Scaffolding is widely used on construction sites across New York City. Despite strict regulations about how scaffolds must be erected, secured, and used, workers are injured and killed in scaffolding accidents quite often. If you’ve been injured in a scaffolding accident in New York City, New York, the experienced construction accident attorneys at The Platta Law Firm can help you seek the compensation you need as you move forward.
The Platta Law Firm is an award-winning personal injury law firm and leader in construction accident litigation in New York. Collectively, our top-rated NYC scaffolding accident lawyers have over 150 years of experience handling complex cases like yours. We strive to make a difference in the lives of the workers we represent, and our results are a testament to the representation we provide. We’ve won hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. Now, we’re ready to help you get the maximum financial recovery you deserve, too.
Contact our law office in New York City at 212-514-5100 to arrange a free consultation today. We’re always available to take your call – 24 hours a day.
The Platta Law Firm Can Make a Difference After a Scaffolding Accident in NYC, NY
Hiring an attorney is a smart choice after you’ve been injured or lost a family member in a scaffolding accident. It can level the playing field and even give you the edge against tough adversaries, including insurance companies, property owners, employers, manufacturers, and general contractors.
Your choice of construction accident attorney matters, which is why The Platta Law Firm should be your first call.
- Our case results have shaped construction laws in New York and expanded the rights afforded to construction workers across the city.
- Our law firm has won hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients and grieving families in NYC.
- We won the largest construction accident verdict in 2022, securing $48 million for our client.
- Our attorneys have received some of the highest awards in the legal field, earning recognition from Super Lawyers, the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and Lawyers of Distinction.
- Clients benefit from customized strategies and compassionate, trustworthy legal representation.
- Our award-winning New York litigators have more than 150 years of combined experience.
The Platta Law Firm is the difference maker you need in your corner when you’ve been injured on a NYC construction site. You don’t have to take our word for it. Countless Google and Facebook reviews highlight the benefits of hiring our passionate litigators. We offer a free case evaluation. Contact our law office in the heart of New York City to schedule yours.
Scaffolding Accident Statistics
Two-thirds of construction laborers work on scaffolds, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Unfortunately, for those workers, scaffolding accidents are incredibly common. Nationally, roughly 4,500 workers are injured in scaffolding accidents every year.
Another 50 workers are killed in scaffolding-related accidents. New York City has its fair share of scaffolding accidents. According to the NYC Department of Buildings, at least 15 scaffolding accidents were reported across the five boroughs in 2021. That’s more than one scaffolding accident a month.
What Causes Most Scaffolding Accidents in New York?
Scaffolding is a temporary structure, typically built with wooden planks and metal poles, that elevates construction workers off the ground. They’re commonly seen on job sites in NYC, especially on high-rise projects. When workers are elevated, the risk of falling and suffering catastrophic injuries increases significantly. Some of the most common causes of scaffolding accidents include:
- Scaffolding support/planking failure
- Slips and falls
- Struck by a falling object
- Scaffolding collapse
- Insufficient fall prevention devices
- Electrocution
- Overloaded scaffolding
- Missing or broken guard rails
Inadequate scaffolding safety training can be a major contributor to scaffolding accidents. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one out of four construction workers injured in a scaffold-related accident had no safety training about how to assemble, install, and inspect scaffolding.
Understanding New York’s Scaffolding Law
Scaffolds are so common on New York construction sites that the state took steps to ensure that the structures are built, maintained, and used properly. Section 240 of the New York Labor Code, known as the Scaffolding Law, imposes an absolute duty on property owners and general contractors to ensure that scaffolding is erected properly,
and that workers are equipped with all necessary safety equipment before working on the structures. The Scaffolding Law essentially expands the rights afforded to construction workers in New York. This includes laborers involved in repairing, altering, painting, cleaning, pointing, and/or erecting a building or structure while using a scaffold system. If a property owner or general contractor doesn’t take their responsibility seriously and a worker is injured in a scaffolding accident, they can be liable for resulting damages.
What Compensation Can I Get if I’ve Been Injured in a New York Scaffolding Accident?
Construction workers have two potential paths for recovering compensation if they’re injured in a scaffolding accident in NYC: workers’ compensation and a personal injury lawsuit.
Workers’ Compensation
Virtually all construction workers in New York City are covered by workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a private insurance policy purchased by employers to cover costs related to an employee’s injury. Benefits can include money for reasonable medical expenses, temporary lost wages, and disability. Typically, you can recover about two-thirds of your lost income through a workers’ compensation claim.
Scaffolding Accident Lawsuit
New York has special laws that extend extra protections to construction workers who are injured on the job. These laws sometimes permit workers to sue their employers, as well as other parties whose negligence contributes to scaffolding accidents. In a scaffolding accident lawsuit, available damages can include money for:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing care
- Emotional distress
Punitive damages can also be awarded if there’s evidence of a defendant’s intentionally harmful misconduct or reckless disregard for a worker’s safety.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Scaffolding Injury Claim in New York?
You will have a limited time to pursue compensation after you’re injured in a NYC scaffolding accident.
- Claims for workers’ compensation must be filed within two years of the date of injury.
- Civil scaffolding accident lawsuits are subject to a three-year statute of limitations.
- Wrongful death cases related to fatal scaffolding accidents must be filed within two years of a victim’s death.
The opportunity to file a legal claim is forfeited once the applicable statute of limitations expires.
Trusted NYC Scaffolding Accident Lawyers Ready to Fight for You
As a construction worker in New York City, you have rights. If you’re injured in a scaffolding accident, call The Platta Law Firm at 212-514-5100 and explore your legal options. You may have the right to recover benefits from your employer’s workers’ compensation policy and/or pursue damages in a civil lawsuit.
Our New York scaffolding accident lawyers can help you maximize your recovery. Put a trusted team of New York litigators with 150 years of collective experience on the case. We represent scaffolding accident victims in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, and surrounding NYC metro areas. Reach out to schedule a free consultation today.
