Construction Accident Lawyers in New York City at Shim Law Group
Like any other workplace, construction sites come with their unique challenges and dangers. New York construction workers find themselves in constant danger due to the very nature of their work. Due to the use of heavy machinery, high scaffolding, and other dangers, this particular industry is very risky. Suppose you get hurt in a construction accident.
In that case, Shim Law Group P.C. is here to obtain legal guidance to help you recover damages for medical expenses, work wages, and psychological distress.
Facts and Statistics About Construction Accidents
Statistically, construction is one of the most dangerous fields in America. The New York Division of The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 69 workplace deaths within the NYC area in 2023. Out of these, 24 were construction related which included falls and slip accidents, equipment use accidents, and electric shocks.
As stated by OSHA, construction workers only make up about 6% of the total workforce in America, yet they make up roughly 20% of total workforce deaths. The “Fatal Four,” which includes falls, being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught in or between an object, accounts for over 60% of construction deaths.
Besides death, construction injuries across New York City carry a financial cost as well. Due to unsafe working environments, lack of safety equipment, or non-compliance with regulations, the annual number of construction workers injured exceeds thousands. The Center for Construction Research and Training reported:
- Falls account for roughly 33 percent of all construction-related deaths.
- Being struck by moving objects contributes to approximately 11 percent of fatal injuries.
- Electrocution accounts for nearly 8 percent of deaths on construction sites.
Caught-between accidents comprise roughly 5 percent of fatalities.
Common Causes of Construction Accidents
Construction site incidents occur because of:
- Falls from Heights: Workers on ladders or scaffolding who have no safety harness or gear to use.
- Equipment Breakdowns: Heavy machinery breakdowns occur because of adverse conditions and improper maintenance.
- Lack of Proper Training: Employees are dealing with unfamiliar tools and equipment due to a lack of training.
- Unstable Structures: Scaffolds, roofs, or other parts of buildings with weak construction.
Negligence: Not observing safety measures, which causes injuries or loss of life.
Common Construction Site Injuries
Common injuries resulting from construction accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): sustained from falling or heavy object collisions.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Causing permanent paralysis and/or long-term disability.
- Broken Bones: Fractures resulting from falls or machinery accidents.
- Internal Injuries: Harm caused to important body organs.
- Disabilities: Involve the loss of a portion of the body due to an accident with heavy machinery or being trapped by heavy objects.
Burns and Electrocution Injuries: Sustained from on-site electrical hazards.
New York Construction Safety Regulations and Laws
To protect all workers, New York created strict construction safety rules and regulations. Here we talk about some key regulations:
- NYC Building Code: It safeguards against unsafe construction techniques, unsafe practices, and improper building.
- OSHA Standards: Require safety measures for fall prevention, equipment, maintenance, training, and more.
- Labor Laws: Forbids the use of PPE, dictates hours of labor, and governs the use of machines.
Adverse effects of rules may include severe legal and financial consequences for construction companies.
Steps to Take if You Experience a Construction Accident
The following actions can assist a construction accident victim:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Specialized medical assistance similar to first aid should be provided.
- Report the Incident: Inform the supervisor and make a formal report.
- Document the Scene: Take pictures of the accident site, equipment, and those who are injured.
- Gather Witness Information: Gather the information of the witnesses immediately so the evidence is fresh.
- Contact a Lawyer: Contact a personal injury attorney provided by Shim Law with experience in construction accidents
How Shim Law Can Help with Your Construction Accident in New York
At Shim Law Group, we understand the effect a construction accident has on a person’s life. We are here to help you with all your legal burdens. To provide you with our best services, here’s how we can help:
1. Investigation and Evidence Collection
After receiving your case, we to begin an in-depth investigation of your case to uncover all factors. The Evidence Collection:
- Safety violation reports
- Surveillance footage from the job site
- Witness statements
- Site inspection and OSHA reports
- Employment records, training history, and incident documentation
- Specialized assessments related to equipment malfunctions, site hazards, or construction zone dangers
All gathered evidence will significantly increase your chances of getting awarded the claim.
2. Talking to Insurance and Third Parties That Are Involved
Insurance companies always want to reduce their payouts, and they can resort to tactics to outright deny claims. We:
- Take care of all correspondence with the insurance adjusting team.
- Protect clients from unjust claim denials or underpayment of claims.
- Defend the client’s interests against third-party claimants (subcontractors, property owners, or even equipment manufacturers)
- Guarantee all forms are submitted correctly and on time to prevent time-wasting.
Because of the unique characteristics of our firm, particularly its negotiating abilities, you are better placed to receive a full and fair settlement.
3. Representation in Complex Legal Matters
Because they can have more than one responsible person and legal complications. We can do the following:
- Pursue third-party injury claims
- Navigate New York Labor Laws 200, 240, 241
- Determine all possible responsible parties at multi-employer worksites.
- Litigate when settlement offers fall short.
4.Help With Medical Treatment and Recovery Support
We help you obtain the required medical treatment with proper documentation to substantiate your claim. Our team does the following:
- Linking you to relevant physicians and doctors
- Maintaining your medical documents
- Protecting your settlement from medical lien and billing issues.
Ensuring your medical recovery, besides optimizing the legal costs during the legal process, is our priority.
5.Maximizing Your Compensation
You deserve more than just your medical bills covered. We fight to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Vocational rehabilitation costs
- Wrongful death benefits (in fatal accident cases)
We don’t settle for less than you are entitled to.
6. Personalized, Aggressive Advocacy
Every construction accident case is unique. At Shim Law Group, we:
- Provide personalized guidance tailored to your case
- Keep you informed every step of the way
- Offer aggressive, client-first legal representation
- Charge no legal fees unless we win your case
We’re not just your attorneys, we’re your advocates, partners, and support system throughout your recovery journey.
Shim Law Will Fight For You
Our attorneys at Shim Law Group will “go to war” for you. At our firm, we take the worry out of dealing with the insurance companies and other defendants. So you can focus on healing from your injury. You only receive an attorney once your injuries have been compensated in full. You don’t pay us unless we win your case.
