New York Falling Object Lawyers

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. Property owners should keep their premises reasonably safe for anyone who enters them. So if an object falls and causes you harm, you might be entitled to compensation. 

Hill & Moin has been fighting for the rights of New York residents for more than 35 years. We are more than Super Lawyers®, honored among the top 5 percent of New York personal injury lawyers. As some of our clients have told us, we can be viewed as family – family who can help use New York law to protect your rights.

A caring falling object accident attorney can listen to your story. To find out what compensation and damages you qualify for, contact us for a free consultation. To better understand why someone may be liable for falling object injuries, let’s look at some guidelines that minimize falling object hazards. 

How to Reduce the Risk of Falling Object Accidents

According to the International Safety Equipment Association, aviation, construction, energy, gas, oil, shipping, telecommunications industries “have been especially susceptible to the risk of dropped objects.” 

Implementing safety guidelines may substantially reduce the danger of falling object accidents:

• Assess the area for hazards before beginning a fall risk job (e.g. out-of-service elevators, blocks, bricks, ropes, tools) 
• Check the weather report – High winds can blow heavy objects
• Wear properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats
• Designate drop zones if falling objects are an unavoidable part of the task
• Anchor and tether your tools and equipment
• Keep smaller items in anchored containers
• Train yourself or your construction workers to recognize falling object hazards and how to work within drop zones
• Set up a visual or audible communication system to alert others of a drop or falling object 
• Direct traffic, including pedestrians, around construction drop zones
• Make an advance emergency plan in case of a construction site incident

According to an OSHA bulletin, tree care work is dangerous, but the following federal guidelines may help reduce the risk: 

• Have an arborist survey the area and trees in advance for possible hazards
• Determine if rigging is necessary to prevent branches from falling while cutting tree limbs
• Stay 10 feet from electric lines when performing tree care or make sure the utility company de-energizes and grounds the lines

The same bulletin shares an example of a fatal falling object injury: A tree care worker walked underneath a drop zone just as a trimmer cut a piece of a limb. He died from his head injuries. Such incidents raise questions of liability. Employers must provide protection for each employee exposed to falling object hazards and follow federal construction guidelines. 

Thus, a personal injury lawyer hearing about the case might investigate what factors contributed to the falling object accident: 

• Did the employer provide PPE? 
• If the injured worker was wearing PPE, was it appropriate for the environment? 
• Was the trimming area marked as a drop zone? 
• Was the trimmer trained to give signals to communicate falling objects to passersby? 
• If so, did the tree trimmer fail to warn his fellow worker?

Why not invite an experienced personal injury lawyer to listen to your falling object story? He or she can walk you through the steps you should take to recover compensation for your injuries.

What to Do If You Are Injured By Falling Objects in New York

First of all, seek medical attention as soon as possible if a falling object hits you. A healthcare professional can treat your injuries and provide documentation of your accident. 

Falling objects can be found anywhere, not just on construction sites. Common resulting injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Broken bones
• Concussions and other head injuries
• Crushing injuries (i.e. bleeding, bruising, compartment syndrome, fractures, wounds, nerve damage, infection)
• Disfigurement
• Eye injuries
• Lost limbs
• Spinal cord, neck, or back damage

Next, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your options. Sharing the details that lead up to your accident can help determine your best course of action. 

What Compensation You Should Seek For Falling Object Injuries 

In 2019, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 17 percent increase in workers struck by falling objects or equipment on construction sites. Of these, construction site workers are among the most vulnerable. If you are a construction worker who has been injured by a falling object, you may wonder how to pay your medical bills and other expenses.

If you were injured at your workplace

Construction sites, in particular, may contain a large number of unsecured objects. If you were injured by a falling object at work, New York attorneys can help you file a workers’ compensation insurance claim. Furthermore, if there was a failure to provide you with proper protection from falling objects, the construction site owner and general contractor may be strictly liable in a third party claim.

Indemnity benefits pay a portion of your lost wages while you recover and receive treatment. The amount you receive is based on your average weekly wages from before your accident and your degree of disability. 

Even if you are an undocumented worker, you could receive benefits. Workers’ comp offers vocational rehabilitation counselors and social workers to help you return to work or cope with disabilities. Workers’ compensation should also cover your medical bills, though you may be limited to specific healthcare providers. 

Covered medical services may include:

• Chiropractic treatment
• Dental
• Hospital stays
• Laboratory tests
• Nursing services
• Osteopathic care
• Podiatric care
• Prescription drugs
• Prosthetic devices
• Psychological care, if referred
• Surgery

Traveling back-and-forth from doctor’s appointments can be costly. The good news is that you may also be able to seek reimbursement for mileage or public transportation if you keep the receipts.

Figuring out how to get your benefits does not have to be a hassle. Hiring a New York injury attorney can help you protect your rights and claim the full compensation allowed by the law. Call (212) 668-6000 to schedule your complimentary falling object accident consultation.

New York Disability Benefits in New York

New York employers often carry disability benefits insurance. These benefits pay a percentage of your average weekly wages leading up to the last day you worked. 

Certain situations may make you ineligible to collect disability benefits – for example, quitting your job for reasons unrelated to your disability. Consulting a New York falling object accident professional about your claim can help you avoid unnecessary disqualification. For more information about maximizing your disability insurance benefits, contact us at (212) 668-6000 at your earliest convenience.

How to Pursue a Claim When Negligence Was a Factor

New York law requires property owners to maintain their premises in good and safe condition. Once owners become aware of a potential hazard, such as loose branches or precarious shelves, they must take action within a reasonable amount of time to correct the issue. 

So if they fail to act, negligent owners may be held liable for injuries that befall visitors or workers. At Hill & Moin LLP, we work hard to recover significant compensation  for clients hurt by falling objects. We have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for injury victims since the founding of our firm. 

Here is a small sample of our successful falling objects cases involving negligence:

• A $2 million settlement at trial for a union carpenter whose arm was crushed by a collapsing form wall on a Manhattan construction site
• A $900,000 settlement for a construction worker injured by a dropped object
• An $850,000 settlement for a plumber who was struck by falling bricks while at a construction site
• A $500,000 settlement to compensate for an eye trauma suffered from a falling object on a construction site

You may never know what compensation you deserve unless you make the call: (212) 668-6000. Or if you prefer, leave us a message to tell us how falling objects caused your injury. Don’t wonder about your rights! Contact us for a free legal case review today to learn your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ.