If you or a loved one were hurt on a construction site in Spencerport, this page explains the legal options available and how The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC can help you pursue recovery. Construction site injuries can involve complex liability issues, multiple responsible parties, and interactions with both employers and insurers. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. and the team aim to provide clear guidance about immediate steps to preserve evidence, document injuries, and communicate with medical providers and insurers while protecting your legal rights. Call (845) 986-2777 to discuss your situation and learn how the firm approaches these claims.
Seeking legal representation after a construction injury can help ensure your claim is pursued fully and that key deadlines and procedural requirements are met, which is especially important in cases involving multiple potentially liable parties. An attorney can assist with gathering medical documentation, identifying responsible third parties such as contractors or equipment manufacturers, and presenting a clear record to insurers or a court. This guidance can help clients focus on recovery while legal matters proceed in the background, and it can improve the chances of obtaining compensation that covers medical care, lost income, and other related costs.
A personal injury claim is a legal action brought by someone who has suffered physical harm due to another party’s actions or failures to act. In the construction context, a personal injury claim can involve incidents caused by negligent contractors, dangerous equipment, inadequate safety measures, or hazardous site conditions. The claim seeks compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages linked to the injury. To support such a claim, the injured person must show what happened, who was responsible, and the losses that resulted from the injury and recovery process.
Negligence refers to the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably careful person or entity would have used in the same situation, leading to harm. On a construction site this can take many forms, including inadequate fall protection, poor training, failure to maintain equipment, or ignoring safety protocols. Establishing negligence typically requires showing that a duty of care existed, that the duty was breached, and that the breach caused the injury and resulting damages. Evidence such as safety records, witness statements, and maintenance logs often plays a central role in proving negligence.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system that provides medical care and wage replacement benefits to employees injured on the job, regardless of who was at fault. While it provides important benefits quickly, it generally limits the employee’s ability to sue their employer directly. In many construction accident scenarios, injured workers may also have third-party claims against contractors, subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, or property owners whose negligence contributed to the injury. Understanding the interplay between workers’ compensation benefits and potential third-party claims is a key step in maximizing recovery.
Third-party liability arises when someone other than the injured worker’s employer bears responsibility for an accident and resulting injuries, such as a negligent subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. These claims seek compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits and can cover pain and suffering, future medical care, and full wage loss not addressed by mandatory insurance systems. Identifying third-party defendants requires investigating contracts, site supervision, and the roles of different companies on the job site to determine who may be legally accountable for unsafe conditions or defective equipment.
After a construction injury, take photographs of the accident scene, visible hazards, and any equipment involved as soon as it is safe to do so, because images captured close in time to the event are often the most helpful later. Make a contemporaneous note of what happened, record the names and contact details of any witnesses, and keep copies of incident reports and medical intake forms. These steps preserve factual details that can fade or change over time, and they lay the groundwork for a thorough review of liability and damages.
Obtain medical attention without delay and follow prescribed treatment plans, because timely records of care and treatment choices form the backbone of any personal injury claim and help establish the connection between the accident and the injuries. Keep all medical bills, test results, prescriptions, and rehabilitation notes in a single, organized file and request copies of records for your own files. Accurate documentation of treatment, progress, and any ongoing limitations strengthens a claim and supports appropriate compensation for both present and future needs.
Retain any clothing, tools, or equipment involved in the incident when possible and avoid altering the accident scene until authorized investigators have examined it, as physical evidence can be critical when establishing fault. Be mindful when speaking with insurance adjusters and others about the injury; provide factual information but avoid detailed admissions or speculations without legal guidance. Keeping a contemporaneous recovery journal that records symptoms, medical appointments, and how injuries affect daily life helps quantify non-economic losses and supports discussions about fair compensation.
