Construction Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers in New York

Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnell & Ryan LLP

475 Park Avenue South
32nd Street
New York, New York 10016
USA

(212) 685-7411 or (678) 661-9089

(212) 685-9827

www.newyorkconstructionaccidentfirm.com

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Lurie, Ilchert, Mac Donnell & Ryan LLP, established for over 50 years, has concentrated on securing the highest money awards permitted by law for victims of accidents of every kind. We only handle accident cases and, during our entire history, we have not handled any other type of case, always representing accident victims. Million dollar final results are not rarities in our office. 80 of our clients have received $1,000,000 or more for their personal injuries. 203 of our clients have received $500,000 or more for their personal injuries. Unlike so many other New York City personal injury attorneys, we have not included in these figures large jury verdicts which were drastically reduced by the trial judge or by an appeals court. We are straight shooters and make no misleading claims.

Our outstanding record is the result of long experience, of total concentration and mastery of accident la and every phase of trial techniques. No part of your case will be handled by an inexperienced lawyer, or even by a lawyer with a moderate amount of experience. The lawyers in our New York City law firm average over 30 years experience in handling every type of personal injury case. There are no problems, and no defense strategies, that we have not met many times before and successfully overcome when humanly possible under the law. Thorough our time-tested trial skills and long experience in this field, we are able to win cases that many other New York City personal injury attorneys would refuse to accept, or would lose, or would get a much lower result. Many clients whose cases were already rejected or dropped by other attorneys have come to us. We take pride that we accepted some of those “impossible” cases and turned them into big winners. Experience really does count.

Our experience also taught us that one of the most important keys to a successful conclusion is to undertake a prompt, thorough investigation of the facts of the accident as soon as possible. That is the time when investigation is most likely to yield positive results.

Unfortunately, this is something that many New York City personal injury attorneys, possibly most attorneys in this field, badly neglect. Perhaps this is because of the high cost of the investigation, or their lack of knowledge of the intricacies and possibilities of a first class investigation. We spare no effort or expense in doing the most thorough investigation as soon as we have been retained.

Where applicable, we fully develop and carefully present evidence demonstrating the continuous pain and permanency of personal injuries and their effect on the quality of life, the permanent loss of the ability to work, or the drastic restrictions on the ability to work, the resulting loss of income over a lifetime, and in a appropriate cases of severe injuries, the high cost of home care, past and future medical, surgical, rehabilitation, hospital, drug and nursing expenses. These proofs, where applicable, are important elements in securing full compensation.

Our fees are strictly limited in accordance with Court rules. At the end of the case, a detailed, written accounting is provided each client showing all financial aspects of the case. It is important to remember that our clients owe no legal fee whatsoever unless we win their cases by settlement or trial and collect money for them.

Year this Office was Established: 1956

Languages: English, Polish, Slovak ,Czech, Spanish and Chinese.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Machinery Accidents; Unsafe and Dangerous Equipment Accidents; Scaffolding Accidents; Welding Accidents; Logging Accidents; Cutting Accidents; Elevator Accidents; Dumpster Accidents; Nail Gun Accidents; Falls from Heights; Site Debris Accidents; Falling Objects; Run-Over by Operating Equipment; Electrocution; Fires and Explosions; Structure Failure; Trench Cave-Ins and Crush Injuries; Compressor Accidents; Undocumented Workers.

Practice Areas Description

Our construction accident practice includes:

- New York State Labor Law

The labor laws in New York State give special protection to workers who are injured in construction accidents. This can include demolition, renovation, alteration, or repair of structures or buildings. When workers are injured due to violations of labor law sections 200, 240, or 241, they may be entitled to recover damages regardless of who was responsible for the accident.

- Machinery Accidents

The nature of construction involves a large variety of machinery, most of which should be safe if handled correctly but also have an inherent potential for danger. A relatively small error involving a forklift, crane, manlift, logging machine, punch press, compressor or other similar machinery can quickly escalate and cause great damage. Victims of these types of accidents may suffer lost limbs, internal injury, spinal injury, brain damage, electrocution, and any number of similarly horrific consequences.

