Accident Lawyers

in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Nassau County & Suffolk County

 

Work-related Accidents

 

When you are a construction worker, accidents on the job often mean high medical bills, lost wages and in some cases, permanent disability. Those who are able to return to work may fear losing their jobs if they seek compensation. Although there are laws in place to ensure workplace safety, work-related injuries are not uncommon, particularly in the construction industry.

 

If you have been injured in a work-related accident, you have two possible avenues of compensation: workers' compensation and a personal injury lawsuit. In all cases, you should pursue workers' compensation. In most cases, you should pursue both.

 

In order to preserve your legal rights, you should take the following actions as soon as possible after a work-related accident:

 

• Report the accident to your employer. If possible report the accident in writing and keep a copy of the report. If you must report the accident verbally, write down the name and position of the person you notified.

 

• Complete a workers' compensation claim form. When you report the accident (or when someone else reports it). Your employer is required to provide you with the claim form. Keep a copy of the completed form.

 

• Obtain the names and contact information of any and all potential witnesses.

 

• Take photos of the scene of the accident and any injuries.

 

• Seek medical attention for your injuries, even if they seem minor at the time. You may be in shock and have injuries that are not readily apparent.

 

• Contact an experienced premises liability lawyer. You may be facing a very complex case involving multiple responsible parties and insurance companies. You need a good attorney on your side.

 

• File a workers' compensation claim. The sooner you file your claim the sooner you may start receiving benefits. You may be entitled to partial compensation for wages lost during your recovery.

 

Workers' Compensation
Employers are required by law to carry workers' compensation insurance. When you file a workers' compensation claim you are not suing your employer, you are filing an insurance claim. Workers' compensation benefits to which you may be entitled include:

 

• Current and future medical bills (you may be required to use a specified doctor during the first 30 days of treatment)
• Temporary disability - partially replaces wages lost during your recovery, if you are able to return to your original job
• Vocational rehabilitation - assistance in finding a new job if your injuries prevent you from returning to your original job and partial replacement of lost wages during the interim
• Permanent disability - replaces future lost wages if you are unable to reasonably return to work after your injuries

 

Personal Injury Lawsuit
In addition to workers' compensation, it may be appropriate to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Lawsuits spawned by work-related accidents can be very complex. Determining responsibility can depend on many factors involved in the accident, including hazardous practices, worksite hazards, faulty design, faulty equipment, poor hiring practices or poor supervision of employees. Responsible parties can include one or more of the following:

 

• General contractors
• Sub-contractors
• Prime contractors
• Construction site owners
• Engineers
• Architects
• Equipment manufacturers

 

For information on Scaffold Accidents, click here.

 

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a construction accident in New York, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, please contact the premises liability lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos. Our firm proudly serves clients in New York with case evaluation at no cost, including those in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk.

 

 

Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C.
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1.877. ASK 4 SAM