Comprehensive representation is especially beneficial when more than one company or contractor may share responsibility for an accident, because coordinating claims against multiple defendants involves complex factual and legal analysis. A thorough investigation is needed to map out contractual relationships, safety obligations, and supervisory roles, and to assemble the evidence linking each party to negligent conduct. When claims involve several parties, a coordinated legal approach helps ensure that all avenues for compensation are pursued and that settlement negotiations or litigation address the full scope of an injured person’s losses.
When injuries are severe, permanent, or likely to require ongoing medical care, comprehensive legal work helps identify and quantify long-term needs including future treatment, rehabilitation, and income loss. Valuing these future losses accurately requires coordination between medical professionals, vocational evaluators, and legal counsel to present a credible projection of needs. Engaging comprehensive legal representation early supports the development of a claim that reflects both immediate and anticipated costs, which can be essential to achieving fair compensation for long-term consequences.
A more limited approach may fit situations where injuries are minor, liability is clear, and the total damages are well below levels that require extensive investigation or litigation, because straightforward claims can sometimes be resolved through focused documentation and negotiation. In those cases, it may be possible to present a concise demand package that includes medical bills and a brief statement of wage loss to reach a timely settlement. Even in simpler cases, however, preserving evidence and keeping accurate records remains important to secure a fair outcome without unnecessary delay.
If workers’ compensation benefits fully address an injured worker’s medical care and wage replacement needs, pursuing additional claims may be unnecessary unless a viable third-party claim exists that could provide broader recovery. In such situations, focusing on ensuring full and timely workers’ compensation benefits, including vocational support where applicable, can be an efficient path. Still, it is important to analyze whether any third-party liability claims are available, because those claims may compensate losses not covered by workers’ compensation.
Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs are a leading cause of serious injury on construction sites and often require careful review of fall-protection systems, training, and compliance with safety rules. Documenting the conditions that led to a fall and identifying any missing or inadequate safeguards is essential to determining liability and pursuing compensation.
Injuries caused by falling objects, moving equipment, or machinery entanglement can produce catastrophic harm and frequently involve questions about equipment maintenance, site controls, and contractor oversight. Preserving photographs, maintenance logs, and witness statements helps establish how such incidents occurred and who may be responsible.
Contact with live wiring, improper lockout procedures, or unsafe handling of electrical tools can result in electrical injuries and burns that require specialized medical care and long-term follow-up. Thorough investigation into safety procedures, training records, and compliance with electrical codes is often needed to support a claim in these cases.
The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC focuses on guiding injured people through the legal process with clear communication, prompt investigation, and attention to the details that matter in construction injury claims. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. and the team prioritize preserving evidence, obtaining medical documentation, and communicating regularly about case progress so clients understand the options available. Whether dealing with insurers, third parties, or claims administrators, the firm seeks to pursue appropriate compensation while allowing injured individuals to concentrate on recovery and family responsibilities during a difficult time.
Seek medical care immediately and follow any recommended treatment, because prompt documentation of injuries and treatment is essential to supporting a later claim and protecting your health. If possible, photograph the scene, save clothing and tools involved, and get contact information for witnesses and any onsite supervisors, since these details can be critical during an investigation. Report the incident to your employer and obtain a copy of the incident report, and preserve all medical records, bills, and wage statements. Reach out to discuss the situation so you can learn about potential recovery paths, including workers’ compensation and possible third-party claims against contractors or equipment providers.
Yes, injured workers in New York generally have access to workers’ compensation benefits for workplace injuries, which cover medical care and partial wage replacement without regard to fault. Those benefits are important for immediate support, but they do not always compensate for pain and suffering or full wage losses that may result from serious harm. In addition to workers’ compensation, you may have a third-party claim if an entity other than your employer bears responsibility, such as a negligent subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. Evaluating both options helps ensure all possible sources of recovery are considered, and gathering evidence promptly improves the likelihood of pursuing third-party claims where appropriate.
