Staten Island Construction Accident Lawyer

At Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman, we understand the unique challenges faced by construction workers across Staten Island. From the North Shore development projects to South Shore residential builds, our team of dedicated Staten Island construction site accident lawyers has represented hardworking men and women from every corner of the borough.

Construction remains one of New York City’s most dangerous industries, with Staten Island workers facing significant risks daily. When accidents happen on the job, you need a Staten Island construction site accident lawyer who knows the local landscape, understands union regulations, and has successfully navigated the complex legal framework that governs workplace injuries in Richmond County.

Your Rights As a Staten Island Construction Worker Who Has Been Injured

New York labor laws provide strong protections for construction workers injured on Staten Island job sites. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers help workers understand and exercise these important rights:

• Workers’ Compensation Benefits: Regardless of who caused your accident, you’re entitled to medical care, partial wage replacement, and disability benefits through your employer’s insurance.
• Third-Party Negligence Claims: Unlike a standard workers’ compensation case, construction accidents often involve claims against contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners who contributed to your injury.
• Labor Law Section 240 Protection: Known as the “Scaffold Law,” this provision holds property owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related accidents including falls from heights or falling objects.
• Labor Law Section 241 Protection: This statute requires specific safety measures on construction sites, and violations can establish liability for your injuries beyond workers’ compensation.
• Proper Medical Treatment: You have the right to choose your own doctor within the workers’ compensation network and receive appropriate care for your construction-related injuries.
• Temporary Disability Benefits: While recovering, you’re entitled to payments representing a percentage of your average weekly wage when a Staten Island construction site accident leaves you unable to work.
• Permanent Disability Compensation: For lasting injuries, you may qualify for ongoing benefits, the amount determined by the specific body part affected and degree of impairment.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: If your construction injury prevents returning to your previous position, you have rights to job retraining and placement assistance.
• Protection from Retaliation: Your employer cannot legally fire you or take adverse action because you filed a workers’ compensation claim or reported safety violations.

If you’ve been injured on a Staten Island construction site, don’t navigate these complex rights alone. Contact our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman for a free consultation to ensure you receive all the benefits and compensation you deserve.

New York State Construction Liability Laws

New York State provides some of the strongest legal protections for construction workers in the country, giving injured workers significant rights beyond standard workers’ compensation. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers leverage these powerful laws to maximize recovery:

• Labor Law Section 240 (Scaffold Law): This crucial statute holds property owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related accidents, including falls from heights and injuries from falling objects, regardless of worker negligence or comparative fault.
• Labor Law Section 241(6): This provision requires all construction sites to comply with specific safety regulations in the New York Industrial Code, creating a basis for liability when violations lead to worker injuries on Staten Island job sites.
• Labor Law Section 200: This general workplace safety law codifies the common-law duty to provide workers with a reasonably safe place to work, allowing claims against parties who control or create dangerous conditions on construction sites.
• Third-Party Liability: Beyond these labor laws, injured construction workers can pursue claims against equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, and other parties whose negligence contributed to accidents, providing compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.

If you’ve been injured on a Staten Island construction site, understanding these powerful liability laws is essential to securing the full compensation you deserve. Contact our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman for a comprehensive evaluation of your case and dedicated representation focused on maximizing your recovery.

How Our Staten Island Construction Accident Lawyer Can Maximize Your Workers’ Compensation

At Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers work tirelessly to ensure injured workers receive every dollar they deserve. Our strategic approach includes:

