Of the many accidents that take place in construction sites each year, those involving scaffolding are among the most frequent. In fact, more than 9,750 of the 500,000 injuries that are suffered on construction sites each year are related to scaffolding accidents. Employers in our state are required to provide proper safety training for scaffold workers, as well proper scaffolds themselves, with safety measures such as railings in place.

Unfortunately, these employers do not always abide by labor laws that require such provisions, and this often results in scaffolding accidents that involve planking or other supports giving way, employees slipping and falling, or employees being struck by falling objects.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a scaffolding accident, contact the team of New York City construction accident lawyers today!

Understanding OSHA's Safety Requirements

The U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is a government entity that has imposed a number of rules and regulations on the construction industry. By implementing specific guidelines for the construction, maintenance and use of scaffolds, they are hoping to limit the number of related injuries and deaths that occur on construction sites each year. Unfortunately, those responsible for maintaining safe jobsites do not always follow these regulations—thus resulting in a number of preventable accidents. These guidelines have been put into place to keep workers safe, however, so it is important for everyone to at least be aware of what they are.

Some of the most important include:

• 1926.451(a)(1) – All scaffolds and scaffold components must be capable of supporting its own weight, as well as at least four times the maximum intended load.
• 1926.451(a)(4) – All suspension ropes used on scaffolds must be capable of supporting, without failure, at least six times to the maximum intended load.
• 1926.451(a)(6) – All scaffolds must be designed by a qualified person, as well as constructed and loaded in accordance with the specified design.
• 1926.451(a)(2) – All connections to roofs and floors, and counterweights used to balance a scaffold, must be capable of resisting at least four times the tipping point.
• 1926.451(a)(5) – All scaffolds' stall load must not exceed three times its rated load.

If you have been involved in a scaffolding accident in which your employer has failed to follow the guidelines implemented by OSHA, you should not hesitate to contact a New York City construction accident lawyer from Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnell & Ryan LLP as soon as possible. If you are interested in reviewing a more comprehensive list of safety and health regulations regarding construction scaffolding, however, we encourage you to visit the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's official website.

Who is responsible for my injuries?

New York labor laws have strict requirements that delineate the safety measures that must be in place when scaffolding is used, but these requirements are not always met by site owners or construction managers. When proper safety equipment and procedures are not in place, accidents occur, causing countless injuries and deaths every year. Common injuries include broken legs, arms, back, and neck, internal injuries, brain trauma, and coma.

If you have been hurt in a scaffolding fall due to the negligence or carelessness of those in charge of a construction site, contact a personal injury attorney today. The project owner or manager, contractor, subcontractor, or construction manager may all be responsible for the injuries you have sustained, and if so, an attorney can fight for substantial compensation from all parties that will allow you to fully cover the expenses related to your injuries.

Seeking Compensation after a New York City Scaffolding Accident

New York labor laws are both very specific and very strict when it comes to the inalienable rights of construction workers. The onus is on construction employers to provide the safest environment possible for their employees, and if they fail to do so, it is often their responsibility to ensure that accident victims are recompensed for their pain and suffering.

It is important that you seek the help of an attorney to assert your rights in your construction accident case, so that you can increase the likelihood of an outcome that is in your favor. We at Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnell & Ryan LLP have been representing personal injury victims for over 5 decades, and we have had much experience assisting those injured in construction accidents.

We understand that construction, as a profession, is dangerous enough without having to worry about the negligence of contractors, project managers, or equipment vendors. When someone suffers injury on a construction site due to negligence, they are entitled to the maximum compensation allowed by law, so that they are able to cover the full cost of the damages they have sustained. Contact a NYC construction accident attorney if you have been hurt while working on scaffolding, and we will be diligent in establishing fault so that we can more effectively fight for the compensation you deserve.

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Recommended Reading:

• Big Business Interests Attempt to Repeal Scaffold Law
• Scaffolding Accidents on the Rise in New York City
• Who is Liable for a Scaffolding Accident?