Workers’ compensation is a no-fault system that provides benefits to employees injured on the job, generally limiting the employee’s right to sue their employer directly in exchange for expedited medical and wage benefits. Workers’ compensation typically covers medical care, certain wage replacement, and related expenses, but it does not provide compensation for pain and suffering. A third-party claim is a separate legal action against someone other than the employer whose negligence contributed to the injury, and it may seek damages not available through workers’ compensation, including full wage loss and non-economic damages. Identifying viable third-party defendants and pursuing those claims can significantly affect the total recovery available after a construction accident.
New York has specific time limits, or statutes of limitations, for filing personal injury lawsuits, and those deadlines can vary depending on whether the claim is against a private party, a government entity, or relates to a construction defect. Missing the applicable deadline can bar a claim, so prompt action to evaluate the facts and preserve evidence is important to avoid unintended forfeiture of legal rights. Workers’ compensation claims also have filing requirements and timelines for reporting injuries and seeking benefits, which differ from civil lawsuit deadlines. Consulting about the relevant time limits early helps ensure that required notices and filings are made in a timely manner to protect all available recovery options.
Many construction injury claims are resolved through negotiation and settlement, because parties often prefer to avoid the time and expense of a trial, and a well-documented case can lead to a fair resolution through mediation or direct settlement talks. Settlement allows for certainty and control over the outcome for both sides, and it can be arranged once the scope of medical care and economic impact are reasonably clear. However, if negotiations do not produce a satisfactory result, filing a lawsuit and proceeding to trial may be necessary to obtain full compensation. Preparing for trial involves assembling a complete evidentiary record, securing medical and vocational testimony as needed, and presenting the case before a judge or jury to establish liability and damages.
Damages in a construction injury claim typically include economic losses such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs related to the injury. These items are supported by medical records, bills, pay stubs, and expert opinions as necessary to quantify future care and ongoing limitations. Non-economic damages may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life when the injury results in significant physical or lifestyle changes. In severe cases, claims may also seek damages for long-term care needs and life-altering impairments, which require careful documentation and credible projections to support valuation.
Key evidence after a construction accident includes photographs of the scene and hazards, incident reports, maintenance and inspection logs, safety protocols, and contact information for witnesses who observed the event. Medical records, diagnostic tests, and treatment notes are equally important to establish the extent and cause of injuries and to document the connection between the injury and required care. Preserving physical evidence such as damaged tools or protective equipment, and obtaining copies of any site surveillance footage or contractor correspondence, can also be critical. Early collection and organization of this evidence improves the ability to evaluate liability and damages and to present a persuasive claim to insurers or a court.
New York follows comparative fault rules that allow a person to recover damages even if they share some responsibility for the accident, though recovery may be reduced in proportion to the person’s share of fault. The presence of partial fault does not necessarily bar recovery, and in many construction cases, multiple parties share responsibility due to overlapping duties and controls on site. A careful review of the circumstances and contribution of others is important to determine whether a viable claim exists and to assess likely reductions in recovery based on comparative fault. Preserving evidence and witness statements that clarify the roles and actions of all involved parties helps protect your ability to recover appropriate compensation.
The time to resolve a construction injury claim varies widely depending on the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, the willingness of parties to negotiate, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Some cases are resolved within months through focused settlement discussions after medical treatment is complete, while more complex matters involving multiple defendants and disputed liability can take a year or longer to resolve. The process is often driven by the need to complete necessary medical treatment and establish accurate estimates of future care before negotiating a final settlement. Staying engaged with medical providers and legal counsel throughout the process helps advance the claim efficiently and positions the case for timely resolution when appropriate.
Fee arrangements for construction injury cases commonly use a contingency basis, where payment to legal counsel is a percentage of any recovery obtained, meaning no upfront hourly fees are billed to the injured person for case development and representation. This arrangement allows injured individuals to pursue claims without bearing immediate legal costs, while attorneys take on the responsibility of advancing the case and absorbing initial expenses until recovery is achieved. The firm will typically explain the fee percentage, which costs may be deducted from a recovery, and how expenses such as expert reports or filing fees are handled, so clients understand the financial aspects before moving forward. Clear, written fee agreements and open discussion of potential costs help ensure transparency during the claims process.
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