2015 by
Construction victims and their families are not expected to understand the complex web of laws known in New York as “Labor Laws.” Discussing these issues with experienced attorneys can reduce the confusion and let you know what rights you have. Being injured on a construction site can lead to huge financial compensation if handled properly.
New York Construction Accident Attorneys
If you have questions about an accident occurred on a construction site, please call the Law Firm of Vaughn, Weber & Prakope, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak to an attorney today!
Injured on Construction Site
Labor Law §240(1), sets forth,
“All contractors and owners and their agents…shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the performance of such labor scafolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed.” (Emphasis added).
If you are injured due to a safety device not specifically listed in the statute, you may still be covered by the term “…and other devices.” The New York Court of Appeals has taken the stance that this statute is to be construed liberally so as to fulfill the legislatures intention in enacting the statute. .Zimmer v. Chemung County Performing Arts, Inc., 65 N.Y.2d 513, 493 N.Y.S.2d 102 (1985).
Labor Law Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident due to the lack of a safety device, call The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak to a Labor Law attorney today!
Gravity and Construction Sites
The obvious thought that comes to mind when thinking about how gravity can play an important role in construction site injuries is a construction worker falling to the ground from an elevated position. An equally important and equally dangerous scenario arises when objects fall from an elevated position. The New York Courts have placed an emphasis in ensuring that adequate safety devices are employed when hoisting or lifting materials so that the materials remain secure and the danger to the workers below is decreased significantly. Rocovich v. Consolidated Edison Co., 78 N.Y.2d 509, 577 N.Y.S.2d 219 (1991).
In a perfect world, proper safety devices would always be used on construction sites. In the real world, however, construction companies are focused on maximizing profits. This means that timelines must be followed and deadlines must be met. Sometimes in all the haste, safety protocol and procedures are ignored. The New York Courts have taken an interesting perspective on the harm caused by falling objects on a job site. In Runner v. N.Y. Stock Exch., Inc., 13 N.Y.3d 599, 604, 895 N.Y.S.2d 279, 282 (2009), the Court of Appeals turns the focus of whether “..the harm flows directly from the application of the force of gravity to the object.” Under these guidelines, actually being struck by the object may not even be a prerequisite to a cause of action.
Labor Law Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, please call The Law Firm of Vaughn & Weber, PLLC at (516) 858-2620 to speak with a Labor Law attorney today!