• Immediate Case Evaluation: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyer will thoroughly assess your situation to identify all potential avenues for compensation beyond basic workers’ compensation benefits.
• Proper Injury Classification: Our Staten Island workers’ comp lawyers ensure your construction injuries are correctly categorized, as insurance companies often attempt to minimize the severity of injuries to reduce payment obligations.
• Medical Evidence Development: Our team works with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries, creating compelling evidence that supports maximum benefits.
• Wage Calculation Verification: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers carefully review your pre-injury earnings to confirm your benefit rates are calculated correctly, including overtime, seasonal work, and multiple job considerations.
• Disputed Claim Resolution: When insurers deny legitimate construction accident claims, our Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyer aggressively challenges these denials through hearings and appeals.
• Permanent Disability Rating Advocacy: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers fight for accurate disability ratings that reflect the true impact of your injuries on your earning capacity and quality of life.
• Settlement Negotiation: With decades of experience handling Staten Island construction cases, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers know how to negotiate settlements that fully account for future medical needs and lost earnings.
• Third-Party Claim Coordination: Unlike many workers’ compensation attorneys, we simultaneously pursue additional claims against negligent third parties responsible for your construction site accident.
• Return-to-Work Planning: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers protect your interests during the return-to-work process, ensuring any accommodations are appropriate and that you’re not forced back before you’re medically ready.
• Future Medical Treatment Security: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyer will fight to include provisions for ongoing and future medical care in any settlement agreements.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve after a Staten Island construction accident. Contact Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman today to learn how our experienced legal team can maximize your workers’ compensation benefits while exploring all additional sources of recovery.

Staten Island Construction Site Accident Cases We Take

As experienced Staten Island construction site accident lawyers, Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman represents workers in all types of construction injury cases across Richmond County. Our practice encompasses:

• Scaffold and Ladder Falls: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers aggressively pursue claims for workers injured in falls from heights, leveraging New York’s strong Scaffold Law to hold property owners and contractors accountable.
• Crane and Hoist Accidents: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyer team handles complex cases involving equipment failures, operator errors, and overloading that result in serious injuries.
• Trench Collapses: When proper shoring, sloping, and safety protocols are ignored, we fight for workers buried or injured in preventable trench cave-ins on Staten Island projects.
• Electrical Accidents: From shock injuries to devastating arc flash burns, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers represent electricians and other workers harmed by electrical hazards on construction sites.
• Struck-by Incidents: Flying debris, falling materials, and swinging equipment cause serious injuries that often involve multiple liable parties beyond the workers’ compensation system.
• Heavy Equipment Injuries: Our firm handles cases involving bulldozers, backhoes, forklifts, and other machinery that causes crushing injuries and amputations on Staten Island job sites.
• Building Collapse Cases: When structural failures occur during construction or demolition, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers have the resources to investigate these complex, catastrophic events.
• Explosion and Fire Injuries: Gas leaks, chemical exposures, and combustible materials create devastating burn and blast injuries that require specialized legal representation.
• Repetitive Stress Injuries: Not all construction injuries happen suddenly—we represent workers suffering from conditions that develop over time due to repeated physical stress.
• Fatal Construction Accidents: When the unthinkable happens, our Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyer team helps families pursue wrongful death claims and secure dependent benefits.

If you’ve been injured in any type of construction accident in Staten Island, contact Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman immediately. Our experienced attorneys will evaluate your case at no cost and fight relentlessly to secure the full compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Common Injuries Associated with Staten Island Construction Site Accidents

Construction accidents on Staten Island job sites frequently result in severe injuries that can permanently impact workers’ lives and livelihoods. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers regularly represent clients suffering from:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Falling objects, falls from heights, and equipment accidents can cause concussions or severe TBIs that require lengthy rehabilitation and may result in permanent cognitive impairment.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Falls from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs often lead to devastating spinal injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis that changes a construction worker’s life forever.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Construction accidents frequently cause complex fractures requiring surgical repair, metal implants, and extended physical therapy, particularly in the legs, arms, and pelvis.
• Crush Injuries: Heavy materials, equipment, and collapsed structures can trap workers, causing severe tissue damage, compartment syndrome, and in many cases, permanent disability.
• Amputation and Loss of Limbs: Unguarded machinery, power tools, and caught-between accidents can result in traumatic amputations or injuries so severe that surgical amputation becomes necessary.
• Severe Burns: Electrical accidents, explosions, and chemical exposures lead to painful, disfiguring burns that often require skin grafts, multiple surgeries, and cause lasting physical and emotional trauma.
• Eye Injuries and Vision Loss: Flying debris, chemical splashes, and welding accidents frequently damage workers’ eyes, with many cases resulting in partial or complete blindness.
• Respiratory Conditions: Exposure to asbestos, silica dust, and toxic chemicals on Staten Island construction sites can cause immediate breathing difficulties or develop into serious long-term lung diseases.
• Hearing Loss: Constant exposure to loud equipment and unexpected explosions or impact noises can cause permanent hearing damage that workers’ compensation often fails to adequately address.
• Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, many construction accident victims develop PTSD, anxiety, and depression that require professional treatment and significantly impact quality of life.

