There are numerous safety protocols to prevent building collapse and make necessary New York City demolitions safer. However, accidents still happen. Whether there was a complete building collapse, and unsafe demolition, or a floor or ceiling fell through, the injuries can be severe.

If you have building collapse injuries after a New York City construction site accident, call Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. We will explain your rights and how to recover the compensation you need and deserve.

Call 212-490-5700 or use our contact form for a free consultation with our NYC building demolition attorneys. There’s no fee unless we win.

Liability in Building Collapse Accidents

It’s important to figure out exactly who may be responsible for your accident. There may be more than one party that should be held accountable for a botched demolition or collapse. If you don’t name everyone liable, you may not get the compensation you deserve.

Some parties who may be liable in partial or total building collapse include:

  • General Contractors – If the materials supplied on the construction site were inadequate or workers did not receive proper oversight, a general contractor may be to blame.
  • Subcontractors – If the subcontractors on the construction site did their jobs improperly, such as welding or support beams, they might be held liable for building collapse injuries.
  • Engineers – If engineers did not correctly calculate building requirements, such as how much weight a floor can hold, they might be responsible.
  • Architects – If there is a flaw in the way a building was planned that results in a collapse, the architects might be to blame.
  • Demolition Foremen – A foreman should guide every stage of building demolition. If they fail to coordinate things properly, they may be responsible for damages.
  • Building Managers and Landlords – Buildings must be properly maintained to prevent mold, rust, water and fire damage, and other potential issues.

How Demolition Accidents Happen on a NYC Job Site

Various factors can impact the structural integrity of a construction project in New York City. Some common causes of building collapse include the following:

  • Failure to properly maintain a building, such as water leaks, rust, and mold
  • Floor or ceiling collapses
  • Improper demolition procedures that do not comply with safety protocols
  • Changes during construction that deviate from blueprints and architectural plans
  • Inclement weather, such as excess snow buildup or severe winds
  • Failures in the foundation
  • Poorly placed construction materials
  • Unsafe or inadequate building materials
  • Design or engineer failures

How Negligence Leads To A NYC Building Collapse

Someone’s negligence on the job causes most situations. Negligence is a legal theory indicating that someone had a legal duty and didn’t uphold that duty. Their actions or inaction resulted in building collapse injuries and financial damages.

When negligence is involved in a building collapse, you can typically file a NYC personal injury lawsuit against the person or company at fault to recover your damages.

Types of New York Construction Accidents

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NYC Construction Workers Injured on an Exterior Scaffold

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Compensation in NYC Building Collapse Accidents

If you are injured on the job, you may have two options for recovering compensation to help you move forward with life – workers’ compensation and a New York City personal injury lawsuit.

Filing A Workers Comp Claim in NYC

If your employer or a coworker is to blame, you will likely be able to file a workers’ compensation claim. This will cover all your medical expenses but only some of your lost wages. You can also get disability compensation. Keep in mind. You cannot get money for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Third-Party Lawsuits vs Workers Comp

If a third party had a part in the collapse of the building, you could file a third-party personal injury lawsuit. This will allow you to collect compensation for all of your damages. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. can help you recover:

In some cases, you might be able to get punitive damages, which are meant to punish the wrongdoer. This is often the case if someone fails to comply with established New York City Labor Laws or their actions are especially egregious.

NYC Building Codes for Demolition

Chapter 33 of the NYC Building Code addresses building demolition and construction safeguards. It establishes the following:

Every New York construction site must comply with these building codes. Contractors should also appoint a safety inspector to ensure NYC building codes are followed.

During construction or demolition, it is also likely that an inspector from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will visit the site. If an inspector finds that a construction site violates a code, the General Contractor or site owner may be responsible for fines, and they may be shut down until compliance occurs.

Call HKD After Your NYC Building Collapse Injury

If you were injured in a building collapse in New York City, you have options, but you need to act fast to secure the compensation you need and deserve. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek P.C. has a team of NYC legal professionals with experience handling cases like yours.

Call HKD today at 212-490-5700 or use the contact form for a free consultation. There’s no fee unless we win.

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05/15/2019

“I retained Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek for a serious personal injury case. They were very professional and managed to obtain a settlement for me that far exceeded my expectations. I would strongly recommend this firm for anyone’s legal needs.”

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