Construction in New York City is a dangerous trade. According to the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH), construction site deaths accounted for 22% of all workers’ deaths in 2019. While a fatal NYC construction site accident is a tragedy, the state has labor laws to protect workers, which means the families of fatal construction accident victims can pursue compensation for their loss of life.
Navigating these laws alone can be stressful, especially if insurance companies, employers, or other parties refute their obligation. A knowledgeable and experienced construction accident attorney who knows New York’s labor laws is the best path toward recovering the maximum compensation you and your family deserve.
Contact Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. for a free consultation. Call 212-490-5700 or use our online form if you’ve lost a loved one to a construction site fatality.
After a NYC Construction Accident Fatality Compensation
If your loved one died in a construction accident in New York, you are likely entitled to compensation through the NY state’s worker compensation laws. In some instances, you may also file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Fatal NYC Construction accidents could be caused by:
- Dangerous job sites
- Hoist Accidents
- NYC scaffolding and ladder accidents
- NYC Fires, Explosions, and Burns
- Welding accidents
- NYC Forklift accidents
- NYC Crane Accidents
- Falling Objects
- Defective and Unsafe Equipment
- Electrocution and Electrical Shock
Who Receives Worker’s Comp Death Benefits in New York?
Workers’ compensation applies to more than just those injured on a job site. A deceased’s surviving spouse, minor children, or other dependents can be entitled to weekly cash benefits through survivor’s benefits. The amount equals two-thirds of the deceased worker’s average weekly wage for 52 weeks before the accident. Those benefits last for life, or until the spouse remarries or the children become adults.
That amount cannot exceed the weekly maximum of the accident’s established date. If there is no spouse, children, or dependents to receive the compensation, the deceased worker’s parents or estate may be entitled to $50,000.
Funeral or memorial expenses for a work-related death could be covered under workers’ compensation. In most counties, the costs cannot exceed $10,500. In Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester, the full funeral or memorial expense is $12,500.
Filing for Survivors’ Benefits in New York City
To qualify for survivors’ benefits under the New York state’s workers’ compensation laws, you’ll need to file an affidavit for death benefits; proof of death by a physician in last attendance on the deceased form; and evidence of burial and funeral expenses by the undertaker form.
Types of New York Construction Accidents
Notable
Results
$2,500,000
NYC Roofer passed away because of general contractor-liable ladder accident
Read More ResultsWrongful Death Lawsuits After NY Construction Accidents
Like other New York City personal injury lawsuits stemming from construction accidents, a wrongful death lawsuit would hold third parties responsible for the negligence or intentional acts that killed your loved one. Those third parties could include site owners, general contractors, site managers, subcontractors, engineers, or anyone driving equipment whose operation caused your loved one to die.
Who Files a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
New York law dictates that the deceased worker’s ‘executor’ or personal representative of their estate file their wrongful death suit. Unless a family member is the executor of the deceased’s will, they cannot bring a New York City wrongful death lawsuit to court.
Recovering Wrongful Death Damages
Like other personal injury lawsuits, damages can be recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit. These losses include things like funeral and burial expenses, reasonable health care expenses related to the deceased’s final injury, any financial support the dead would have given to support their family, the value of support and services lost, the survivors’ lost inheritance, pain and suffering, and any interest on the damages award.
Is There a Time Limit to File a NYC Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Despite a few exceptions, wrongful death lawsuits must be typically filed within two years of your loved one’s death to fall within the New York statute of limitations.
Contact HKD for Help After a NYC Fatal Construction Accident
Losing a loved one because of negligence in the workplace is a tragedy. While nothing can replace what you lost, the financial impact from their death can be daunting. Having an experienced New York fatal construction accident lawyer on your side can ensure your rights are respected and improve the odds of a successful survivors’ benefits application or wrongful death lawsuit.
The New York construction fatality accident attorneys with Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. are here to lift this burden. If your family has a wrongful death claim, we will guide you through every step, from investigating the incident, hiring expert witnesses, and conducting settlement negotiations.
Contact HKD at 212-490-5700 or use our online form to discuss your options during a free consultation. There are no up-front fees, and you owe nothing until we win compensation.
CLIENT REVIEWS
04/26/2021
Jonathan is incredible in the results, I recommend to all construction workers, incredible results.
5
ro mejia, HKD CLIENT
03/06/2021
I was in a very serious construction accident where I hurt my knee. I met with few lawyers including Jordan Hecht at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek and I knew right away he was the one. Over the next few years…
5
Gail Ulrich, HKD CLIENT
12/27/2020
When thinking about what makes a good lawyer, we tend to focus on the firms they represent, whether or not they have or have had any notable clients. Prospective clients might search for lawyers based on the amount of money…
5
Dwane Eddy, HKD CLIENT
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.”
5
Peter, HKD CLIENT