Ladder Accident Attorneys In New York - Construction Accidents Involving A Ladder Fall

Did You Fall From A Ladder On A Construction Site? 

After a serious fall, from a ladder, scaffolding, or another piece of equipment that allows access to high positions, NYC’s workers deserve thorough, aggressive legal counsel. You may have questions you need to be answered such as: 

• How will I cover medical expenses from my accident? 
• Do I qualify for workers' compensation? 
• What type of attorney would I need to contact? 

Our New York construction accident attorneys are prepared to seek maximum compensation – money for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our legal team by either filling out the form on this page or calling our law office. 

NYC Construction Fall Accident Lawyers

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) consistently ranks falls as the most common, and most serious, construction site accidents. More than any other falls, those off ladders can have devastating consequences. In 2012 alone, 279 American construction workers lost their lives in fatal falls. As you would expect, construction falls from scaffolding are particularly damaging. But falls from all manner of ladders can leave New York City’s construction workers injured, missing work, and with few options.

New York City Law Firm Is Here For Construction Workers

For decades, the experienced construction accident lawyers at Banville Law have protected New York City’s injured construction workers. New York City recognizes the dangers that construction workers face on a daily basis. In line with OSHA’s findings, NYC has instituted a separate regulation protecting workers who use ladders and scaffolding. As those most at risk, workers who must climb high on buildings require separate protections.

When any building or structure is built or modified, New York State’s Statute Section 240 (“the Scaffold Law”) applies to “all contractors and owners and their agents” to erect:

• Scaffolding
• Hoists
• Stays
• Ladders
• Slings
• Hangers
• Blocks
• Pulleys
• Braces
• Irons
• Ropes

These devices are meant to allow construction workers access to all parts of a building, not just the ground floor. But this equipment must be maintained safely, providing ample precautions against falls from scaffolding or ladders. In fact, even if all the necessary safety precautions are taken, your employer can still be held negligent for your construction site fall accident because Section 240 and 241 of the Labor Laws have been interpreted by the New York Courts as a strict liability law.

Our Construction Accident Lawyers Serve:

• NYC construction accident lawyers
• Woodbury, Long Island NY construction accident lawyers
• Mount Vernon construction accident lawyers
• White Plains construction accident lawyers

Legal Construction Fall Safety Precautions

The New York City Scaffold Law’s definition of “strict liability” means that employers can be held negligent for your construction fall no matter the cause. In addition, Section 240 outlines a number of safety precautions that must be taken to protect those working at heights.

• “Scaffolding or staging more than twenty feet from the ground or floor, swung or suspended from overhead support or erected with stationary supports shall have a safety rail of suitable material properly attached, bolted, braced or otherwise secured”
• “All scaffolding shall be so constructed as to bear four times the maximum weight required”

Did you fall from a scaffold that had no railing? Was a scaffold unable to support your weight? You were most likely working in unsafe conditions and someone should be held responsible for your injuries.

Common Causes Of Ladder Falls

After years of research, OSHA has released an account of the most common causes of falls on construction sites in New York City:

• Unsafe Portable Ladders – portable ladders must be positioned safely on an even surface. Falls from ladders can result in everything from a light sprain to death.
• Uncapped Rebars – the ends of steel rebars, so common on New York City’s construction sites, must be capped. In some tragic construction accidents, workers have fallen and been impaled such as the accident which occurred in Manhattan in January 2016. A construction worker fell and was impaled on 3 separate pieces of uncapped rebar.
• Holes In Floors & Walls – before buildings near completion, most walls and floors will be little more than a network of boards. Many construction workers fall through holes in the floor, seriously injuring themselves. Construction sites must use guardrails and safety nets to protect the lives of workers.

Compensation May Be Possible

Injured in a fall accident on a construction site in New York City? The state has put legal protections in place to protect you! Our lawyers may be able to help you file a personal injury lawsuit and secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

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