I Was Injured Near a Construction Scaffold: What Are My Legal Options?
Over the summer, Mayor Adams announced a plan to get rid of New York City’s 400 miles of scaffolding. While it’s taking time to bring down these eyesores, the move to remove these aluminum and wood structures is welcome. These sidewalk sheds aren’t just unsightly, they can be dangerous to locals and tourists alike.
If you’ve been injured because of NYC scaffolding, you can turn to our law office between Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn for help. Our lawyers would like to consider some of the dangers of scaffolding, who is liable for these accidents, and how our legal team can help.
Different Types of Scaffolding Accidents
Scaffolding accidents can happen due to poor scaffold assembly, lack of upkeep or maintenance, weak wood and planking, and unsecured objects. Some of the most common types of scaffolding accidents we see include the following:
- Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents - The aluminum tubes or support footing of a scaffold may jut out onto the sidewalk or crosswalk. They can also create congested and narrow walkways on busy streets. This increases the chances of trips and falls.
- Head Injuries - If there are tools, buckets, or any construction equipment on a scaffold, these could come loose if not properly secured. Anyone below is at risk of a head injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Scaffolding Collapse - In the deadliest scenarios, scaffolding may be unsteady or poorly put together, which risks total failure. This endangers anyone around the scaffold, including bicyclists and motorists.
Dangers to Pedestrians and Construction Workers
The above types of accidents can affect pedestrians as well as construction workers. For workers who are on or around scaffolding, there is an added risk of fall injuries from the tops of these temporary structures.
Who Is Liable for Sidewalk Scaffolding Injuries?
Liability in scaffolding injuries depends on the nature of the accident.
In many cases, the construction company or property owner may be held liable for the scaffolding accident.
In the case of a work-related injury, New York’s Scaffold Law states that employers and property owners will be held liable for falls. The scaffold law also mandates that the structure must be able to bear up to four times the maximum weight and include a safety rail after surpassing a certain height.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
Whether you were injured in Fort Greene, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, or North Brooklyn, our personal injury attorneys are here to help.
During your consultation, we can review what happened and help you determine the best course of legal action. For locals and tourists injured by scaffolding, we can help file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. For injured workers, we can hold companies and property owners liable for their safety failures.
Contact Zucker & Regev, P.C.
If you were injured because of faulty scaffolding, out team is here to help you. To set up a consultation, contact our Brooklyn personal injury attorneys. We are proud to assist families and workers throughout Kings County and all of New York City.