- Unsafe and Dangerous Equipment Accidents

On any construction site, some equipment has inherent danger due to the nature of its parts and how it operates. In other instances, equipment which is not usually dangerous if used correctly can become so if misused, inadequately maintained or improperly stored. To combat both of these situations, official safety regulations and standard operating procedures have been established. While every worker must be aware of these rules and well trained in how to apply them, the supervisor and property owner hold a responsibility to see that the site is safe.

- Scaffolding Accidents

Of the many accidents that take place in construction sites each year, those involving scaffolding are amongst the most frequent. 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 mandate this, and this results in scaffolding accidents that involve planking or other supports giving way, employees slipping and falling, or employees being struck by falling objects.

- Welding Accidents

Welding accidents can easily cause severe injury and even death. UV and IR radiation can result in lifelong health problems. Burned skin, lungs or other internal organs and conditions such as arc eye and retinal tears or burns can all occur due to welding accidents. Despite the fact that this is a heavily regulated area, accidents do unfortunately still occur. If you or a loved one has been the victim of such a traumatic event, contact a New York job site accident attorney for help in your fight for fair compensation.

- Logging Accidents

Injuries sustained in logging accidents can be incredibly severe due to the types of tools and machinery used, such as chainsaws and logging machines. This can be compounded by the fact that logging sites are often far from any medical facilities. The lack of immediate medical attention can result in such tragedies as lost limbs or even lost lives. If your injury was caused due to misused, improperly maintained or defective equipment you may be able to obtain compensation for what you have suffered. If your employer was aware of onsite hazards and did not warn against these or take adequate steps to remedy them, you may have a claim against them. A New York job site accident lawyer can review the specifics of your case and advise as to your legal options. They can help to determine the most appropriate course of action in pursuit if compensation.

- Cutting Accidents

Construction workers and those in related industries often use various saws and cutting blades on a regular basis in performing their jobs. Circular saws, power saws, table saws, band saws and chainsaws are typical tools of the trade. This kind of equipment holds innate dangers, hence the heavy safety regulations governing this kind of activity. Despite these measures, however, accidents do sometimes occur and when they do, they can be devastating. It is not uncommon for a cutting accident victim to lose a finger, hand or limb. Sadly, death can result due to injuries to internal organs or loss of blood. If you have lost a loved one to such an accident, a New York job site accident lawyer can help you pursue a wrongful death claim. If you have been injured in a cutting accident due to the negligence of another or defective products, you may pursue damages for your losses and suffering.

- Elevator Accidents

Elevator accidents may occur in many ways. They can present more of a hazard on construction sites, including mining and excavating sites, as they may stand within a somewhat open shaft or be newly or partially installed. Whether you are actually performing work on the elevator, were using the elevator or were simply nearby, injury may result from unexpected complications in its operation. It may be that the cables fail and the elevator falls with you in or underneath it. You may fall into the shaft if sufficient signage or barriers are not in place. If working on an elevator, you may be struck by counterweights or caught between moving parts.

- Dumpster Accidents

The construction process often requires dumpsters be moved between locations by forklifts, trucks or other means. When worker negligence is present, the machines involved are faulty, or safety regulations are not strictly followed on the site, accidents can result. Having a dumpster land on you, cause a collapse where you are working, or clip you when it is being transported at speed, can all cause severe harm or even death. An experienced New York construction accident attorney should be consulted as soon as possible so that you can begin pursuing compensation while evidence and witnesses are still available.

- Nail Gun Accidents

Nail gun accidents can cause injuries that can be very serious and even fatal. Nail gun accidents may be caused by operating in the wrong trigger mode, using insecure hoses or the wrong compressed air, or equipment that in itself is defective. When such an accident occurs due to the negligence of another, an unsafe workplace or faulty equipment, you may be able to obtain compensation greater than a typical workers" compensation payout. This financial assistance is vital in helping you obtain the medical care you need without the financial hardship that can follow, as well as covering you for other losses. Retaining the services of a qualified New York construction accident lawyer can increase your chances of an appropriate compensation figure.

