Content reviewed by:
Alex Shulman
Staten Island’s current population boom means new construction projects are beginning throughout the borough, bringing new economic opportunities to workers. As a Staten Island construction worker, you likely take all necessary steps to ensure your and your coworkers’ safety–but this does not guarantee you will never be injured in a job site accident.
If you have been injured in a construction site accident in Staten Island, you may be able to recover significant compensation for your injuries–even if you are an immigrant, undocumented, or non-union worker. To learn more about your legal options, review your case with Shulman & Hill’s trusted Staten Island construction accident lawyers today.
Our Staten Island Construction Accident Attorneys Are Here to Help
Experienced Representation for Construction Accident Cases
At Shulman & Hill, no construction accident case is too significant, complex, or challenging for our experienced attorneys. With over a decade of experience representing injured New Yorkers, we have helped countless construction workers recover the compensation they need to move forward after a workplace accident. Shulman & Hill has recovered over $700 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including many multi-million dollar recoveries for construction accident victims and their families.
Recognition for Client-Focused Representation
Our reputation for client-focused representation and maximized results has won us many accolades, including New York Super Lawyers, Attorney and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Award, and The National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers list.
Comprehensive Legal Services Under One Roof
When you turn to our attorneys, we’ll pursue all possible sources of compensation on your behalf. We handle third-party personal injury lawsuits and workers’ compensation cases in-house, so you don’t have to worry about hiring multiple firms. We’ll manage all aspects of your case, from investigation and evidence gathering to negotiations and litigation.
Representation for Staten Island’s Diverse Workforce
We recognize immigrants’ vital role in Staten Island’s construction industry and proudly represent them when they get injured on the job. As a multilingual law firm, our attorneys speak Spanish, Russian, and English, so we’re ready to provide quality representation in your preferred language.
Personalized Support for Your Recovery
Our team will treat you compassionately throughout the legal process and ensure you receive proper medical treatment for your injuries. When we represented Rickford, he found comfort in our frequent calls to check on him. We connected him with trustworthy doctors and sought a variety of medical perspectives to ensure we had an accurate understanding of his injuries and resulting pain. These efforts helped us secure a seven-figure settlement on his behalf.
Construction Accident Case Results From Shulman & Hill
Our team recovered $2 million for an immigrant laborer who suffered severe injuries in a fall from a ladder.
$2,000,000
We secured a $600,000 settlement for a non-union laborer injured at a construction site. The plaintiff sustained injuries to his foot and lower back because the defendant failed to ensure that the equipment at the project was in a safe condition. The defense contested both the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries and their responsibility for the incident. Shulman & Hill strives to obtain justice for workers injured at construction sites.
$600,000
Our lawyers obtained a $800,000 settlement for a client who fell down a scaffold staircase at a construction site due to a tripping hazard.
$800,000
We obtained a $800,000 settlement for an apprentice plumber injured during a boiler installation when equipment fell and struck him due to New York State Labor Law violations.
$800,000
Our team recently obtained a $750,000 settlement at a judicial mediation for a client injured while working at a construction site. The settlement was reached after the Court awarded summary judgment to our client. Defense counsel had argued that the defendants were not legally responsible for the premises. They also claimed the client was not permitted to walk in the area where he was injured and was responsible for his own fall.
$750,000
Recovering Damages in Staten Island Construction Cases
The value of your construction accident case depends on various case-specific factors, including the type of claim you choose to pursue. In a workers’ compensation claim, you can seek compensation for medical coverage, lost wages, and disability benefits. However, in a personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue more extensive damages, including those for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
At Shulman Hill, our Staten Island construction accident lawyers will determine the value of your case by thoroughly investigating the accident and your damages. We will need as many details as possible to develop a strong case for maximum compensation. Our goal is to help you secure compensation that covers all your damages so you have no out-of-pocket expenses or continued financial strain.
