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Construction accidents can have serious consequences, including catastrophic injuries, loss of income, and expensive medical bills. Fortunately, liable parties are often willing to settle with injured construction workers, providing them with the financial compensation necessary to move on with their lives. In this article, we discuss common settlement amounts for construction accidents.
Range of Settlement Amounts
Construction accident settlements can vary widely depending on the circumstances. Specifically, settlements tend to range from around $50,000 for minor injuries to over $10 million for catastrophic injuries. This large variation stems from the complex nature of construction injuries and the impact they can have on victims’ lives.
Calculating Construction Accident Settlement Amounts
The calculation of settlement amounts for construction accident cases involves an analysis of a variety of factors, including the type of injury and source of recovery. The two primary sources of compensation for construction accidents are workers’ compensation and civil lawsuits.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation is the main source of compensation for injured construction workers. This type of insurance provides benefits to injury victims based on specific calculations and categories. A successful workers’ compensation claim in New York can provide compensation for the following:
Medical expenses: Workers’ compensation provides funds to cover medical expenses, including rehabilitation services, necessary surgeries, medical devices, and medications.
Temporary disability payments: A successful workers’ compensation claim can also provide temporary disability payments at a rate of up to 2/3 of the victim’s average weekly wage.
Permanent disability benefits: Victims who are permanently disabled may be entitled to permanent disability benefits, which are are calculated based on the victim’s long-term limitations and their impact on the injured party’s future employment opportunities
Vocational rehabilitation services: Finally, workers’ compensation can cover the costs of vocational rehabilitation services, including career counseling and job retraining programs.
Construction Accident Lawsuits
Another option for financial compensation following a construction accident in New York is to file a lawsuit. The option to file a lawsuit becomes available when parties other than a construction worker’s employer contribute to the accident through misconduct or negligence. Third-party settlements in response to construction accident lawsuits typically include compensation for:
Wage replacement: Total wage replacement is a possible form of compensation following a construction accident lawsuit. This often includes future earning potential.
Medical expenses: Construction accident lawsuit settlements also typically cover the victim’s medical expenses, including current and future medical needs, treatments, and alternative therapies.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress are also typically provided in settlements for construction accidents in New York.
Loss of consortium: Settlements in construction accident lawsuits also sometimes provide compensation for the impact accidents have on marital relations.
Property damage and incidental expenses: Finally, a settlement in a construction accident lawsuit can provide compensation for the costs of home modifications, medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, and other accident-related costs.
Contact a Long Island Construction Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a construction accident in New York, you should contact an experienced construction accident attorney today. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, our experienced New York construction accident lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf. Please contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with a New York construction accident attorney.
