New York City is known for its bitter-cold winters featuring their fair share of snow and ice. Unfortunately, this sometimes leads to construction workers in the Big Apple sustaining serious injuries. If you suffered injuries after encountering a winter weather hazard on a job site, consider hiring a construction accident lawyer in Queens, NY.
A New York construction accident lawyer will check whether your company may have broken any laws regarding winter weather hazards on job sites. If it did, you might be entitled to collect compensation to cover medical bills and other accident-related expenses.
These laws protect construction workers from hazards like slippery surfaces coated with snow and ice. Learn more about these laws and discover how they help those who work in NYC’s fast-paced construction industry.
What Are the NYC Construction Laws That Address Winter Weather Hazards on Job Sites?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20,000 American workers sustain injuries caused by winter weather hazards like ice, snow, and sleet annually. About 14% of them suffer injuries while working in New York. This amounts to about four injury incidents for every 10,000 workers in NY.
While this number might seem low, lawmakers in the Empire State have enacted laws to help those who work outside in the wintertime. They have established laws to protect construction workers from the inherently dangerous winter weather hazards they face.
Under NYC Administrative Code §28-301.1, winterizing construction sites in NYC is legally required. To do this, construction companies must:
- Remove snow and ice from job sites before working on them.
- Steer clear of using scaffolding covered with snow or ice.
- Avoid utilizing personnel hoists during heavy snowfalls or wintry winds above 35 miles per hour.
Construction companies also must comply with NYC Fire Code §1403 when using temporary heating equipment to keep workers warm and dry on construction sites. They may encounter fines and other penalties if they fail to adhere to the construction laws explicitly created to maintain safety on job sites throughout the winter.
How Might Construction Companies Break These Laws?
The majority of construction companies in New York City play by the rules during the winter and follow the laws created to keep construction sites safe. However, some companies cut corners and risk their employees’ safety by exposing them to dangerous conditions despite the existence of these laws.
Here are several ways these companies break laws:
- Failing to remove snow and ice from construction sites regularly
- Asking employees to work on scaffolds and other slippery surfaces with snow and ice on them
- Instructing employees to use personnel hoists and other equipment not designed for use during winter storms
Some companies also take creative steps to keep their job sites warm without considering how unsafe temporary heating solutions might be.
What Should You Do If a Winter Weather Hazard Injures You on a Construction Job Site?
If you believe a company may have put your safety at risk by breaking laws and caused you to sustain serious injuries, discuss the situation with a New York construction accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney will speak with you about filing a workers’ compensation claim or another legal claim.
First, make sure you take the following steps so you have all the information to create a compelling legal case:
- File an incident report with your employer to document your injuries and the actions that led to your job site accident
- Seek medical attention and ask medical professionals to provide you with detailed injury documentation
- Document the scene of your construction site accident by taking photographs and videos with a smartphone
You should also talk to anyone who may have witnessed your accident and have them explain what they saw. If you choose to take legal action later, your workplace injury lawyer will likely want to hear what they have to say. They might even include them as key witnesses in your case.
Who Should You Hire To Provide Legal Representation After a Construction Site Accident in NYC?
Finding an occupational hazard attorney in NYC to handle a case isn’t difficult. The City That Never Sleeps has plenty of attorneys capable of delivering legal representation.
However, you shouldn’t simply work with the first New York construction accident lawyer you find. Instead, seek a reputable lawyer from a well-established law firm like Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, to assist. This will allow you to explore your legal options quickly.
Contact Us To Start a Case With Help From a New York Construction Accident Lawyer
Avoiding the deadliest construction hazards might be difficult if your company doesn’t follow NYC’s construction laws. One of these hazards could cause you to sustain serious injuries.
Elliot Ifraimoff & Associates, PC, will set you up with an experienced New York construction accident lawyer and help you seek the compensation you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Call us at (718) 205-1010 today for a free consultation.
FAQs
Do you have more questions about what to do after sustaining injuries on a construction site in NYC this winter? See if you can find answers to them below.
Do I Need To Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer in New York?
You don’t need to hire a construction accident lawyer in New York after sustaining injuries on a job site, but you should consider doing it. They will evaluate your case and inform you about your possible legal options.
How Will Hiring a New York Construction Accident Attorney Benefit Me?
Hiring a New York construction accident attorney will benefit you by helping determine how strong of a legal case you might have. It will also assist you in taking legal action in the aftermath of an accident.
What Does It Cost To Hire a New York Construction Accident Lawyer?
There isn’t usually an immediate cost to hire a New York construction accident lawyer. Your attorney will instead collect a percentage of any settlement or judgment they earn for you on a contingency basis.