Managing Partner
Scaffolding is a temporary structure that is placed on the outside of a building and used by workers while constructing, fixing, or cleaning a building. Although scaffolding is a necessity for most construction projects, it can be extremely dangerous. In fact, there are countless ways that scaffolding can result in injuries on construction sites. In this article, we discuss what to do after a scaffolding accident in New York.
Common Scaffolding Accident Injuries
Scaffolding accidents can be devastating. Common scaffolding accident injuries include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue damage
Compensation for Scaffolding Accident Injuries
If you are injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Specifically, following a scaffolding accident in New York, you may be entitled to damages for the following:
- Medical expenses: Following a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to compensation for all medical costs stemming from your injury, including surgeries, medical bills, rehabilitation, treatment, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages: It’s common to miss time at work while recovering from a scaffolding accident injury. As a scaffolding accident victim, you may be entitled to recover the wages you lost as a result of your injury. And if you can no longer work due to your injury, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for your future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: Scaffolding accidents are often accompanied by physical pain and mental stress. Therefore, if you are suffering from either of these, the court may award you compensation for physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
- Other damages: Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for additional types of financial compensation, including loss of consortium and punitive damages.
Steps to Take After a Scaffolding Accident
It’s important to take the proper steps after a scaffolding accident. Not only is this important for safety purposes, but taking the appropriate actions after a scaffolding accident can improve your odds of financial compensation. Below is an overview of the steps to take after a scaffolding accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Following a scaffolding accident in New York, your health and well-being should always be the top priority. Therefore, you should seek medical attention immediately after an accident. And this applies even if you don’t believe you’ve been injured. Some injuries don’t present symptoms immediately, so it’s always a good idea to obtain a medical examination regardless of how you feel.
Report the Accident
Next, you should notify your employer, the property owner, and the contractor of your scaffolding accident. Not only will this help establish a record of the incident, but the failure to timely report your accident can have a negative effect on your ability to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Gather Evidence
Solid evidence can have a significant impact on your construction accident case. Therefore, you should gather all evidence that is relevant to your accident, including witness information and statements, images of the scene of the accident, images of your visible injuries, and copies of your medical records.
Contact Our New York Construction Accident Attorneys
Finally, if you’ve been hurt in a scaffolding accident in New York, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, our knowledgeable New York construction accident attorneys are highly experienced in providing legal assistance to construction accident victims and their families. Please contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with our construction accident attorneys.
