Long Island Construction Accident Lawyer
Despite advances in workplace safety, construction sites continue to pose a threat to workers. Construction zones are inherently risky due to the presence of heavy machinery and many operations that require keenness. Construction accidents often leave victims grappling with serious injuries which greatly change the dynamics of their daily lives. When injured on a construction site on Long Island, hire a construction accident attorney soon after the incident for legal advice.
Our legal professionals have handled thousands of accident injury cases and have won significant settlements for our clients. Additionally, The Barnes Firm has over 500 years of combined experience. As such, we have the capacity and resources to handle construction accident claims. Don’t hesitate to reach out today for a free case evaluation.
Why Trust Us With Your Construction Accident Claim?
We stand apart from the commonplace approach of law firms relying on mere promises to attract clients. The evidence of our success in personal injury cases is grounded in the tangible achievements we have won for our clients. Here is why you need to trust our firm with your claim.
Proven Track Record
Our law firm takes pride in its proven track record of successfully handling construction accident claims. We have handled over 150,000 accident cases so far, and this demonstrates our effectiveness in securing a favorable outcome for you.
Client-Centric Approach
We prioritize our clients above all else. Our approach revolves around understanding your unique needs and concerns. Thus, we ensure that every aspect of your case is tailored to address your specific situation.
Free Initial Consultation
Embarking on your legal journey with us comes at no initial cost to you. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, ask questions, and gain insights into your legal options without any financial commitment.
Don’t Pay Until We Win
Your peace of mind matters to us. We understand the financial difficulty that comes with accident injuries. As such, we want our clients to be able to pursue their rights without minding the financial obligation of the legal claim. You will only pay your lawyer after we secure a victory.
Huge Team of Attorneys
With a substantial team of over 40 attorneys, we bring a wealth of legal knowledge and skills to the table. The collective knowledge of our legal team ensures that your case is handled thoroughly and professionally.
Unique Case Approach
From the past cases we have handled, we can almost guarantee that every case is unique. Therefore, we adopt a unique approach to address your specific construction accident claim. Your case receives personalized attention so that our strategy helps us maximize your recovery.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Construction Injury?
Recovering damages for a construction injury involves considering various factors related to the incident and its impact on the injured party. The types of damages that you may pursue include:
- Medical expenses to cover current and future medical bills.
- Income lost during the recovery period.
- Physical and emotional distress endured.
- Disfigurement or scarring.
- Permanent disability in case the construction injury leads to permanent disability or impairment.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death damages such as the emotional impact of losing a loved one, funeral expenses, loss of financial support, etc
Who Is Liable for a Construction Accident?
When handling a construction accident claim on Long Island, several parties are possibly liable. Liability can extend to one of several of the following:
Construction Company
The primary entity overseeing the construction project is often held accountable. This includes putting proper safety measures in place, ensuring workers are adequately trained, and maintaining a safe working environment. Negligence on the part of the construction company may result in liability for accidents that occur on the site.
Property Owner
The property owner may be responsible for a construction accident, especially if they are actively involved in the project or fail to address known hazards on the premises. Property owners are generally obligated to provide a safe environment for workers and visitors.
Equipment Manufacturers
Manufacturers of construction equipment and machinery can be held liable if a defect in their equipment contributes to an accident. Such defects may include:
- Design flaws
- Manufacturing defects
- Inadequate warnings about the proper use of the equipment
Any Other Negligent Party
Liability may extend to third parties whose negligence contributes to a construction accident. This could involve subcontractors, architects, engineers, or suppliers who fail to adhere to industry standards or safety regulations, resulting in an unsafe working environment.
Third-Party Construction Injury Claims
A third party refers to any entity other than the injured construction worker’s direct employer. These third parties may play diverse roles within a construction project and could encompass various entities, such as:
- The property owners who fail to maintain a safe working environment,
- Contractors or subcontractors involved If their actions or negligence lead to a construction accident, they may be held accountable for the damages incurred.
