A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•A+ rating on Better Business Bureau•Google reviews: 5.0•Martindale Hubbell Client Rating: 5.0•Lawyers.com Client Rating: 5.0•Avvo Client Rating: 5.0•Facebook Rating 5.0•Best Dog Bite Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Bicycle Accident Lawyers – Queens, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)•Best Car Accident Lawyers – Middletown, NY (2025) (Expertise.com)

Construction Site Injuries Attorney in Lockport

Lockport Construction Claims

Understanding Construction Site Injury Claims

If you or a loved one were injured on a construction site in Lockport, you need clear guidance about steps to protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. At The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC, Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. assists people hurt in workplace incidents throughout Niagara County and New York. We focus on investigating how injuries happened, identifying liable parties, and helping clients obtain medical care and financial recovery. From initial case evaluation through settlement discussions or litigation, our approach is to provide steady support, explain options in plain language, and work to hold responsible parties accountable while you focus on recovery.

Construction site injuries often involve complex rules, multiple potentially liable parties, and urgent medical and financial needs. Our role is to help clients understand applicable laws such as New York workers’ compensation and third-party liability, review evidence like accident reports and maintenance records, and coordinate with medical providers. We take time to outline realistic timelines and likely outcomes so clients can make informed decisions. Early action matters for preserving evidence and protecting legal rights, and we aim to respond promptly to questions, arrange consultations, and begin fact-gathering to support a strong claim on each client’s behalf.

Why Professional Help Benefits Injured Workers

When a construction injury occurs, navigating insurance rules, employer procedures, and third-party claims can be overwhelming while coping with pain and lost wages. Skilled legal representation helps preserve time-sensitive evidence, obtain accurate medical evaluations, and present a complete claim for damages. An attorney can communicate with insurers on your behalf, advise about workers’ compensation versus third-party lawsuits, and pursue compensation for medical bills, wage loss, pain and suffering, and future needs. This support helps minimize mistakes that could reduce recovery and allows injured people to concentrate on healing while legal advocates pursue full and fair outcomes.

Ahearne Law Firm and Allan J. Ahearne, Jr.

The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC represents people injured in construction incidents across New York, including Niagara County and Lockport. Allan J. Ahearne, Jr. guides clients through claims, communicating clearly about options, evidence, and likely results based on the facts of each case. Our firm focuses on thorough investigation, negotiating with insurers and opposing counsel, and preparing cases for trial when appropriate. We emphasize client communication, accessibility, and practical planning so injured workers and their families know what to expect at every stage and can make informed decisions about pursuing compensation and protecting their long-term interests.

How Construction Injury Claims Work

Construction injury claims often arise from falls, struck-by accidents, electrocutions, or equipment failures, and they may involve multiple responsible parties like contractors, subcontractors, property owners, or equipment manufacturers. New York’s workers’ compensation system generally covers workplace injuries for employees, providing benefits for medical care and partial wage replacement. However, injured workers also may have separate claims against third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury, potentially enabling recovery for pain and suffering and other damages not available through workers’ compensation alone. Determining the best path depends on the facts, available evidence, and jurisdictional rules.

A thorough investigation typically includes securing incident reports, witness statements, safety records, inspection logs, and photographs of the scene and equipment. Medical documentation is essential to link injuries to the incident and to document current and anticipated treatment needs. Timelines for filing claims vary, so prompt action helps protect legal rights and preserve evidence. An initial consultation can clarify whether workers’ compensation, a third-party negligence claim, or multiple claims are appropriate based on who was at the site, contractual relationships, and the cause of the accident.

Need More Information?

Key Terms Related to Construction Injuries

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a state-administered system that provides medical care and wage replacement to employees injured on the job, regardless of fault. In New York, most employers must carry workers’ compensation insurance to ensure injured workers receive benefits for treatment, temporary disability payments during recovery, and partial compensation for permanent impairment when applicable. While workers’ compensation covers many work-related losses, it typically limits the injured worker’s ability to sue their employer in civil court, so other civil claims must often target third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury.