If you’ve suffered any of these serious injuries on a Staten Island construction site, don’t rely solely on workers’ compensation. Contact our Staten Island construction site accident lawyer team at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman to explore all potential sources of compensation for your injuries.

What To Do After Being Injured on a Staten Island Construction Site

The actions you take immediately following a construction site accident can significantly impact your ability to recover full compensation. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers recommend these critical steps:

• Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if your injuries seem minor, get examined by a medical professional as some serious conditions may not show symptoms right away and proper documentation is essential for your claim.
• Report the Accident: Notify your supervisor or employer about the injury as soon as possible, ideally in writing, as New York law requires reporting workplace accidents within 30 days to maintain workers’ compensation eligibility.
• Document the Scene: If physically able, take photographs of the accident site, equipment involved, safety violations, and your injuries before conditions change or evidence disappears.
• Collect Witness Information: Obtain names and contact details of coworkers or others who witnessed your accident as their testimony may prove crucial when establishing liability beyond workers’ compensation.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep your work clothes, boots, harness, or any equipment involved in the accident in their post-accident condition as they may contain important evidence for your case.
• Follow Medical Advice: Attend all appointments, complete prescribed treatments, and follow your doctor’s instructions precisely as gaps in treatment can be used to minimize your construction injury claim.
• Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a journal documenting your pain levels, limitations, medical visits, and how the injury affects your daily life to strengthen your case for maximum compensation.
• Avoid Recorded Statements: Do not provide recorded statements to insurance representatives or sign any documents without first consulting a Staten Island construction site accident lawyer.
• File Required Forms: Submit a C-3 form to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board within two years of your accident to formally initiate your workers’ compensation claim.
• Contact a Staten Island Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Consult with our experienced attorneys at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman before accepting any settlement offers to ensure you receive full compensation for your construction injuries.

Don’t navigate the complex aftermath of a construction accident alone. Contact our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers immediately after your injury for a free consultation and dedicated representation focused on protecting your rights and maximizing your recovery.

Who In Staten Island Can File a Construction Site Workers’ Comp Claim?

New York’s workers’ compensation system covers virtually all construction workers injured on Staten Island job sites, regardless of immigration status or employment classification. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers regularly assist these eligible workers:

• Union Construction Workers: Members of local unions including carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, and laborers are fully entitled to workers’ compensation benefits plus any additional union-specific injury benefits.
• Non-Union Employees: All construction workers employed by Staten Island contractors are covered by workers’ compensation insurance, even those working for smaller residential builders or renovation companies.
• Undocumented Workers: New York law protects all injured workers regardless of immigration status, allowing undocumented construction workers to file claims without fear of deportation or other immigration consequences.
• Independent Contractors: While true independent contractors are typically excluded, many construction workers are misclassified, and our Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyer can help determine your actual employment status.
• Day Laborers: Even if hired informally or paid in cash, workers picked up for daily construction work are generally considered employees eligible for benefits when injured.
• Apprentices and Trainees: Those learning construction trades through formal or informal training programs maintain full workers’ compensation protection while on Staten Island job sites.
• Part-Time Workers: Construction employees working part-time schedules receive the same injury coverage as full-time workers, though benefit calculations may differ based on average weekly wages.
• Recently Hired Employees: Workers injured on their first day are fully covered, as workers’ compensation protection begins immediately upon employment with no waiting period.
• Subcontractor Employees: Workers employed by subcontractors on larger projects can file claims through their direct employer’s insurance or potentially through the general contractor’s policy.
• Temporary Agency Workers: Construction personnel supplied by staffing agencies to Staten Island construction sites maintain workers’ compensation eligibility through the temporary agency.

If you’ve been injured while working construction in Staten Island, contact our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman immediately to determine your eligibility and ensure your claim is properly filed to maximize your benefits and protect your legal rights.