- Equipment operators, if their negligent actions contribute to an accident
- Manufacturers of defective equipment if their products are found to be defective
- Architects and engineers for designs or recommendations that contribute to unsafe conditions.
When a construction worker suffers injuries and losses as result of the negligence of a third party, they may have the right to pursue a third-party construction injury claim. Unlike workers’ compensation claims, which generally involve the direct employer, third-party claims allow injured workers to seek compensation from other responsible parties involved in the construction project.
Special Liability Rules Apply to Some Construction Fall Injuries
Construction fall injuries feature special liability rules. On Long Island, New York, construction fall injuries may trigger the “Scaffolding Law” or “Gravity-Related Injury Law.” This is New York Labor Law 240, which imposes strict liability on owners, contractors, and their agents involved in construction projects. Strict liability means that these parties may be held responsible for any fall injuries that occur on their property, regardless of fault or negligence.
In addition, property owners in New York are held responsible for falls that happen on their property through premises liability law. This means that the owner of the construction site can be held responsible for injuries resulting from falls, even if they can demonstrate that they took reasonable precautions or were not overtly negligent. Strict liability is often applied to inherently dangerous activities within the construction industry.
It is not uncommon for joint and several liability to come into play with falls in construction accidents. This allows the victim to seek damages from the responsible parties, regardless of each party’s individual degree of fault. This can be particularly important in construction fall cases where liability may be shared among various entities.
The purpose of these laws is to enforce construction site safety as much as possible for workers and others present on the site. They place a high burden on property owners and other responsible parties to properly maintain and secure scaffolding, ladders, and other elevated work areas. Your Long Island construction accident lawyer will look into the specific issues about your claim, determine the applicable liability rules and guide you through the claim process to pursue justice.
What Types of Construction Accidents May Qualify for Compensation?
Various types of construction accidents may qualify for compensation, depending on the circumstances and liability. The common types of construction accidents include:
- Falls from heights
- Struck by objects
- Electrocutions
- Machinery accidents
- Trench collapses
- Slips and trips due to uneven surfaces, debris, or wet conditions
- Chemical exposures
- Fire and explosions due to activities involving open flames or combustible materials
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Collapse of structures
Seeking compensation for construction accidents often involves going through various legal processes. You should consult with a Long Island construction accident Lawyer to assess your eligibility for compensation and pursue the appropriate legal avenues to secure fair recovery.
You Have a Limited Time to File Your Long Island Construction Accident Lawsuit
If a construction accident on Long Island has injured you, understand that you have limited time to file a lawsuit for compensation.
In Long Island, the statute of limitations sets the time limit within which to file personal injury lawsuits to three years from the accident date and 2 years for wrongful death claims. This means that you must bring your lawsuit within this timeframe, otherwise you will lose the legal right to seek damages.
However, these time limits may vary depending on various circumstances around your case, so it is advisable to hire a construction accident attorney on Long Island to determine the deadlines that apply to your situation.
Recent Long Island Construction Accident Settlements
Our Long Island construction accident attorneys have recovered significant compensation for injured workers and others hurt on construction sites. Recent results include:
- $700,000 for a client who tripped and fell at a construction site, sustaining hand and wrist injuries.
- $375,000 for a client who fell down stairs at a construction site, sustaining brain, arm, leg, and ear injuries.
- $300,000 for a client who fell multiple rungs off a ladder, after the ladder slipped out from under them.
Consult a Long Island Construction Accident Attorney Today
Handling a long construction accident claim can be overwhelming. This is because there is a mix of applicable laws from the state to federal laws on Long Island, NY. Additionally, your claim will require an assessment by a Long Island construction accident lawyer to determine its viability before proceeding with the claim. At our firm, we can help with building a robust strategy to ensure your claim achieves a positive result. If you need help after a construction accident on Long Island, don’t hesitate to contact us. Call the Barnes Firm today at (800) 800-0000 to book a free case evaluation.
