Strong Advocacy After A Construction Accident

After suffering an on-the-job construction accident, you may assume that workers’ compensation is your only recovery option. If your injury was caused by the negligence of someone other than your employer, however, you may be able to pursue damages through a third-party claim.

At Palillo Law, our attorneys have more than 40 years of experience pursuing and recovering compensation for injury victims. Third-party accidents are extremely confusing, and when they happen in construction projects, you are often left with far more questions than answers. Let our team’s experience and passion for justice work for you.

Maximize Recovery Options

A serious injury can cause lasting financial harm. Workers’ compensation benefits cover your medical bills and a portion of your lost wages, but the benefits may not be enough to cover all your accident-related expenses. By agreeing to accept workers’ compensation benefits, you forfeit your right to file a claim against your employer, but you can still file a claim against a liable third party.

A third-party claim can be important to your ongoing financial well-being. It allows you to pursue damages that accurately reflect your true losses, including pain and suffering.

Who Is Responsible?

The construction industry is unique in that many parties, not just your employer, are responsible for your safety. To have a valid third-party claim, you must prove that your injury occurred within the scope of your employment and that another party contributed to your accident.

Negligent third parties could include:

• A heavy equipment manufacturer that failed to provide appropriate safety warnings
• A motorist who struck a construction worker
• A ladder company that made a defective product
• A janitorial company that failed to indicate or tend to a slippery floor
• An architect or engineer whose faulty design caused a building collapse

Answers You Deserve About Construction Accidents

The first thing almost everyone suffering form a construction accident has is questions. They will rarely have the certainty or confidence to know where to turn, but that’s why we’re here. Your questions and confusion are normal, and we will work hard to clarify what’s ahead for you.

What is third-party liability in construction?

Third-party liability is when the responsibility for your accident cannot be placed on your direct employer or the owner of the property. It would fall with a vendor or other visitor to the site that wouldn’t directly fall under a workers’ compensation claim.

A third-party case will require use of the standard tort and personal injury system to recover the necessary damages. This makes the process a considerable challenge, but it is not an impossible one to overcome.

What is the most common type of construction accident?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls are by far the most common type of construction accident. This makes sense, since construction workers are often on unfished stairways, flooring and other places with incomplete, or obstructed, walkways. The hazards of these falls is also compounded by the fact that a considerable number of the falls are to different levels, meaning falls from one floor to the next or further.

Falls come with a host of minor, major and even fatal injuries.

How long after an accident can you sue in New York?

The statute of limitations for accidents of all types in New York is three years. However, there are complications to this time limit, which can include municipal liability, which can decrease the statute of limitations significantly.

Missing a necessary deadline is a devastating outcome for any case and it can lead to a serious financial situation. Which is why contacting us early is the smart move. We can keep track of these deadlines and make sure we get your filing in, early and accurately. Let us protect your future.

Contact Us To Learn More

The losses you and your family suffer after a construction accident often amount to much more than lost wages. End the financial strain by scheduling a free consultation with a lawyer at our New York City office. Call us at 917-920-6601 or reach us via email to arrange your appointment today.