In the city of New York, there is construction almost everywhere you turn. On a daily basis, construction workers put themselves in potentially hazardous situations. A common danger can include scaffolding, a structure made of wood planks and metal poles. If these are not made and taken care of correctly, they can cause life-changing accidents. These situations often lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial damages, which is why compensation can be recovered. When facing these situations, it is important to retain the services of an experienced New York personal injury attorney for assistance.
How Can a Scaffolding Accident Happen?
Generally, scaffolding accidents occur as a result of one party’s negligence. This may be the result of a company’s failure to follow the guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These mandatory standards must be followed to ensure the safety of employees in the workplace. This involves a worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training. If these are not done, it can result in scaffolds missing overhead protection, a lack of functioning brakes, pulleys, defective fall safety systems, insufficient manufacturing or maintenance, scaffolds not being properly secured, and more.
How Can I Sue After a Scaffolding Accident?
After an accident, an injured victim often wants to pursue legal action so that they may recover compensation for the damages they incurred as a result. In order to do so, the evidence must be gathered that proves negligence took place. This must show that the negligent party breached their duty of care and directly caused the injuries. Generally speaking, these cases are against a third-party lawsuit. This means that the construction worker does not directly sue their employer, but an indirect party who did not provide them with proper safety
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
When pursuing legal action, it is important to remember that there is a statute of limitations. This is a deadline the injured party is required to meet when filing a personal injury claim. In New York, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. If the injured party fails to meet this deadline, they can lose their chance to sue and recover compensation.
Contact our Firm
The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. We understand the implications of a serious accident, which is why we take pride in tenaciously representing our clients. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation.
