Brooklyn Personal Injury Lawyers: Blame Who in Construction Accidents?
Is 2015 shaping up to be the most fatal year in terms of construction accidents in New York City? It may be so, especially with the reports coming out of concerned agencies. The Department of Buildings, for instance, has noted that at least seven people have died in construction accidents in the city within the first four months of 2015 (there were only 8 in total in 2014).
The number of deaths may seem small, but the total instances of accidents and injuries are far larger. Data from the same agency shows that from July 2013 to December 2014 (2 fiscal years), 336 people were injured in NYC construction accidents. Construction workers and pedestrians alike are included in this number.
Have you been injured or has your loved one perished in a construction accident? Make sure you determine who should be accountable for the damages, so you can take action rightfully and seek compensation. Consulting Brooklyn personal injury lawyers, you could be advised to file a legal complaint against any of the following:
The Employer
Direct employers are ultimately responsible for keeping workers and pedestrians safe, which means that when accidents happen, they are almost always at fault (fully or partly). Employees don’t normally sue their boss. Instead, they file a worker’s compensation claim. However, there may be special cases where a personal injury lawsuit may be appropriate. Pedestrians, on the other hand, can file a complaint against the construction company.
The Owner/Manager of the Construction Site
The owner or manager of the property where the accident happened could also be to blame, especially if there was negligence on their part in keeping the building or roadway safe. Aside from private entities, the state can also be sued if the construction accident happened in public grounds.
The Worker or Coworker
When you or your loved one got injured because of a specific construction worker or a fellow employee, you can sue that person directly.
The Manufacturer or Seller of a Defective Equipment or Product
In some cases, a defective equipment or product may be the cause of the accident. If the manufacturer or distributor failed to note the hazards that their product may have, they could be sued.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Brooklyn, such as The Law Offices of Joseph Lichtenstein, can help you determine who should really be blamed for the construction accident. You certainly need legal advice and representation during settlement arrangements and court litigations. Even if you will be going up against a huge company, your lawyer will make sure you have the evidence and other resources you need to fight for your right to just compensation.
(Source: Capital Data: Construction injuries in New York City, Capital, April 8, 2015)