Working on a construction site in Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan involves risks, but New York State law (especially the famous Scaffold Law) gives workers powerful protection tools. Unfortunately, one mistake right after an incident can cost you the money you are owed. As your attorney, I explain what you must do to secure your family’s future.
Reporting is the absolute foundation
Do not let yourself be intimidated by a supervisor who asks you “not to make a fuss” and not to call an ambulance. An official accident report is your most important piece of evidence. Without documentation, the building owner’s insurance company will claim the incident never happened at all.
Workers’ Comp is not everything
Many Poles think that Workers’ Compensation (covering medical treatment and part of your wages) is the only money they can get. That is a mistake. If the accident resulted from negligence (e.g., lack of railings, defective scaffolding, slippery floor), you can sue the building owner or general contractor for [INTERNAL LINK: additional compensation for pain and suffering]. These amounts often reach millions of dollars.
What to secure at the scene of the incident?
- Photos of the accident scene (even with your phone).
- Witness details (names and phone numbers of coworkers).
- The name of the general contractor company visible on information boards.
Do not sign any settlements without consulting a lawyer. Call Heller Law Firm before you make a decision.