Our Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys at The Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys help victims from New York. Our firm is conveniently located near you. We have an office on Long Island at 600 Old Country Rd # 425, Garden City, NY 11530. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 40.742689431275515, -73.61562473548132
Our team of attorneys want to hear from you.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, construction accident, or have suffered another type of personal injury contact our team today.
Free Case Evaluation or call us: (800) 800-0000Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Nichole W.
The Barnes Firm was very friendly, always quick to respond to our calls, emails. When we had any questions or concerns they were there to walk us through everything. Would definitely recommend them to anyone that is looking for an attorney that will honestly fight for you and has your best interest in mind.
Answers to Your Long Island Construction Accident FAQs
The first thing you should do if you or one of your crew members are injured at a Long Island job site is notify your employer about the accident. You must notify your employer verbally or with written notice within 30 days of the accident occurring if you intend to pursue a workers’ compensation claim. When you provide this notice, your employer should give you an accident report to fill out. This report is an important piece of evidence. There should be no guesswork or opinions in an accident report — it should be your account of how the accident happened, not why you believe it happened. Only sign an accident report after you have read through it and made any necessary changes. Then, take a picture of every page of the report to have a record of your statements.
Regardless of the extent of your injuries, you should always fill out an accident report. It can sometimes take days or weeks for pain and injuries to appear, and filling out an accident report preserves your right, at a minimum, to make a workers’ compensation claim.
Yes, you should always seek medical treatment no matter how minor you believe your injury to be. Do not ignore your injuries and hope they get better on their own. Ignoring an injury can lead to it getting worse and delay your recovery. After an accident at a Long Island construction site, it is always in your best interest to visit a hospital, urgent care center, or your primary care doctor on Long Island to get a full assessment of your injuries and a treatment plan.
Even without evidence, you can still file certain claims, but any evidence you can gather is always helpful. If you can, the following pieces of evidence can help support your claim:
- Pictures and videos of the construction site, the condition that caused your accident, the accident location after your accident, and your injuries. If you cannot gather photos or videos yourself, reach out to a coworker on-site and ask them to take a photo or video for you.
- Witnesses who saw how the accident occurred, or the aftermath of the accident, can help your claim. It is important to gather their personal information, such as full name, phone number, and email address.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides medical and wage benefits to employees who have been injured on the job, including construction workers on Long Island. The Barnes Firm does not handle workers’ compensation claims directly — our focus is on the third-party personal injury claim described below. If you need to file a workers’ compensation claim, you should also consult with an attorney who specifically handles workers’ compensation matters. That said, here is some general information so you understand how workers’ compensation works alongside any personal injury claim we may pursue on your behalf.
These claims generally provide:
- 100% coverage of medical bills, including copays and deductibles.
- Up to 2/3 of your average weekly wage, tax-free, for the period you are deemed disabled, subject to the state’s maximum benefit cap.
In order to file a workers’ compensation claim, you must:
- Notify your employer within 30 days of the accident.
- Provide documentation from your doctor or medical provider indicating you are injured.
- File a C-3 document within 2 years of your accident.
Employers may try to discourage employees from filing a workers’ compensation claim. It is illegal for an employer to tell an employee not to file a workers’ compensation claim, and an employer cannot retaliate against or fire an employee for filing one.
Personal Injury Claim
Depending on how the accident occurred, you may be able to file a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim — this is the type of claim The Barnes Firm handles. Your personal injury claim for a Long Island construction accident will be based on New York’s Labor Law. This allows you to pursue a claim against certain entities affiliated with the job site — such as the property owner or general contractor — for failing to provide you with safety devices to perform your work, or for failing to provide you with a safe place to work. Your personal injury claim will consist of past and future pain and suffering related to your injuries, all the medical treatment you needed, and past and future lost wages, including any money you believe you were entitled to, as well as your annuity, pension, and other parts of your benefits package.
