Construction Accidents In NYC & How To Protect Your Claim

Anyone who has ever been to New York knows how common construction sites are. It is important to remember that, although necessary, they also come with inherent risks. Unfortunately, accidents will happen, leading to vital workers having significant injuries that create financial challenges. Knowing your rights and legal remedies is essential if you find yourself in this position. In this blog, we discuss some of the steps involved with protecting your claim after being involved in a construction-related accident. The goal is to safeguard your well-being and position yourself to receive the fair compensation you may be entitled to.

Step One: Medical Treatment & Reporting

As in any accident, prioritize your health and well-being. Anyone severely injured should seek medical treatment, which extends to minor accidents too. We use the term “minor” loosely because you are not in a position to fully understand the extent of your injuries. Allow a doctor to make that determination because they also document it appropriately. This is particularly important because there is a possibility that your injuries could worsen over time. Secondly, delaying medical care could also exacerbate the extent of your injuries.

Next, you must report the accident to your employer or supervisor immediately. Many people may hide their injuries because they worry they will lose their job or face sanctions. Employers must provide employees with workers’ compensation benefits in New York. These could cover your medical expenses and lost wages that result from a work-related accident. Additionally, because your employer knows about the accident, they can initiate the necessary procedures for your workers’ compensation.

Step Two: Document & Preserve

To strengthen your claim and protect your rights, it is crucial to document and preserve any evidence related to your accident. Here are some things you can do to accomplish this.

Take photographs if you are physically capable of doing so. This could apply to your injuries, the scene surrounding the accident, and any hazardous conditions that caused them.
Gather witnesses. Get contact information if you were around other workers when the accident occurred. Though no one expects you to have them fill out accident reports (which the company may do), your attorney can speak with them later. Witness testimonials like these can play a significant role in establishing liability and painting a picture of the circumstances that lead to your accident.
Preserve your documents. You should keep track of ANY information or documentation related to your injury or subsequent medical treatment. The more you give your attorney, the better position they will be in to defend your claim. This applies to incident reports, medical records, and medical bills. There is no such thing as too much information to give your attorney. They will lean on these documents to comprehensively record your injuries and their associated expenses.

Get the Compensation You Need

If you have been injured in a construction accident in New York City, remember that you don’t have to face this alone. At Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, we have a proven track record of recovering over $1 billion in compensation for our clients. Our dedicated team of personal injury attorneys understands the complexities of construction accidents and will fight vigorously to protect your rights. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation, so we can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and begin obtaining the compensation you need.