If an insurance company is involved in your lawsuit, they may try to shift the blame onto you to reduce your compensation, but we won’t let that happen. When the insurance company argued that our client, a security guard who slipped and fell on ice at a construction site, was at fault for his injury, our attorneys fought back and obtained a $750,000 settlement.
Can You Still Get Compensation If You Were Partially At Fault?
When negotiating a settlement or litigating a construction accident case in court, insurance companies often attempt to assign blame to injured workers to reduce or avoid the amount they will have to pay. Hiring an experienced attorney is the key to fighting this tactic. Shulman & Hill’s legal team will thoroughly investigate your accident and gather all available evidence to accurately represent your level of fault, protecting you from an unfair fault assignment and ensuring you receive a fair settlement.
Staten Island Construction Accident Case Process
While every case is unique, there are some general steps that most cases will follow. The amount of time each step takes varies from case to case, but the Staten Island construction accident case process typically involves the following:
- Free consultation: First, we’ll offer a free consultation to discuss the details of your case. We will learn about what happened and determine how we can help you.
- Investigation: If we agree to proceed with your case, we’ll begin an investigation and gather evidence to support your claim. This process may involve obtaining accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and other relevant information. We’ll determine the cause of the accident, identify any negligent third parties, and demonstrate how the accident caused your injuries.
- Calculating your damages: We’ll work with medical experts to determine the full extent of your injuries and how they will impact your life, now and in the future. Our construction accident attorneys will also calculate your economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
- Documentation and paperwork: Our attorneys will handle all the necessary paperwork and filings on your behalf, whether we’re pursuing workers’ compensation benefits or a personal injury lawsuit. These steps may include filing a C-3 form with the state Workers’ Compensation Board or submitting a personal injury demand letter to the liable party.
- Settlement negotiation: We can often resolve construction accident cases through settlement negotiations with the insurance company or liable party. Our construction injury lawyers will negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
- Representation in hearings or trial: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we won’t hesitate to take your case to trial or a workers’ compensation hearing. We will be prepared to present a strong case before a judge or jury.
Understanding the Timing of a Construction Accident Case
Your construction accident case is subject to several deadlines. New York’s statute of limitations for workers’ compensation claims is two years from the date of the accident. State law also requires you to notify your employer of your injury within 30 days. If you’re filing a third-party personal injury claim against a non-employer, you have three years to do so under New York’s personal injury statute of limitations.
New York City Local Law 78 also requires the people in charge of the construction site to report the accident to the city within three business days. Similarly, if a state government entity is responsible for your accident, Section 10 of the Court of Claims Act requires you to notify the state of your intent to file a claim against it within 90 days.
Aside from these deadlines, every case has a different time frame. We will constantly communicate with you to ensure your case moves forward promptly. The sooner you contact us, the better our chances are of building a strong construction accident case and obtaining the compensation you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Construction Accident?
After a construction accident, an injured worker may be able to hold a number of parties liable for their injuries. Typically, workers cannot file a lawsuit against their own employers–that is where workers’ compensation benefits come in. A construction accident lawsuit is generally filed against one or more third parties, such as property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, or equipment manufacturers. Any of these parties’ negligence could result in injuries to workers.
Shulman & Hill’s construction accident attorneys will meticulously investigate your accident to identify all responsible parties, from inspecting job site conditions to reviewing project blueprints. We will work diligently to hold every negligent party involved accountable, maximizing your potential compensation.
What Do I Do if My Family Member or Loved One Was Injured or Killed in a Construction Accident?
Some accidents may be fatal, and others may result in severe disabilities that affect a person’s ability to speak up for themselves. Shulman & Hill has experience with these cases. Our team can help you get the justice and compensation your family deserves.
New York’s workers’ compensation system provides survivor benefits for surviving spouses, minor children, and other dependents. These benefits are a weekly cash benefit equal to two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average wage for the year leading up to the accident. If the deceased had no surviving dependents, their surviving parents may be eligible for a $50,000 payment.
If you have a wrongful death case against a third party, you may also be eligible for compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and emotional damages. You must file a third-party wrongful death claim within two years of your loved one’s death.