It is important to note that you only have three years to file a personal injury claim in New York. You can have both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim at the same time, even though our firm handles only the latter.
If a construction accident on Long Island results in a fatality, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim. New York law gives you two years from the date of death to file, which is shorter than the three-year deadline for a standard personal injury claim. A wrongful death claim can seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and other losses tied to the death.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so being partially at fault will not prevent you from recovering compensation — no matter how large your share of the fault is. Your total award is instead reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20%, but you can still recover the remaining 80%.
Written by The Barnes Firm, reviewed by Richard Barnes
Speak with a lawyer now Available 24/7
Getting our clients the best results possible.
or call us at
(800) 800-0000 
"Jake Otis was excellent!!! I won my case because of his due diligence and now I am able to be at peace. Thank you so much Barnes Firm. 5 stars all across the board. Than...
Anonyumus C.
"I had the privilege of working with Mike Barchak as my personal injury attorney, and his impact on my lawsuit was nothing short of transformative. His expertise shone th...
Ashley E.
"My experience was great, Mike B. and Maria Were great!!! Their Communication was phenomenal!!! I will recommend them highly!!! Personal Thank You Mike and Maria!!!!!!!"
Aurora Bettis
"Good attorneys. Attorney Jake Otis Settled for 12 times what previous lawyer suggested I accept. Mr. Otis was Always available to answer questions & kept me informed...
Bc54 A
"Robert Siegal handled my case efficiently and kept me in the loop where needed. Everything was stress free. I’d recommend him to anyone."
Buse A.
"Just want to share my sincere “thank yous” to the Barnes team! Especially Jake Otis, who handled my case! His abilities, professionalism and tenacity are qualities t...
Charlie C.
"I want to give Jake A Big Thank You To Jake & His Team For Being An Amazing Team"
Chontel Williams
"I can't thank the Barnes Firm enough! Their firm represented me over a four year period following my slip and fall accident during the winter of 2021. My attorneys, Jake...
Cynthia H.
"Never being involved with a car accident before I had no idea where to begin. I was injured and overwhelmed by the process. After being guided to the Barnes firm I was p...
Daniel M.
"My lawyer was Mike Barchak from The Barnes Firm. He was great he explained everything in detail and kept me informed and let me know what was the next step. Mike made me...
David B.
"I just wanted to say thank you to Mike Barchak. This firm is amazing every time I had surgery he would call and wish me luck. He’s an amazing attorney. Any questions I...
Dawn
"My attorney was always reachable. He made me feel confident being represented by him. He had my best interest in mind and worked hard to obtain the best possible outcome...
Dena Eisenberg
"Jake Otis was an exceptional help during the entire process! Definitely recommend his services!"
Diana F.
"I cannot say enough about The Barnes Firm. My attorney, Mr. Robert Seigal and his team were the best. They were professional and assisted me with anything I needed. They...
Diane
"Mr Joseph Capetola is a credit to The Barnes Firm. He always kept me up to date on my case , as to proceedings, filings, court dates, etc. Mr Capetola always took my cal...
Dorothy B
"My attorney was excellent. Always available to explain any concerns. I want to thank my attorney and the Barnes firm in my injury lawsuit. Specially my attorney. The bes...
Edna White
"If you are ever in need of a personal injury attorney, I would highly recommend Robert Siegal who is with The Barnes Firm. He makes a very difficult situation so much le...
Eileen A.
"I had a great experience with The Barnes Firm. Mr Robert Siegel and staff were excellent communicators, keeping me informed every step of the way. He took time to hear m...
Elisa N.
"They answered all my questions in a timely matter, very professional and helped out with court and everything esle. In the furture if I would need another attorney I wou...
Elle M.
"Mike Barchak, Esq. from the Barnes firm was super helpful and professional, 10/10 would recommend for your personal injury case"
Emmanuel “Manny” Rivera
"Great experience with Robert Seigal at the Barnes Firm."