Third-Party Liability

Third-party liability refers to legal claims against parties other than the injured worker’s employer, such as a subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or supplier whose negligence or defective product caused the harm. Unlike workers’ compensation, third-party claims can seek damages for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and full compensation for lost earnings beyond what workers’ compensation provides. Establishing a third-party claim requires proving the other party had a legal duty, breached that duty, and caused the injury and resulting damages, often through evidence such as maintenance records, contracts, witness testimony, and expert analysis.

Negligence

Negligence means failing to act with the care that a reasonably careful person or company would have used under similar circumstances, resulting in harm to another. In construction contexts, negligence can include failure to follow safety protocols, inadequate supervision, improper equipment maintenance, or failure to provide proper warnings about hazards. To recover in a negligence-based claim, the injured person must show that the defendant had a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the injury and related losses. Evidence and witness accounts are central to proving negligence in these matters.

Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing civil claims, after which legal action is typically barred; the time limits differ by claim type and jurisdiction. In New York, statute of limitations periods vary for personal injury, product liability, and certain contract-based claims, making it important to act promptly to preserve options. Workers’ compensation has its own deadlines for reporting injuries and filing claims. Missing a filing deadline can foreclose the opportunity to recover compensation, so timely consultation and action are important when dealing with construction injuries and related claims.

PRO TIPS

Preserve Evidence Immediately

After a construction site injury, take steps to preserve evidence such as photographs of the scene, contact information for witnesses, and any incident reports created at the time. Keep records of medical visits, diagnoses, treatment plans, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury to support future claims and document losses. Promptly notifying your employer and obtaining copies of internal reports and safety logs can also help protect your rights and support a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.

Get Thorough Medical Care

Seek medical attention right away and follow medical recommendations closely, as documentation of your injuries and treatment is essential for both recovery and any compensation claim. Keep all medical records, bills, and correspondence related to diagnosis and treatment, and maintain a clear timeline of symptoms and interventions. Consistent, documented care helps establish the link between the workplace incident and your injuries and supports a stronger claim for damages later in the process.

Avoid Quick Insurance Agreements

Insurance adjusters may contact injured workers early and offer quick settlements that do not fully account for future medical costs, ongoing care, or long-term wage loss. Before accepting any offer, carefully review the terms and obtain advice to understand whether the payment fairly compensates for all present and anticipated needs. A measured approach that gathers evidence and evaluates the full scope of damages helps ensure any resolution better reflects the true impact of the injury.

Comparing Legal Paths After a Construction Injury

When a Broader Approach Is Appropriate:

Multiple Potentially Liable Parties

Construction incidents often involve contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment suppliers, and manufacturers, creating overlapping responsibilities and defenses. A comprehensive legal approach helps identify all possible defendants and coordinate claims against them to maximize recovery while avoiding procedural missteps. Thorough investigation and coordinated legal action can uncover evidence across multiple entities and prevent important claims from being overlooked or barred by procedural deadlines.

Complex Injury and Long-Term Needs

Severe injuries with ongoing medical needs, rehabilitation, or reduced earning capacity require careful valuation and planning to ensure compensation covers future as well as present losses. A broader legal strategy accounts for long-term medical expenses, vocational impacts, and the need to secure funds for continuing care. Properly documenting future needs and coordinating medical and financial evidence strengthens claims and helps ensure that settlements or awards reflect the full extent of an injured person’s losses.

When a Narrower Path May Work:

Clear Workers’ Compensation Coverage

If the facts show a straightforward workplace injury covered fully by workers’ compensation and there is no viable third-party defendant, pursuing a workers’ compensation claim may resolve medical and wage replacement needs efficiently. In those situations, focusing on the workers’ compensation process, appeals, and vocational rehabilitation planning can be the practical route. However, it remains important to review whether other parties may share liability and whether additional claims are appropriate to address losses outside workers’ compensation coverage.

Minor Injuries with Quick Recovery

For minor injuries that result in short-term medical treatment and minimal wage loss, a straightforward resolution through employer-provided benefits or a simple settlement may be sufficient. In such cases, keeping detailed records and confirming benefits cover all costs can avoid unnecessary legal steps. It is still important to verify all rights and confirm that immediate offers from insurers are fair before accepting any payment that might limit future recovery.