- Falls from Heights

At Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnel & Ryan LLP, we are very familiar with the potential catastrophic consequences of a high fall, having represented many clients who have been injured in such a situation. In a large number of these cases, the fall was due to negligence on the part of one or more parties who were responsible for the administration of the construction project. This negligence can be manifested in inadequate safety equipment, or a lack of proper training for those who will be working at considerable heights. If you are one of those injured in a construction accident high fall, it is recommended that you contact a New York construction accident lawyer who can attempt to recover damages on your behalf.

- Site Debris Accidents

Debris on job sites can harm workers in many situations and many ways. If there is a fire, a collapse, a gas explosion or compressor explosion, debris can be sent flying through the air at great velocity. It can contain shards of glass or heavy masses of material and travel with some velocity. Even less dramatic events can cause debris hazards – simply failing to secure or correctly handle material when working at a height can pose a great danger to those below.

- Falling Objects

Falling objects may sound like a relatively small issue but they can actually result in severe injury and even death. An item as small as a bolt may cause traumatic brain injury if it falls from a height which allows it to gain significant velocity. Large objects can cause damage even by falling a short distance. On a construction site there is a lot of heavy and sharp material present and it can be extremely hazardous. Accidents involving falling objects may occur due to a variety of circumstances, including collapses, unsecured equipment, scaffolding accidents, or forklift accidents.

- Run-Over by Operating Equipment

Amidst the intense level of activity and noise and the large variety of people, tools and machines present on a construction site, terrible accidents can sometimes occur. Tragically, it can happen that an individual on a site is run over by operating equipment, usually causing gross injuries or death. Severe internal injuries, spinal injuries resulting in full or partial paralysis, or brain damage are not uncommon effects of these incidents. Victims may also suffer lost limbs or permanent disfigurement. If you or a loved one has suffered such an accident, contact a New York construction accident lawyer immediately after arranging emergency medical treatment.

- Electrocution

Electrocution can lead to serious injuries such as burns, brain damage, and nerve damage, and in serious cases can even cause death. In the event that you have sustained an electrocution injury on a construction site, it is urged that you contact a New York construction accident attorney at Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnel & Ryan LLP. With over 5 decades of experience in representing personal injury victims, we can give you the help and support you need to have a strong chance of obtaining the highest possible money award allowed by law in your case. Many of our clients have received settlements in the hundreds of thousands, and even millions, of dollars. Our goal is to see you recompensed for your injury to the fullest extent, so that your recovery is as swift and worry-free as possible.

- Fires and Explosions

There are many risks workers take when they are working in a construction site or a jobsite that requires them to work with chemicals or other flammable materials that can possibly combust and cause a fire or explosion. If you or a loved one are the victims of such an accident, consulting with an experienced New York construction accident attorney can go far towards helping you obtain the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries. It is important to retain an attorney as soon as possible in order for us to begin our extensive investigation into the cause of the disaster. These types of incidents can be complex and have more than one negligent party responsible for the fire or explosion.

- Structure Failure

When the structure of a building has had errors involved anywhere along the line of its construction, structure failure may result. If you are working on the site when this occurs, this can have disastrous consequences. You may suffer a wide range of injuries, from broken bones to damaged organs, to spinal cord injury with devastating effects. If this has happened to you or a loved one, a New York construction accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

- Collapses on a Building Site

On a building site, as many structures are built, they can be extremely hazardous if not erected correctly and securely. A similar danger exists when parts of a building have to be demolished or rebuilt. This can affect other areas which, if not sufficiently supported, can cease to stand as expected. The use of heavy equipment and the large amount of ongoing activity at the site can worsen the risk of an accident occurring before any weaknesses can be detected.

These conditions can lead to a collapse of a stairway, floor, ceiling, wall, roof, or other structure. Such incidents can of course cause devastating injuries to those in the vicinity and in some cases they may, tragically, not survive. If you have been affected by a collapse on a construction site, contact a New York job site accident attorney right away. They can fight on your behalf and pursue the compensation you need for financial losses, medical care and recovery.

