Scaffolding Accidents

Need Help After A Scaffold Accident In New York City?

Each year construction workers are injured in accidents involving scaffolding. An expert construction accident attorney or scaffold accident lawyer is vital for analyzing and prosecuting a New York scaffold accident and obtaining maximum compensation.

Contact our team at (212) 222-1111 for your free case evaluation.

New York Labor Law 240 is sometimes called the scaffold law even though it applies to gravity-related incidents at construction sites and covers different types of NYC construction work. Scaffolding injuries are just one type of covered activity under Labor Law 240, a statute intended to protect the injured construction worker. The NY Labor Law applies to elevation-related worker falls as well as falling objects being hoisted or secured at construction sites. It makes the property owner and general contractor absolutely liable for violations. An NYC construction accident attorney experienced in this law can help seriously injured workers and their families.

Types of Scaffolds

Steel Scaffolds

Steel scaffolding may be erected alongside a structure while under construction. Correct placement and locking of scaffold connections are very important. Each upright of the scaffold should have a firm footing such as a metal plate. A common mistake that leads to accidents on scaffolds is when the construction company does not use toe boards and guard rails on a scaffold which endangers workers making them more likely to fall off a scaffold.

Common accidents involved in these types of scaffolds include an attempt to move the rolling scaffold by pulling on an overhead structure. Failure to remove all materials and equipment prior to moving a Baker or rolling scaffold may also result in injuries as materials may fall off the scaffold injuring workers. A failure to engage a wheel lock on a rolling scaffold while in use can also result in injuries.

Wood Scaffolds

Accidents on wooden scaffolds may involve placing a 2×4 wood piece horizontally and using it as a work surface. Other issues include failure to check whether the weight of construction materials and workers will be supported by the wooden scaffold being used. A failure to use proper footings or cross bracing may lead to accidents.

Scaffold Inspections

• Daily inspections of scaffolds by the general contractor or construction project manager should be conducted.
• No debris or tools should be left on a scaffold after the workday is finished.
• A change or alteration to a scaffold should be approved by the construction project manager.
• Working surfaces of the scaffold must be free of snow, ice, and other slippery substances.
• Working surfaces of the scaffold should be surrounded by guard rails to protect workers from falling.

Typical Scaffolding Accidents in NYC

• Using a ladder or scaffold for improper tasks is better suited for other construction equipment/tools
• Improper installation or placement of ladder/scaffold which may lead to failure or collapse
• Exceeding the weight limit for the ladder/scaffold
• Jumping or other impermissible activity on a ladder/scaffold may cause the ladder/scaffold to fail and collapse
• If constructed with poor or defective equipment, a ladder/scaffold may give way or collapse
• Using an old or defective ladder/scaffold with missing nuts, bolts, and or screws or with loose legs
• Placing a ladder on an uneven or dangerous surface
• Failure to properly secure a ladder
• Negligent or unskilled erection of a scaffold by an individual without proper training
• Failure to safeguard other construction dangers when working on a ladder/scaffold such as electrocution when working near electricity; hazardous chemicals; and or falling objects

Scaffolding is one of the most valuable tools on a construction site, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. Every year, hundreds of New York construction workers sustain injuries in accidents involving scaffolding. In fact, falls are so commonplace in the construction industry that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has dubbed it the leader of the “Fatal Four.”

Unfortunately, many scaffolding accidents in New York City are the result of negligence. These units must follow proper installation, maintenance, and supervision guidelines. When vendors, supervisors, and contractors fail to install or maintain scaffolding, they may be liable for worker injuries. Know your legal options after a scaffolding accident – and when to contact an attorney.

What to Do After a Scaffolding Accident

Scaffolding accidents can lead to serious and even permanently disabling injuries. Victims of scaffolding accidents often find that workers’ compensation claims cannot adequately address their lost wages, pain, and suffering. As a result, they may struggle to provide for their families and make ends meet. If you’ve been in a scaffolding accident, take the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Getting appropriate medical care serves two purposes: it helps you back on the road to recovery, and it provides an official record of your injuries. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and keep your follow-up appointments.
• File a workers’ compensation claim. While it won’t fully cover your lost wages, it will pay for your medical care and give you some money while a personal injury case is pending.
• Contact Frekhtman & Associates for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys help the hard-working construction professionals in New York City gain compensation for their injuries, pain, and suffering. Our dedication is evident in our prior work. Talk to us about how we can help you.

Common Injuries After a Scaffold Accident include:

– fractures and broken bones

– back and spinal cord injuries from milder injuries like a bulging disc or herniated disc to serious and life-altering injuries such as paraplegia or quadriplegia

– other catastrophic injuries

– traumatic brain injury (TBI)

– wrongful death 

What to Do After a Scaffolding Accident

Scaffolding accidents can lead to serious and even permanently disabling injuries. Victims of scaffolding collapse often find that workers’ compensation benefits cannot adequately address their lost wages, pain, and suffering. As a result, they may struggle to provide for their families and make ends meet. A personal injury claim is necessary for addition to workers’ compensation. An experienced scaffolding accident lawyer can be a tremendous resource. If you’ve been in a scaffolding accident, take the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention after a scaffold injury. Getting appropriate medical care serves two purposes: it helps you back on the road to recovery, and it provides an official record of your injuries. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and keep your follow-up appointments.
• File a workers’ compensation claim. While it won’t fully cover your lost wages, it will pay for your medical care and give you some money while a personal injury case is pending. Workers’ comp pays for injured workers’ lost salary due to missed time from employment and medical bills & medical expenses. A worker’s compensation attorney will streamline the payment of benefits via this administrative system.
• Contact Frekhtman & Associates for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys help the hard-working construction professionals in New York City gain compensation for their injuries, lost wages, medical care, pain, and suffering. The work our law firm does leads to scaffold safety with contractors using proper safety equipment. Our dedication is evident in our prior work. Accident victims should not suffer in silence. Talk to us about how our law office can help you.

Third-Party Liability Claims

There are several parties that might be responsible for your scaffolding accident. Examples include:

• The party negligently installed it.
• The manufacturer of the equipment, if it was defective.
• The general contractor or building owner, in cases of negligent supervision.

At Frekhtman & Associates, we conduct a thorough investigation into your injuries and determine the responsible party or parties before filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you sustained injuries in a new york city construction site incident or a scaffolding accident and think you may have grounds for a third-party liability claim, please contact a construction accident lawyer to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a ladder accident, scaffold accident, or other construction site accident, contact the attorneys at Frekhtman & Associates for a free consultation. With offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, our personal injury law firm practices throughout NYC and surrounding areas including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam County, Dutchess County, Sullivan County, Orange County, and Rockland County.

We handle every case free of charge and pay all the expenses including court costs and expert fees. At the conclusion of the case, if we recover monetary compensation for you as compensation for your NYC construction accident, we charge a percentage set by the New York Court system as our legal fee. Call our experienced lawyers at (212) 222-1111 or (866) ATTY – LAW and speak to a real person live 24/7 or contact us online by filling out the form on our homepage.

The representation of individuals who were seriously or catastrophically injured as a result of negligence is one of the most rewarding fields of law that we have the privilege to practice. Our NYC construction accident attorneys and support staff love what we do. We work hard and dedicate ourselves to achieving the best possible compensation for our clients.

Contact our team today at(212) 222-1111 to discuss your case with our skilled and experienced scaffolding accident attorneys in New York City.