Construction Accident Attorney in Buffalo
We fight for the rights of injured construction workers
Construction workers in Buffalo and throughout Western New York put their safety on the line every day. A construction accident can have dramatic effects on your health and your future, making it difficult to work and leaving you in intense pain. You may not be sure what to do next. An experienced construction accident lawyer can help.
The Law Offices of James Morris has the experience and resources to get meaningful results for injured Buffalo construction workers. Even though you were hurt on the job, you may have more legal options than simply filing a workers’ compensation claim. We can explore your legal options and explain the value of your case in a free case evaluation.
What is a third-party construction accident claim?
In New York, if you’re hurt on the job, you usually can’t sue your employer, even if the injury was their fault. You get workers’ compensation instead. However, this protection only applies to your direct employer. If a third party, such as another business, was involved in your injury, then you can file a personal injury claim against them. This type of claim is known as a third-party claim.
Third-party claims are not unique to construction accidents, but they are particularly common in the construction field because there are usually many businesses working at the same site. You might have a third-party claim against a:
- Property owner
- General contractor
- Subcontractor
- Architect
- Engineer
- Equipment manufacturer
Depending on the circumstances, there may be other third parties as well. For example, if you were hit by a car at a road work site, you have the same rights as anyone else injured in a car accident.
You might think you don’t need to file a third-party claim if your injuries are covered by workers’ compensation anyway. But a third-party personal injury lawsuit can provide compensation for losses that workers’ comp doesn’t cover, such as pain and suffering or excess wage loss. Depending on the circumstances, this can make a dramatic difference in the value of your case. That’s why it’s important to talk to an experienced construction accident lawyer who can explain all your legal options.
New York Labor Law 240 claims
Labor Law 240, also known as the “Scaffold Law,” requires construction site owners and contractors to provide safety measures to protect workers from gravity-related hazards – that is, falling from height and being struck by falling objects. The law puts absolute, non-delegable liability for fall safety on property owners (except owners of one- and two-family homes) and general contractors, meaning they cannot delegate this responsibility to a subcontractor. Falls from heights are among the leading causes of death and disabling injury on construction sites, and New York Labor Law 240 holds site owners and managers to a high standard to protect workers.
Although it’s commonly called the “Scaffold Law,” Labor Law 240 applies to all kinds of gravity-related accidents, whether or not they involve scaffolding. Falls off roofs, building collapses, and even falls down elevator shafts are included in Labor Law 240 claims.
In a Labor Law 240 case, you must prove that the owner or general contractor failed to meet safety requirements and that this failure led to your injury. These cases require in-depth investigation to prove which elements of the law were violated. We know how to investigate Labor Law 240 claims and build strong cases that get full compensation for injured workers.
Schedule your free consultation with a Buffalo construction accident attorney
Construction accident claims can be complex, and in the chaotic environment of a construction site, evidence can be hard to find. Construction companies and their insurance companies fight hard to pay injured workers as little as possible. That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side to launch an immediate investigation and start building your case for full compensation.
We represent injured construction workers on contingency, which means you don’t pay us unless and until we win your case. In other words, you can afford a lawyer, even if you’re out of work and have no income coming in. What you can’t afford is to go it alone. We will level the playing field and deal with the insurance company while you focus on getting better.
Take immediate action after a construction accident in Buffalo. Give us a call or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Buffalo construction accident lawyer at the Law Offices of James Morris.