Construction Accident Attorneys in Staten Island, NY
When your life is turned upside down by an unexpected construction accident, the path to recovery can seem endless. Although workers’ compensation in New York covers medical care and some wage loss, it often falls short of offering full financial justice for a life-changing injury. However, if a party other than your direct employer caused your injury, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim, which enables you to recover damages beyond what workers’ comp may provide.
At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, our
personal injury lawyers in Staten Island, New York, bring decades of dedicated legal advocacy to your case. With more than 50 years of experience and $500 million recovered for injured clients, we have the proven track record and in-depth knowledge of New York law required to secure the fair compensation you deserve after a jobsite injury.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party claims are lawsuits against non-employer parties and are separate from workers’ compensation claims.
- Compensation in a third-party claim may include non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
- In New York, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident, though certain claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines.
- Seeking immediate medical care, documenting the scene, and contacting a construction accident attorney in Staten Island right away can safeguard your rights.
Types of Construction Accident Cases We Handle in New York
Our personal injury attorneys provide dedicated legal representation to clients and their families in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. Whether you’re injured as a worker or visitor on a construction site, we can evaluate your case and help you understand your options for recovering compensation. We’ve recovered compensation for clients in a wide range of construction accident cases in New York, including those involving:
- Falls from heights, such as scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
- Being struck by a vehicle
- Falling materials or tools
- Electrical shock
- Defective tools and equipment
- Trench and excavation collapses
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents
- Injuries caused by hazardous materials
- Fires and explosions
- Wrongful death
What’s a Third-Party Workplace Injury Claim?
A third-party workplace injury claim is a lawsuit filed by an injured worker against someone other than their direct employer. Generally, employees in New York are prohibited from suing their employers for injuries sustained on the job. A third-party claim allows injured workers to seek more comprehensive financial compensation.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Construction Accident Claims
While New York workers’ compensation provides no-fault coverage for medical expenses and wage replacement benefits, third-party liability claims enable you to recover additional non-economic damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of companionship and consortium
Unlike economic damages, which include tangible financial losses like medical expenses, non-economic damages compensate for intangible and subjective losses an injured victim has suffered.
Our attorneys ensure your claim is accurately valued and reflects the full scope of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
Who May Be Liable in Third-Party Claims
Common parties that may be liable in these types of claims include:
- Non-employer general contractors
- Subcontractors
- Property owners
- Manufacturers of defective tools or equipment
Each case is unique. Liability will depend on the specific circumstances of your situation.
Strict Liability Under New York Law
Much of construction liability is governed by New York Labor Law, which imposes a strict liability standard on property owners and contractors for specific safety failures. For instance, if necessary safety devices weren’t provided or properly used, New York’s “scaffold law” imposes absolute liability for injuries that happen due to falls from heights.
Under this strict liability rule, you do not have to prove standard negligence, and New York’s comparative fault law often does not apply. Our Staten Island construction accident attorneys use their deep understanding of these complex statutes to build winning cases.
What to Do Immediately After a Construction Site Accident
Following a construction accident, seeking the medical care you need should be top your priority. However, if you’re able, gathering evidence and documenting the scene can protect your rights and bolster a potential personal injury claim.
- Report the accident to a supervisor as soon as possible to ensure it is formally documented
- Take photos or videos of the scene, including any unsafe conditions and your injuries
- Gather contact information from coworkers, visitors, or others who witnessed the accident
Reach Out to Our Staten Island Construction Accident Lawyers
It’s also vital to seek the counsel of an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Insurance companies often employ underhanded tactics to shift blame, minimize injuries, and deny claims. Contacting our construction accident attorneys ensures your rights are protected and shields you from the pressure to accept less than you deserve. The sooner our team can begin investigating and gathering evidence, the stronger the foundation of your case will be.
How Our Staten Island Personal Injury Attorneys Build Your Case
Our team’s tenacious, strategic approach protects your interests and lets insurers know that we’re fully prepared to fight for you through negotiations or at trial.
- Investigating and securing evidence — We get right to work investigating the accident, which may include visiting the site, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining accident reports, video footage, medical records, and other evidence.
- Working with respected professionals — Our personal injury lawyers partner with respected professionals such as accident reconstruction engineers and medical experts to clearly demonstrate how an accident happened and the severity of your injury.
- Dealing with insurers —
Our construction accident attorneys handle all communications and negotiations with insurers so you and your family can focus on healing. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, our team will take your case to trial and fight for your rights in court.
Determining Your Claim’s Value
It can be easy to underestimate the heavy physical, emotional, and financial costs of worksite injuries. Several factors impact the value of your claim, including the severity of your injuries, how they have affected your life, the need for future care, and insurance policy limits. Our team works closely with respected financial and medical experts to ensure your claim is accurately valued.
Why Choose Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law?
At Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, our Staten Island construction accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial strain you may be under after an injury. We’re here to take the burden off your shoulders and provide the dedicated representation you need to navigate the complex legal system and stand up to powerful insurance companies.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
Our construction accident lawyers take cases on contingency fee basis. This means you won’t incur any upfront costs, and we get paid only if we successfully secure compensation for you.
Decades of Proven Experience in New York Personal Injury Law
Our trusted personal injury attorneys have secured more than $500 million in compensation for injured victims over the past five decades. The success stories found in our
client testimonials show that we don't just win cases—we help clients find justice. We know that you may be navigating one of the most challenging times of your lives. Our team is dedicated to fighting for you and handling all aspects of your case so you can focus on recovering and moving forward with dignity.
Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer in Staten Island, NY
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, Chelli & Bush, Attorneys at Law, can help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve. To schedule a confidential consultation with a construction accident lawyer near you in Staten Island,
contact us or call 718-987-8444. We serve clients in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Construction Accidents in New York
How does New York’s comparative negligence rule affect my claim?
Even if you were partially responsible for an injury, you can still pursue compensation. It may just be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a construction site injury?
Generally, the statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits in New York is three years. However, exceptions may apply so it’s best to contact our construction accident attorney as soon as possible.
Can I pursue a third-party claim if I get workers’ comp benefits?
Yes. However, it’s important to understand that workers’ compensation can impact your personal injury claim, so it’s vital to consult a construction accident lawyer to maximize any settlement or award you receive.