G. Sira
"Jake is the best. A true credit to his profession. A true gentleman as well. Completely satisfied"
Glenn H.
"They fought EVERYTHING I deserved. They are professional , respectful , knowledgeable, and explained to me . All of my options. And kept me informed. Through the whole p...
Greg S
"My lawyer was Jake and he helped me immensely with getting compensation for my personal injury."
h ]
"My experience was excellent. Robert truly knows what he is talking about and, unlike many other lawyers, he was never pushy. His expertise and professionalism gave me co...
harneet chhatwal
"Mr. Otis handled my case and I'm very satisfied with every aspect involved. He was responsive and diligent, and my interests were always his first concern."
Holden C.
"My lawyer is Mike Barchak, amazing man he gets things done quick and stays in contact with u , in a year everything was done, I recommend him highly."
Ikira D.
"My experience with The Barnes Firm started pre-COVID. However, Robert Seigal, Esq. made sure everything worked out without a hitch. Robert made the process effortless, e...
Jack M.
"The attorney assigned to me, Robert SIEGAL, was awesome. He was always there to answer any questions and was always fighting for me. He was available on weekends and whe...
Janine R.
"My attorney Mike Barchak did a great job in dealing with auto accident case . Maria Labra was also very efficient with handling the communication aspect."
Jayashree Thiruverkadu
"The Barnes Firm is the place to go! My mother had an amazing experience with them all. Mike Barchak is the person to ask for. Their staff are very attentive and will kee...
Jennyfer H.
"Very satisfied with the services received from The Barnes Firm. Mike Barchak was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the process. When I was in the Garden City off...
Joe F.
"My personal Injury Attorney was Jake Otis, he provided accurate timely advise and encouragement throughout the process. He is a true gentleman , his knowledge and profes...
Joseph F.
"The Barnes Firm is very easy to communicate with very professional and won my case and got me my settlement. Thank You"
Joseph T.
"The Barnes Firm was incredibly helpful with the lawsuit for my car crash. Robert Seigal was my personal injury lawyer and he was extremely helpful and put in effort to g...
Karamat Ali
"I cannot express enough gratitude for The Barnes Injury Firm and their exceptional dedication and commitment to securing the best possible settlement for my motor vehicl...
Katea D.
"I had an amazing experience with Robert Siegel at The Barnes Firm. When other firms said I didn't have a case, Robert said I did. He always took the time to answer my qu...
Kathleen O.
"They we're so great the barns firm and Jake Otis took my case. They was able to win in my favor. I appreciate how good they took care of me. I've been telling people abo...
koron Spencer
"I really recommend The Barnes Firm, especially Joseph Capetola. He was my lawyer during my no fault case, he is a great human being and the best lawyer to fight for your...
La S.
"The Barnes Firm has the best injury Attorneys. Mike Barchak was my attorney and was very nice and very helpful. I highly recommend them"
Lindsey Daniels
"My personal injury attorney was Mike Barchak and I was very satisfied with his communication with me along the way, as well as his thorough knowledge of my specific case...
Lis L.
"Robert Siegal is my attorney. He represented me after a car accident and was awesome. I drive him a little crazy in the beginning, but he was really cool and easy to wor...
LORI DANNA
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Mike Barchak from The Barnes Firm after my mother was seriously injured in a fall. I can’t thank him enough for always maki...
Lynn B.
"It was a very good experience. And the staff is very helpful and loyal. I would highly recommend them for any vehicle accident."
Malveline R.
"Very professional, highly recommend the company. Service quality is exceptional and exceeded my expectations."
Maritza P.
"I would strongly recommend anyone in need of prompt, professional, aggressive, and knowledgeable representation to contact, Mike Barchak from the Barnes firm. I am forev...
Maurizio L.
"My personal injury lawyer was Mike Barchak and they helped me with my car accident lawsuit. I can’t thank them enough!"
Merissa B.
