Construction Companies Have a Duty to Uphold Safety Regulations

Conditions are continuously changing on construction sites. Employees, inspectors, and subcontractors must navigate these changing and hazardous conditions, all while trying to ensure the successful completion of the project and avoid a costly mistake. If construction companies fail to follow OSHA-mandates and other safety regulations, workers can become seriously injured or die.

Construction companies must ensure workers wear proper safety equipment, maintain appropriate scaffolding and guardrails, and warn of hazardous chemicals on site. The Occupation Safety and Health Act of 1970 also maintains that employers owe general duties that include:

• Providing a workplace free of hazards that can result in injury or death
• Ensuring that employees have access to equipment that can prevent injury or death
• Ensuring all practices of one’s own construction company are in compliance with standards of the construction industry

Multiple Parties May Be Liable For A Construction Accident

Since these kinds of accidents can arise from various factors, different parties may be liable. Parties who could potentially be legally responsible for occupational injuries and the subsequent medical costs include:

• Construction Companies
• General, sub and prime contractors
• Property Owners
• Architects
• Engineers
• Insurance companies

In many cases, workers can recover damages for their injuries.

In many cases, workers can recover damages for their injuries from partially or completely responsible parties, even if they are not their employer. If a worker is hurt due to factors other than job safety, such as defective tools or equipment, the injured worker may be able to file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer. The responsible party may be held liable for damages, including medical bills, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

It is imperative that you collect as much information as you can about the accident to determine the legally responsible party. The longer you wait to contact a New York construction accident lawyer, the harder it is to piece the events together. The lawyers at Grauman Law have a track record of success in maximizing injured workers’ recovery compensation.

What can I do to protect my rights?

If you have been injured as a result of an accident at a construction site, there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and your legal rights:

• Get medical attention for your injuries.
• Report the injury to your employer and/or construction site manager, and note the name and position of the person notified.
• Get the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident.
• If possible, try to preserve any evidence related to your injury by taking photographs of the area where you were injured (and the injuries themselves) and keeping the equipment or tool that was involved in your injury.

The New York construction injury attorneys at Grauman Law have the experience to understand the complexity of these types of cases and the number of potential liable parties. Contact us as soon as possible so that we can help you to protect yourself and your legal rights.