Common Construction Injury Scenarios

Falls from Heights

Falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs are frequent causes of serious injury on construction sites and often involve safety protocol failures or defective equipment. Such incidents can result in severe injuries and complex claims involving property owners, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.

Struck-by and Caught-between Accidents

Electrocutions and Equipment Failures

Electrical accidents and failures of heavy machinery can produce catastrophic outcomes and involve product liability or maintenance claim issues. Determining whether defective components, improper installations, or poor maintenance played a role is key to identifying liable parties and securing appropriate compensation.

Construction Injury Representation Serving Lockport, NY

Why Choose Ahearne Law Firm for Your Claim

Choosing legal representation means selecting counsel who will prioritize timely communication, careful case preparation, and diligent pursuit of fair compensation. At The Ahearne Law Firm PLLC, we focus on listening to clients’ concerns, explaining options in straightforward terms, and building a clear plan for investigation and negotiation. Our approach emphasizes practical problem solving, consistent updates, and protecting client interests during interactions with insurers and opposing parties so injured people and their families feel supported throughout the claims process.

We help clients by coordinating medical documentation, preserving evidence, identifying all potentially responsible parties, and preparing claims that reflect current and future needs. From filing timely notices to pursuing third-party claims when appropriate, we handle procedural requirements and advocate for full recovery of damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic loss. Our goal is to reduce the burden on clients during recovery and to pursue fair outcomes that address their long-term health and financial stability.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

People Also Search For

Lockport construction injury attorney

construction site injury lawyer Niagara County

workplace injury Lockport NY

construction accident claim New York

third-party construction injury claim

workers compensation construction injuries

Lockport job site injury legal help

personal injury construction accident attorney

FAQS

What should I do immediately after a construction site injury in Lockport?

Immediately after a construction site injury, seek medical attention without delay and follow any emergency treatment recommendations. Obtaining prompt medical care both protects your health and creates a documented medical record linking your injuries to the incident, which is important for any future claim. If possible, preserve evidence at the scene by taking photographs, noting hazardous conditions, and collecting contact information for witnesses who saw the accident. Notify your employer about the injury according to workplace reporting procedures and request copies of any incident reports prepared at the time. Keep careful records of medical visits, diagnoses, prescriptions, and any out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment. Consulting with counsel early can help you understand reporting deadlines and whether other parties beyond your employer might be liable, which may affect the best course of action for preserving your rights.

Can I pursue a third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation?

Yes, in many cases injured workers can pursue a third-party claim in addition to workers’ compensation benefits when another party’s negligence contributed to the accident. Examples include claims against subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, or suppliers whose actions or defects caused the injury. Third-party claims can seek damages not available under workers’ compensation, such as compensation for pain and suffering and full wage loss beyond workers’ compensation limits. To succeed in a third-party claim, you must show that the other party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach caused your injury and resulting losses. Gathering evidence like maintenance records, contracts, safety inspections, and witness statements is crucial, and coordinating medical documentation helps establish causation and the extent of damages. Timely investigation helps preserve evidence and identify all potentially liable parties.

How long do I have to file a construction injury claim in New York?

Deadlines for filing claims depend on the type of action and the applicable statute of limitations in New York. Personal injury claims typically must be filed within a specific timeframe from the date of the accident, and workers’ compensation claims have separate reporting and filing deadlines that must be observed to secure benefits. Failure to file within the required time can result in losing the right to pursue recovery, so prompt action is important. Because rules vary by claim type and circumstances, early consultation helps ensure deadlines are met and claims are filed properly. A review of the incident date, employment status, and the identities of potential defendants will clarify applicable time limits. Taking timely legal steps also helps preserve physical evidence and witness testimony that could be critical to proving liability and damages.

Will my employer’s insurance cover all my medical bills and lost wages?

