New York Window Installation Accident Lawyer
As the city with both the highest population and the most skyscrapers in the United States, it comes as no surprise that there are also a lot of windows in New York. Whether installed at a residence or in a commercial building, there are a number of risks involved, and window installation accidents can lead to serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a window installation accident, you need reliable, timely legal advice. Whether your injuries were sustained while on the job or simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time, there are legal provisions in place to get you compensation for your losses after an accident causing personal injury.
The team at Hill & Moin is committed to offering injured New Yorkers the legal representation they need during a difficult time. We are happy to use our more than 50 years of combined experience on behalf of our clients, and we take our job – and our clients’ needs – seriously, taking the time needed to know our clients and cultivate personal relationships with them.
If you have been hurt in a New York window installation accident, we are here to help. A free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team can help provide the clarity and direction you need at this time. Contact us today for your free consultation at (212) 668-6000 or by filling out our online form.
The Risks Involved With Window Installation
Every job has its risks. However, some are especially prone to certain accidents. While most window installations are carried out successfully and safely, there can be major consequences when accidents occur. There are two primary risks involved with window installation: falling from heights and being struck by a falling object.
Falling from heights
According to the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of death in construction, leading to 351 deaths in 2020. Certain construction jobs, including window installation, carry a higher risk of falls due to the nature of working at heights. While 6 feet is generally viewed as the height from which a fall starts to be especially dangerous, even a fall from a relatively low height can lead to injury or death.
In 2020, New York reported 16,580 slip, trip, and fall accidents that resulted in time off work. Of those, approximately one-third were serious enough to result in 30 or more days off work. The same year saw 52 worker deaths due to such accidents.
In order to keep workers and others safe from fall accidents, OSHA has put in place a number of safety regulations that must be followed at each work site. However, countless contractors and construction companies have been cited by OSHA for putting workers and others at risk by failing to comply with safety regulations. Many of these incidents have resulted in serious injury or death – tragic outcomes that could have been prevented.
Struck by falling objects
In addition to the danger of a worker falling on the job, window installation carries the risk of being struck by falling objects as well. For example, when installing a window, workers often use a number of tools and equipment. If one of these items falls from above, it can cause serious injuries or even death upon striking someone below.
Injuries caused by a falling object tend to be especially serious since the point of contact is often the head. The heavier the object is, as well as how far it fell before contact, has an impact on the severity of the injury.
During the installation process, the window itself may fall to the ground. In December 2020, an 11-feet-by-2-feet window pane fell from the 53rd floor of a high-rise building in Manhattan. Thankfully, nobody was on the street at the time, and there were no injuries. However, this sobering incident shows how tragic window installation incidents can be in less fortunate circumstances.
People Who Can Be Injured in Window Installation Accidents
Window installation accidents generally involve two types of victims: a worker or a pedestrian. In each case, compensation is available, but the process and options are different depending on the circumstances.
When a worker is injured
In many cases, one or several of the workers involved in the installation are injured when a window installation accident occurs.
There are a number of circumstances that can lead to a worker’s injury, including:
- Falling off scaffolding
- Scaffolding failures
- Safety equipment malfunctions
- Struck by falling objects
When a person is injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits are in place to offer compensation for losses after an accident. In New York, it is mandatory for all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance for all employees of the organization.
While workers’ comp is available for most injuries suffered while on the job, it works differently than other types of personal injury claims or lawsuits. First, workers’ comp benefits do offer compensation for lost wages due to the accident, the maximum amount available being up to a certain percentage of pre-accident weekly wages.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, though, personal injury victims can recover compensation for the entire amount of lost wages and future earning capacity in addition to all medical expenses and emotional damages such as pain and suffering.
Even though workers’ compensation claims generally limit a person from pursuing further legal action against his or her employer, there may be options for additional compensation depending on the circumstances of your case. A free consultation with a New York personal injury lawyer can help you understand the options available to you after your accident.
When a pedestrian is injured
Window installation accidents not only place the workers at risk but also everyone else who is present at the time of the accident.
Some situations that can result in a window installation pedestrian injury include:
- Failure to properly secure tools and equipment
- Improperly set-up scaffolding
- Negligent worker behavior
- Malfunctioning safety equipment
- Insufficient or non-existent warning signage
- Insufficient or non-existent fencing
The personal injury lawyers at Hill & Moin carefully investigate each case to determine and prove the negligent party’s liability. This can include important steps such as identifying and interviewing witnesses and examining documentation and records.
When you work with a personal injury lawyer, he or she will also take the time to understand the impact your injuries have had on your quality of life and fight for you to receive the maximum amount of compensation available to you.
Types of Injuries After a Window Installation Accident
Window installation accidents can result in serious injuries, requiring extensive medical treatment and potentially permanent damage.
Common injuries after a window installation accident include:
- Internal injuries: If a person falls from a significant height, the impact of the fall can often result in injuries to internal organs. These injuries can be life-threatening.
- Head, neck, and spinal injuries: Head, neck, and spinal injuries are often life-altering, causing permanent damage. Long-term effects can include paralysis, cognitive delays, emotional changes, and migraines.
- Fractures and broken bones: Broken bones and fractures can require surgical treatment and physical therapy in order to heal. Some cases result in permanent damage or limitations in movement.
Sadly, many window installation accidents are fatal. If you have lost a loved one after a New York window installation accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit. While no amount of compensation can erase the effects of your loss, it can ease the financial burden caused by the accident and help you and your family start on the road to recovery.
Compensation in a wrongful death suit can include:
- Medical expenses of the victim due to the accident
- Burial or cremation costs
- Funeral expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity of the victim
Call the New York Window Installation Accident Lawyers at Hill & Moin Today
We understand that the aftermath of a tragic accident often leaves victims and their families overwhelmed. Mounting financial stress on top of the emotional and physical effects of an accident is further compounded by the daunting task of necessary legal procedures. That is why the team at Hill & Moin is here to help.
Our clients are able to focus on their recovery and on family while we provide professional and compassionate legal representation on their behalf. When you work with our team, you can be confident that your case is in good hands and your future is secure.
We are happy to have secured millions in compensation for our clients, including a $1.6 million settlement for a worker who fell from a scaffold and $900,000 for a client struck by a falling object on a construction site. We want to help you recover the compensation you deserve too.
There is no reason to delay. Contact us today to learn more about your Personal Injury Recovery SolutionsⓇ. You can call (212) 668-6000 anytime 24/7 to schedule a free, confidential initial consultation about your case.
Don’t wonder about your rights!