New York Bricklayer and Mason Accident Lawyers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York has the greatest number of masons and bricklayers in the country. As with most jobs in the construction industry, a bricklayer or mason’s work can be dangerous. Even if the worker does everything correctly and practices safe work habits, he or she could still be injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Have you or someone you love been injured while on the job as a mason or bricklayer? If so, you deserve to have your legal rights protected. A New York construction accident lawyer can help you through each stage of the claims process and ensure you receive fair compensation.

The personal injury attorneys at Hill & Moin have been representing accident victims in New York for over 40 years. Our legal team truly cares about its clients. With our law firm on your side, it’s “like having a lawyer in the family,” as some of our clients have told us.

Contact our office today at (212) 668-6000 for a free consultation to learn about your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ.

What Type of Work Do Bricklayers and Masons Perform?

Bricklaying and masonry are physically demanding jobs. Workers often spend long days standing, bending, and lifting heavy loads.

Common tasks that masons and bricklayers perform include:

• Mixing mortar or grout
• Laying out patterns, forms, or foundations according to plans
• Installing steel components
• Cutting or breaking materials to the required size
• Shoring walls
• Installing and dismantling scaffolding
• Laying bricks
• Constructing walls
• Aligning structures with the use of levels or plumbs
• Repairing machinery
• Cleaning and polishing surfaces

New York Mason or Bricklayer Accidents and Injuries

The type of work that New York bricklayers and masons perform on a daily basis exposes them to various hazards. Unfortunately, even with proper training and safety equipment, workers are still injured while on the job.

The following are common causes of bricklayer and mason accidents.

Falls

It is no secret that falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Bricklayers and masons often spend their workdays high up on ladders or scaffolding, putting them at great risk of a fall and severe injury.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set regulations to reduce these incidents. For example, fall protection equipment is required for any mason who is performing overhand bricklaying 6 feet above lower levels or reaching further than ten inches below the work surface.

Falling Objects

Masons and bricklayers frequently work around or beneath other construction workers, with added risk of being hit by a falling object. Another worker may drop a tool from above, debris may descend from scaffolding, or other heavy objects may fall and cause injury to the mason working below.

Crushing Injuries

Crushing injuries occur when a worker’s body is compressed between two heavy objects. At times, masons are injured when unloading pallets of bricks. Other injuries occur when sand, concrete, and other building materials slip while being lifted to heights using pulleys or heavy machinery.

Masons and bricklayers may also sustain crushing injuries in the event of a wall collapse. OSHA requires walls of a certain height to contain rebar. Otherwise, the wall may cave in and fall onto workers beneath it. In addition, a bricklayer who is attempting to brace a wall or remove braces could be injured if the wall suddenly gives way.

Electrocution

According to OSHA, electrocution is one of the top four causes of death on a construction site. Masons often have to work around power lines and other sources of electricity, putting them at risk of electrocution.

Other causes of electric shocks on construction sites include:

• Damaged or defective power lines
• Short circuits
• Live wires that have not been grounded
• Faulty wiring
• Unsafe or damaged tools
• Improper cord use

Power Tool Accidents

Masons and bricklayers use various power tools on the job site, such as angle grinders, electrical equipment, and rotating saws. If this equipment is defective or improperly used, serious injuries can occur.

According to OSHA, common injuries sustained in power tool accidents include:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Eye injuries
• Hearing loss
• Electrocution
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Amputations

Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was commonly used in building materials such as bricks, blocks, stones, and mortar beginning in the 1950s through the 1980s. Asbestos was later banned because it was found to cause mesothelioma and other serious diseases.

Masons and bricklayers who were working in their trade during those years may have been exposed to asbestos when cutting bricks, mixing cement, or performing other tasks. Currently, workers could still be at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers when demolishing old brick structures and releasing the fibers into the air.

Masons and Bricklayers Are at Risk for Musculoskeletal Injuries

A study was conducted through job site analysis and ergonomic studies to identify trade activities with a high risk of causing musculoskeletal injuries.

The following are some reasons why masons and bricklayers are particularly at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal injuries:

• They may perform tasks that require them to bend forward over 1,000 times each shift.
• They frequently lift heavy objects with one hand, which puts strain on their back, upper arm, and shoulder.
• Workers may use gloves when picking up blocks, which reduces grip strength and causes the hand and forearm muscles to contract harder than with bare hands. This fatigues the muscle and increases the risk of a musculoskeletal injury.
• They often work in constricted spaces, forcing them to bend, twist, and maintain awkward postures for extended lengths of time.
• They typically work outdoors, exposing them to rain, ice, mud, and other elements that increase the odds of a slip-and-fall accident.
• Some workers choose to use a 12-inch trowel. This allows them to lay more mortar at each application but puts them at risk of an elbow or wrist injury.

What to Do If You Were Injured in a New York Mason or Bricklayer Accident?

If you are injured on the job, your first priority should be your health and getting the medical care that you need. You will also want to do what you can to preserve evidence and protect your right to compensation.

Taking the following steps can help ensure you receive the medical treatment you need and recover the compensation you deserve:

• Get medical care. Call emergency services so that you can receive the medical care that you need. Even if your injuries do not initially seem serious, it is recommended to seek a thorough medical examination.
• Notify your employer. Your employer should be made aware of the incident as soon as possible. Ensure that he or she fills out an accident report and the necessary workers’ comp paperwork.
• Contact a NY mason or bricklayer accident lawyer. Talk to experienced lawyers about filing your accident claim. They can protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.

Options for Compensation Following a New York Bricklayer or Mason Accident

A bricklayer or mason injured in a work-related accident may be unsure of what damages he or she is entitled to and how to recover compensation for losses suffered. A construction accident lawyer, though, can review your case, investigate your accident, and help you determine your best option for compensation.

After an on-the-job accident, construction workers, even undocumented workers, can typically recover financial compensation in one of the following two ways.

Workers’ Compensation

New York employers are required to hold workers’ compensation insurance to protect their employees in the event of a work-related accident. If any construction worker, including masons and bricklayers, are injured while on the job, filing a work comp claim is a great step to take. Workers’ comp will typically reimburse injured workers for medical bills and wages lost as a result of the accident.

If a workers’ comp claim is denied, the injured worker has the right to appeal the denial. A personal injury attorney can help prepare for the appeal and aid you through any stage of the workers’ compensation process.

Filing a Lawsuit

If your workers’ comp claim was denied or a third party is responsible for your accident, it may be in your best interests to file a personal injury lawsuit. In this situation, you definitely want an experienced mason and bricklayer accident lawyer on your side.

Experienced construction accident lawyers will be knowledgeable in the New York safety laws that apply to your situation. They can identify all parties liable for your injuries, determine how much your claim is worth, and help you file a lawsuit.

If your claim can’t be settled through negotiations with the defendants and their insurance companies, a lawyer will take your case to court and present it before a judge and jury.

Schedule a Free Case Consultation With a New York Bricklayer and Mason Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a New York bricklayer or mason accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Damages you are eligible to recover may include reimbursement for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering, and more.

At Hill & Moin, our clients are like family to us, and you will be treated as such. In order to keep our services affordable for all, we offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis only.

During your free consultation session, we can determine whether you have a valid personal injury case. Start by calling (212) 668-6000. Schedule today to learn about your Personal Injury Recovery Solutions®. 

Don’t wonder about your rights!