Content Reviewed By:
John Richmond, Co-Founding Member
- November 5, 2024
Niagara Falls is becoming home to a growing number of construction sites as the city’s tourism industry continues to expand. Unfortunately, with the increase in construction comes an increase in construction accidents. These accidents can result in serious injuries that have long-lasting effects on victims and their families.
If you or a loved one were injured at a Niagara Falls construction site, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses. The Niagara Falls construction accident lawyers at our nationally recognized law firm can fight for fair compensation on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. We are standing by to answer your questions in a free, no-obligation consultation.
- Why Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
- How Richmond Vona Assists Construction Accident Victims
- Damages Available For Construction Accident Cases
- Understanding Liability in Construction Accidents
- Who Is Liable For My Injuries After a Construction Accident?
- Contact Our Construction Accident Lawyers in Niagara Falls
Why Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona?
Construction companies and property owners have large legal teams and powerful insurers on their side, and they will do everything in their power to minimize the compensation they pay you. Our Niagara Falls construction accident lawyers know their tactics. We’re ready to level the playing field for you and develop a robust action plan. When you turn to us, we’ll have a team of experts and investigators prepared to mobilize quickly and protect your interests.
As a personal injury-focused law firm, we have over three decades of experience representing injured workers in Niagara Falls and beyond. Our attorneys have committed their legal careers to helping injury victims, including construction workers.
Founding partner John Richmond grew up visiting construction sites at his father’s masonry business. Further, several of our attorneys have worked on the defense side for construction companies, which gives them a unique perspective and advantage when countering defense tactics in these cases.
Our case results and client testimonials reflect our track record of success in helping construction workers and other accident victims secure fair compensation for their injuries and losses. We’ve recovered more than $175 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including:
- $600,000 for a serious construction site injury
- $200,000 for a slip and fall injury
- $125,000 for a premises liability case
- Six-figure for a violation of building codes
How Richmond Vona Assists Construction Accident Victims
Our primary goal is to seek the maximum compensation available for your construction accident injuries so you can rebuild your life to the fullest extent possible. To do this, we will thoroughly investigate the accident and determine who is responsible. We’ll collect comprehensive evidence to support our argument for liability and damages, including incident reports, medical records, witness testimonies, and any available video footage. With this information, our Niagara Falls construction accident attorneys will build a strong case to advocate for your rights.
We often settle construction accident cases without going to trial. Our skilled negotiators know how to argue for the compensation you deserve, and we will use our advocacy skills to convince the responsible party’s insurance company to offer a fair settlement.
However, we are also serious trial attorneys who fearlessly take our cases to court if necessary. In some situations, going to trial may be the best option for obtaining full and fair compensation, but we will always discuss this decision with you and keep your best interests in mind.
Compliance with Legal Requirements
We’ll also make sure your case complies with all applicable legal requirements. This includes filing before the New York personal injury statute of limitations passes. Most personal injury claims in New York have a three-year statute of limitations, meaning you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
If you’re filing a claim against the state government or a municipality, the deadline is shortened to one year and 90 days. Prompt action is crucial in these cases, and our experienced lawyers will work efficiently to file your claim on time.
Damages Available For Construction Accident Cases
If you qualify to file a Niagara Falls construction accident lawsuit, you could receive compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses, such as hospital bills, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and medication.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity due to your injury’s impact on your ability to work.
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering.
- Disfigurement or scarring resulting from the accident.
- Loss of consortium, which refers to the impact of your injury on your relationship with your spouse or family members.
- Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injury has significantly affected your ability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed.
- Wrongful death if your loved one was killed in a construction accident.
Calculating these damages can be complex, but our Niagara Falls construction accident lawyers have the knowledge and resources to determine the full extent of your losses. We will explore all potential routes toward compensation, including workers’ compensation and the possibility of suing negligent third parties.
Understanding Liability in Construction Accidents
New York Labor Laws establish strict safety standards for construction sites to reduce the risk of catastrophic injuries. They also help set a baseline for determining liability in a construction accident.
Section 200, for example, establishes site owners’ and general contractors’ duty to provide a safe workplace for construction workers. This law often forms the foundation of liability in construction accidents by holding these parties responsible for implementing proper safety measures.
Section 240, also known as the “Scaffold Law,” further defines the safety measures that owners and contractors must implement to protect construction workers from height-related risks. Other parts of the state’s labor laws, such as Section 241, similarly outline specific safety requirements for construction, excavation, and demolition work.
Any violation of these laws can result in strict liability for the party responsible for implementing safety measures. This means they can be held liable for damages regardless of whether their negligence caused the accident. This strategic benefit of strict liability is often critical to securing compensation in construction accidents, where multiple parties are often involved and determining liability can be challenging.
Who Is Liable For My Injuries After a Construction Accident?
Construction accident injury claims require the injured party to prove that the responsible party failed to uphold their legal duty of care or violated a strict liability statute. Many parties, from general contractors to equipment manufacturers, can potentially be liable for a construction accident injury. Often, multiple parties share liability for a construction accident.
General Contractors and Site Owners
General contractors and site owners must ensure overall safety compliance. This largely involves implementing and enforcing safety training and protocols.
Liability Under New York Scaffolding Laws (Section 240)
Construction sites that require workers to work at heights must comply with Section 240 of New York State’s Labor Law. Anyone overseeing work at elevated heights must ensure proper scaffolding setup and maintenance.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors are responsible for adhering to the main contractor’s safety policies and conducting specific task training for their crew. They may be jointly liable with contractors for accidents that occur due to negligence. They are also subject to fines for violating safety regulations.
Engineers and Architects
Engineers and architects must design structures according to safety standards, but their duty extends beyond the design phase. They often must also conduct regular construction site inspections to ensure compliance with plans. They can be liable for design flaws that cause accidents and may also face professional accountability for oversight failures.
Equipment Manufacturers
Companies manufacturing construction equipment are responsible for producing and supplying equipment that meets safety standards. Equipment manufacturers must also provide adequate usage instructions and warnings with their equipment. These companies may be liable for injuries resulting from defective products. They may also be subject to recalls and penalties for non-compliance with safety standards.
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This law firm goes above and beyond to fight for you. Their entire team treats you with respect and truly cares about your well-being. Look no further if you need a personal injury lawyer.
John Richmond and the team at Richmond Vona did an incredible job with my complicated personal injury case. They made sure no stone was unturned and got me the settlement I deserved for my situation. They treat you well, explain everything you need to know and more so you are always in the loop about the status of your case. John was easy to get in touch with anytime during the process and made signing paperwork easy and understandable. Their entire staff is professional and helpful throughout the process These guys are fair, trustworthy, and will stand up for you!
This firm’s attention to detail is second to none. It’s evident that they are true professionals and really care about their injured clients. This is the firm to call if you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence.
RELATED PAGES
- How To Prove Fault: Four Elements of a Successful Negligence Claim
- Understanding Personal Injury Law: What Is Assumption of Risk?
- What Is the Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in New York?
- Will My Personal Injury Claim Go to Trial?
- What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury in New York?
- What Are the Most Common Injuries in Construction Accidents?
- Shoulder Injuries Caused by Construction Worker Accidents
- What Are Common Types of Construction Accidents?
Contact Our Construction Accident Lawyers in Niagara Falls
You’re not alone if you’ve been injured in a construction accident. At Richmond Vona, we’re here to serve as your trusted legal advocates during your time of need. Our construction accident lawyers in Niagara Falls, NY, want to help you get the compensation you deserve after an accident. Whether you fell from scaffolding, were struck by a falling object, or were injured by faulty equipment, we have what it takes to get results.
Get started today by contacting our team for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case, and there are zero out-of-pocket fees. There’s no risk in contacting us, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help by calling (716) 500-5678 or filling out our online contact form.