Why Choose Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman

When selecting legal representation after a Staten Island construction accident, your choice of attorney can significantly impact your recovery. Our firm offers distinct advantages for injured workers:

• Dedicated Construction Accident Experience: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers focus specifically on construction injury cases, giving us unparalleled understanding of industry practices, safety regulations, and the complex interplay between workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims.
• Comprehensive Legal Approach: Unlike attorneys who handle only workers’ compensation claims, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyer team pursues all available avenues for compensation, including Labor Law violations, equipment manufacturer liability, and premises liability claims.
• Local Staten Island Knowledge: Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers understand the unique characteristics of Staten Island’s construction industry, from union practices to local court systems, allowing us to navigate your claim more effectively than firms based in other boroughs with limited Richmond County experience.
• No Recovery, No Fee Guarantee: Our Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyers represent injured construction workers on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only collect fees if we secure compensation for your injuries.

Contact Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman today for a free consultation with a Staten Island construction site accident lawyer who will fight tirelessly to secure the full compensation you deserve for your workplace injuries.

Get the Compensation You Deserve Today

Injured on a Staten Island construction site? Don’t face the legal system alone. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers at Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman are ready to protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and take the first step toward securing your future.

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We Also Represent

• • Staten Island Construction Workers
  • Staten Island Warehouse Workers
  • Staten Island MTA Workers
  • Staten Island Healthcare Workers

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FAQs

How long do I have to file a construction accident claim in Staten Island? For workers’ compensation claims, you must notify your employer within 30 days and file with the Workers’ Compensation Board within two years. For third-party personal injury lawsuits, New York’s statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of injury.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my construction accident? Yes. Workers’ compensation benefits are available regardless of fault. For third-party claims under New York’s Labor Law 240, the Scaffold Law provides absolute liability protection for gravity-related accidents regardless of your contribution to the accident.

Will I have to testify or go to court for my Staten Island construction accident case? Many construction accident cases settle without requiring court appearances. However, if your case proceeds to a hearing or trial, our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers will thoroughly prepare you for any testimony and stand with you throughout the process.

What if my employer doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance? You can still receive benefits through the New York Uninsured Employers’ Fund. Additionally, operating without required workers’ compensation insurance is illegal, which may strengthen third-party claims against negligent contractors or property owners.

How much is my Staten Island construction accident case worth? Each case value depends on factors including injury severity, long-term prognosis, lost wages, medical expenses, and applicable liability laws. Our Staten Island construction site accident lawyers provide realistic evaluations based on decades of experience with similar cases.

Can I be fired for filing a workers’ compensation claim after my construction injury? No. New York law prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file legitimate workers’ compensation claims. If you experience retaliation, our attorneys can help protect your employment rights alongside your injury claim.

Do I need a separate Staten Island workers’ compensation lawyer and personal injury attorney? No. Our Staten Island construction accident lawyers handles both aspects of your case, ensuring coordinated representation that maximizes total compensation across all available claims without requiring you to work with multiple law firms.

What makes construction accident cases different from other workplace injuries? Construction accidents often involve multiple responsible parties beyond your employer and typically result in more severe injuries. New York’s special labor laws provide additional protections specifically for construction workers that don’t apply to other industries.

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Other Staten Island Workers We Represent

In addition to construction workers, our Staten Island workers’ compensation attorneys represent employees across a wide range of industries. Some of the most common claims we handle include:

• • Staten Island Warehouse Worker Injury Lawyer – Representing workers injured in facilities like Matrix Global Logistics Park and West Shore industrial centers due to lifting injuries, equipment malfunctions, or repetitive stress.
  • Staten Island MTA Worker Injury Lawyer – Advocating for transit employees injured on the Staten Island Railway, at ferry terminals, or in bus depots such as Yukon and Meredith Avenue.
  • Staten Island Healthcare Worker Injury Lawyer – Helping nurses, aides, and medical staff from Staten Island University Hospital, Richmond University Medical Center, and local nursing homes recover for injuries from lifting patients, needle sticks, and violent incidents.
  • Staten Island Retail Worker Injury Lawyer – Serving employees hurt at Staten Island Mall, Empire Outlets, or shops along Richmond Avenue and Hylan Boulevard due to slip and falls, stockroom accidents, or customer altercations.
  • Staten Island Office Worker Injury Lawyer – Representing administrative staff facing injuries from poor ergonomics, falls, or mental health conditions at workplaces in St. George, Bloomfield, and the Teleport business park.