- Trench Cave-Ins and Crush Injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trench cave-in or other accident, a New York construction accident lawyer can help to determine your legal options. Depending on the specifics of the accident, you may be able to file a claim under Labor Law 240 or 241. If the incident falls under the umbrella of these laws, negligence need not be established, the owner or contractor is held responsible in any case. At Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnel & Ryan LLP, we feel strongly about defending accident victims and have, in fact, specialized in this since our inception over 50 years ago. We have over 100 years of combined experience and combine that with our enthusiasm to fight for your rights to achieve our successes.

- Compressor Accidents

Compressors are in frequent use on construction sites and due to their inherent potential danger, guidelines for their safe use have been established by OSHA. These guidelines govern the standard operating procedures of supervisors and workers alike, and where they are violated, accidents can occur. They may also take place as a result of malfunctioning or inadequately maintained compressors. Whatever the circumstances involved, a New York job site accident attorney can advise you of your legal options if you have been injured in a compressor accident. There are situations in which you have the right to file a claim for damages separate to any workers" compensation claim. Such accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and even death and you deserve to be looked after following this unfortunate experience and its dreadful consequences.

- Labor Law 240 & 241

Section 240 and Section 241 of the New York Labor Law offer protection to construction workers that can act as fundamental grounds for your personal injury claim. Section 240 demands protection for workers against falls from heights or dangers presented by falling objects that were improperly secured. Contractors and property owners are held responsible whether there was a lack of sufficient safety devices or compliance with safety rules, or none at all.

Section 241 stipulates that contractors and property owners 'provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety' for all workers and those who frequent the site. In construction, excavation, and demolition, there are countless conditions that need to be taken into account to achieve this. Taking steps to keep equipment well maintained and stored and functioning safely is a large part of this. Taking care to selecting competent sub-contractors, rather than sacrificing quality for the sake of cost is also a vital action to ensure compliance with this law.

- Workers' Compensation

The law requires that workers" compensation must be available to all workers in order that they be protected if in any way injured on the job. It also serves to prevent the courts from being overwhelmed by litigation in this area. As part of this system, workers are required to address all claims through workers" compensation and may not sue their employer except under specific circumstances. These include intentional acts of harm by your employer, including interference with your workers" compensation rights or discrimination against you for making a claim. Intentional injury by co-workers also warrants civil action. If your employer is uninsured, you may sue them for damages. You may also bring suit for an injury sustained at work that is covered by Labor Law 240 or 241 or that was caused by a third party. For example, if you were hurt by a defective product, the manufacturer or seller would generally be considered liable and could be sued. A New York workers' compensation attorney can review your options with you and represent you in the most appropriate action.

- Construction Site Supervisor Negligence

If a supervisor is fails to exercise proper caution or care in his or her duties toward the site, this constitutes negligence. This may occur by failing to enforce safety regulations, failing to take action to correct hazardous conditions, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while on the job. Failing to provide necessary safety resources is another of the countless ways in which a negligent supervisor may contribute to construction accidents. In certain circumstances, you will be able to pursue compensation beyond that standard workers" compensation award. Talk to a New York construction accident lawyer about the specifics of your case in order to determine your legal options.

- Undocumented Workers

There are many undocumented workers in New York that work diligently for their employers and produce the many goods and services that are needed. Unfortunately, many of them cannot get work visas or obtain permanent residency due to financial or legal reasons. They sadly are forced to work here illegally. Nevertheless, they also suffer injuries at times in construction or jobsite accidents and are entitled to personal injury compensation as any other worker in the U.S. would be. By consulting with a New York construction accident attorney from Lurie, Ilchert, MacDonnel & Ryan LLP, we can help you or a loved one who has been injured and protect their right to compensation.

Affiliations

American Trial Lawyers Association
New York Trial Lawyers Association
Pan_European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL)
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Partners

	Mr. George W Ilchert Managing Partner Bicycle Accident, Brain Injury, Burn Injuries, Bus Accidents, Car Accident		Mr. Robert R Mac Donnell Partner Back and Neck Injury, Bicycle Accident, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Burn Injuries
	Mr. William J Ryan Partner Bicycle Accident, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Burn Injuries, Bus Accidents