SCAFFOLD ACCIDENTS

In 2006, there were twenty suspended scaffolding accidents in New York City alone. Of that number, six construction workers died while the remainder required rescue or were treated for serious injuries. According to the New York City Buildings Department, this represents an eighty-two percent increase from 2005 in the number of suspended scaffolding accidents. Lawyers in New York also confirm the increase in direct cases and lawsuits for scaffold falling incidents. Eighty percent of the suspended scaffolding accidents recorded, in 2006, involved scaffolds that did not require a permit for use by the city government. A "C-hook" scaffold was involved in sixty-five percent of all scaffolding accidents. Lawyers at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP in New York confirm that one hundred percent of the fatalities that resulted from these scaffolding accidents involved the misuse or non-use of safety harnesses, which are required by law.

Many of these scaffolding accidents involved construction workers who were immigrant workers that lacked proper training and supervision. Furthermore, on many of the job sites where these accidents took place, the building permits were not in order. Falling scaffolds or improperly maintained scaffolds also play a big role in construction worker accidents.

When an organization does not take adequate safety precautions to ensure the well-being of its workers, it may be charged with negligence and construction accident responsibility if an employee comes to harm. Furthermore, if a worker suffers from a scaffolding accident, lawyers may file an action against people or firms other than an employer if they, too, contributed to the accident because they failed to maintain a safe working environment. For example, responsible parties may include: contractors, sub-contractors, equipment manufacturers, tool manufacturers, landlords and materials suppliers.

If you or a loved one were injured in a scaffolding accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The New York and New Jersey scaffolding accident lawyers at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, offer experienced legal representation for workers who have been involved in construction accidents. For more information please contact Alan J. Konigsberg at (212) 605-6200.