With limited space in New York City, every new building that goes up requires the demolition of the old. However, demolition requires careful planning and poses many risks for workers. If you have been injured in a demolition accident, you deserve fair compensation for the harm you have suffered. An experienced New York demolition accidents lawyer can help.
Goidel & Siegel, LLP has more than 30 years of experience representing injured construction workers and their families. We are committed to pursuing every avenue for compensation. Call our law office for a free consultation so we can help you fight back against the insurance companies.
A controlled demolition is always risky. Even with the best planning, there are many unknowns that can make a demolition dangerous. There may be modifications, potentially unapproved, that affect the building’s design. Sometimes there are structural design changes that are unknown. The structural integrity of the building and materials may be unknown.
When explosives are not handled properly, injuries can result. These accidents may involve poor placement of explosives, premature detonation, or failing to make sure the area is clear.
Demolition can release toxic chemicals, particularly when an older structure is destroyed. The structure may contain lead, asbestos, heavy metals, and silica that are released. This can cause occupational illness in exposed workers.
This is one of the leading causes of injuries on construction sites. Debris can come in many forms especially at a demolition site including:
Even a demolition that goes according to plan can pose risks. An explosion that shakes the ground can cause construction workers to fall from roofs, ladders, or scaffolding. Materials in other buildings affected by the blast can cause injuries. A demolition can even trigger a fire that spreads. It is not only workers on the actual demolition site who may be hurt.
Demolition accidents usually cause injuries to tradespeople like specialized contractors, demolition specialists, architects, and engineers.
Inherently, demolition sites are dangerous not only for the workers, but also for everyone around and injuries are not uncommon. Some of the most common injuries suffered at and around demolition sites include:
If you’ve been injured in a demolition accident, call our New York demolition accident attorneys today.
After a demolition accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation from many avenues, not just workers’ compensation.
New York workers’ compensation allows you to recover the following:
Workers’ compensation has many limitations and workers are rarely compensated fully for their losses, especially after a catastrophic injury or lifelong occupational illness. You cannot recover money for personal losses like pain and suffering and there are caps on wage and disability benefits.
You may be eligible for additional compensation through a third-party claim. If a third party’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for additional losses. Parties who may share liability include demolition companies, subcontractors, architects, and more.
Under New York Labor Law, owners and general contractors can be held strictly liable for certain construction injuries caused by safety violations. The following labor laws protect construction workers and allow them to pursue compensation beyond workers’ compensation:
Note that labor law claims are separate from workers’ compensation. These claims do not affect the benefits you receive from workers’ comp. Your New York demolition accident lawyer will help you pursue all avenues for compensation that are available to you.
If you have suffered serious injury or illness from a demolition accident, Goidel & Siegel is prepared to fight on your behalf. The insurance companies are not on your side, but we are. Our law firm has more than 30 years of experience handling all types of complex construction accident cases involving workers’ comp, labor law violations, and third-party negligence.
Call our law firm today at (929) 593-2024 for a free consultation with our New York demolition accidents lawyers. Our multilingual trial lawyers can meet you anywhere you are comfortable to discuss your case.
56 W. 45th Street 3rd Floor New York, NY 10036
