Binghamton Construction Accident Lawyer

New York is famous for its tall buildings and beautiful architecture. However, behind those tall buildings is a dangerous industry. Severe injuries resulting from construction accidents are all too common nowadays. Fortunately, injured victims may be eligible to recover compensation through third-party claims in addition to workers’ compensation insurance policies. A Binghamton construction accident lawyer at Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP can help.

Common Construction Accidents                                              

Construction workers can suffer injuries in any of the following accidents:

• Falling objects
• Falling from ladders or cranes
• Electrocution from faulty wiring
• Misuse or malfunctioning of equipment
• Health hazards (e.g., asbestos exposure)

How can I pay my medical bills?

Suffering a serious work injury can be scary, but fortunately, construction workers have options to recover compensation for expenses from doctor’s visits and lost wages. 

Workers’ Compensation

If you are injured on the job, you will likely be able to recover compensation under your employer’s workers’ compensation policy. Workers’ compensation will cover:

• Necessary medical care
• 2/3 of your average weekly wage (e.g., if you made $500 a week, you would receive $330 in cash benefits each week.)
• Supplemental benefits

If a worker dies on the job, his family will be eligible to receive death benefits.

While these benefits certainly help ends meet, sometimes they just are not enough. If this is the case, you may have another option.

Third-Party Lawsuits

Workers may be able to file a third-party claim if someone other than an employer or co-worker caused the accident. Parties you may be able to hold liable include:

• Construction site owner
• Other general contractors on-site
• Sub-contractors
• Design professionals and engineers
• Equipment manufacturers

Construction Site Owner or Landowner

Generally, victims can hold a landowner liable for injury resulting from harmful land conditions that the landowner knew about or should have known about. This likely will not apply to any dangerous conditions that should have been obvious to the worker.

General and Sub-Contractors

If another contractor from another firm caused your injury, you may be able to file a claim against the contractor or his employer.

Architects or Engineers

You may be able to hold an architect responsible if his incorrect design made the structure unstable.

You may be able to hold an engineer responsible if a product he created fails due to a defect (e.g., you are riding in the service elevator when the cord snaps causing the elevator to collapse and you to sustain serious injury).

Manufacturers

Workers who suffer an injury while using defective equipment may be able to hold the manufacturer or seller of the product liable for any injuries.

Experienced Binghamton Construction Accident Attorney

What can I recover?

Workplace injuries often result in severe physical, mental, and financial difficulties. The injury itself might require surgery, physical therapy, treatment, and countless hospital visits. Additionally, those who have been injured on the job may not be able to return to work right away and therefore cannot earn a living to pay for their medical costs.

If your third-party claim is successful, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• And more

Third-party claims can be complicated. Let a Binghamton construction accident attorney at Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP help.