"I think my lawyer Mike and his assistant Maria did an excellent job dealing with my case. I know it wasn’t easy trying to work with the people we were dealing with, bu...
Michelle S.
"I cannot thank The Barnes Firm enough for the outstanding work they did on my case. After dealing with another law firm where my case had been stuck due to a lack of att...
Moiz Ahmad
"After my wife was involved in an accident, we reached out to The Barnes Firm for help with her personal injury claim. That’s when we were connected with attorney Mike ...
Monil S.
"Rob was exceptionally swift in making this such a seamless process. Zoya was ready to assist at any moments notice. Truly grateful for them both and the firm!"
Nahtasha W.
"Very Satisfied with this law firm. Joe did an exceptional job getting me a settlement that I never expected. I would definitely recommend using The Barnes Firm."
Nandy C.
"Everything went well from beginning to end. Jake was very helpful and explained everything very thoroughly."
Nick Zarzana
"This has been a long process and Rob Segiel has been there every step of the way. Kept me up to date the whole time with great patience and constantly responsive. Could ...
Noreen Lowery
"I highly recommend The Barnes Firm. I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Robert Seigal. Considering that I didn’t have a “big” case, I was made to feel that my c...
Philesha L.
"Thank you to The Barnes Firm. Robert did a good job with handling my case. Everyone at the office was helpful and nice. Highly recommend."
Rashad M.
"My Attorney Mike Barchak was very helpful and helped win our injury case he took us through each step and gave great advice. I highly recommend him and the firm."
Robert D.
"The minute I had my initial in person consultation with Jake I knew that my attorney search was over. Not only is he a knowledgeable and hard-working lawyer, he is extre...
Robin S.
"Jake was super professional and kept me up to date. I will refer The Barnes firm and Jake to anyone that needs one. Thank you"
Ross C.
"The Barnes Firm is great and make the legal process quick and easy."
Ryan A.
"I cannot say enough great things about my lawyer Rob Seigal at The Barnes firm. I was injured in a bad car accident and luckily when I called I got him. He was so on poi...
Saltwater and Sunshines
"My entire experience with Robert Seigal at the Barnes firm was great . He had great communication and fought hard for my case."
Samantha W.
"My personal injury lawyer was Robert Siegel and he helped me with my lawsuit. I can’t thank him enough!what a wonderful team great communication and went above and bey...
Saysha Salgado
"My wife got the number from a commercial on tv so we called and we meet up the next day with Rob Seigal from The Barnes Firm. He was very knowledgeable and answered all ...
Stephanie A.
"Mike was great! He listened to my case and moved quickly! Fought for me to get what I deserved."
Stephanie L.
"Attorney Seigal was really great. Very hands on & helped me to get what I deserved. He was patient and understanding throughout the entire process. He was eager to e...
Style O.
"Robert Siegel was a big help in winning my case. He took time to hear my story about what happened and realized that my case was also a workman’s compensation case. I ...
Tania R.
"My personal attorney Joe Capitola was the best. I had never been in a lawsuit before and didn't really know what to expect. Throughout the past 3 years he never pushed m...
Thomas J Schlitz
"Exceptional, professionalism, rapid response every single time I reached out!! 5 stars, highly recommend the Barnes firm, Rob was Great!!"
Tom S.
"My experience with the Barnes Firm was phenomenal and very efficient. My personal injury lawyer was Mr Mike Barchak. He was very professional, kind, and he worked effect...
Trerriann Witter
"Jake Otis served as my Personal Injury lawyer. He was conscientious, focused, assertive and most importantly, effective. He is also a pleasure to work with. I am truly g...
Valerie C.
"Robert Seigal and his team did an excellent job with my case. The Barnes Firm injury attorneys is who you should call for all you injury cases and more."
Victor R.
"I'm very happy with my attorney Mike Barchak. He's very efficient and keeps me up to date on the progress of my lawsuits. As I've already done, I would recommend him to ...