Employer workers’ compensation insurance typically covers necessary medical treatment and provides partial wage replacement for eligible employees injured on the job. These benefits address many immediate needs but often do not cover pain and suffering or full wage loss in cases where long-term disability affects earning capacity. Workers’ compensation may also limit the ability to sue your employer directly in many circumstances. Because workers’ compensation may not fully compensate for all losses, injured workers should explore whether third parties share liability and whether a separate civil claim is appropriate. Understanding the difference between benefits available through workers’ compensation and damages recoverable from other negligent parties can help ensure a fuller recovery for medical expenses, future care, lost income, and non-economic harms.

How is fault determined in a construction accident?

Fault in a construction accident is determined by examining whether a party failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances and whether that failure caused the injury. Evidence like safety records, training documentation, equipment maintenance logs, witness statements, photographs, and incident reports can show whether an employer, contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer acted negligently. Establishing causation between the negligent act and the injury is a key element of proving fault. Investigations often involve reconstructing the incident to determine how it occurred and identifying any breaches of safety standards or regulations. In some cases, analysis of defective equipment or inadequate site supervision may reveal responsibility. A careful review of contractual relationships and jobsite roles helps pinpoint which parties had duties related to safety and can be held accountable for breaches that led to the injury.

What types of compensation can I recover after a construction injury?

In construction injury cases, injured individuals may recover compensation for medical expenses, both past and reasonably anticipated future treatment, as well as reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs related to care. Wage replacement for lost earnings while recovering and compensation for reduced earning capacity if injuries affect future work are also common components of recovery. Additionally, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life may be available in third-party claims. When multiple claims are involved, damages can be coordinated to address different aspects of loss, and settlements or awards are structured to cover ongoing medical needs and financial stability. Proper documentation of medical care, employment records, and expert assessments of future needs supports accurate valuation of damages and helps ensure compensation aligns with the full impact of the injury.

Do I need to speak with a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer?

It is wise to consult before accepting any settlement offer, especially if an insurer approaches you soon after an accident. Early offers may seem convenient but can undervalue present and future medical needs, lost income, and other damages, and accepting a payment could release further claims. A legal review can clarify whether an offer fairly compensates for all anticipated expenses and long-term consequences of the injury. A consultation helps you understand the implications of settlement terms, including any release language that could prevent later claims for ongoing or worsening conditions. Taking time to assess the full scope of damages and collecting supporting documentation before agreeing to a resolution helps protect long-term interests and ensures any settlement is informed and appropriate.

How do you investigate construction site incidents?

Investigating construction site incidents involves collecting physical evidence, obtaining incident and inspection reports, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing maintenance and training records to determine how the accident occurred. Photographs of the scene, damaged equipment, and hazardous conditions are invaluable, and securing statements while memories remain fresh helps preserve important details. In many cases, it is also necessary to obtain contractual documents to understand the roles and responsibilities of contractors and subcontractors at the site. Medical records and treatment histories are gathered to link injuries to the incident and to document the extent of harm and expected recovery. When appropriate, technical analyses or independent inspections of equipment and site safety practices may be pursued to identify defective products or unsafe procedures. A coordinated, timely investigation increases the likelihood of locating critical evidence and establishing the chain of causation needed for claims.

What if multiple contractors share responsibility for my injury?

When multiple contractors share responsibility, claims can be brought against all potentially liable parties to ensure each contribution to the injury is addressed. Determining responsibility requires examining contracts, jobsite supervision, scope of work assignments, and safety practices to identify which party had control over the condition that caused the harm. Comparative fault principles may apply, allocating responsibility among multiple defendants based on their relative contributions to the accident. Coordinating claims against several parties helps prevent gaps in recovery and ensures that compensation sources are pursued comprehensively. It is important to identify every party with potential liability early so claims are preserved and appropriate parties are included in litigation or settlement discussions, which improves the chance of obtaining fair compensation for medical care, lost earnings, and other damages.

How long will it take to resolve my construction injury claim?

The time to resolve a construction injury claim varies significantly depending on factors such as the severity of injuries, the complexity of liability issues, the number of parties involved, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Some straightforward workers’ compensation claims or negotiated settlements may be resolved in a matter of months, while complex third-party cases involving serious injuries, multiple defendants, or contested liability can take a year or longer. Ongoing medical treatment and the need to evaluate future care often influence the timeline for resolution. Throughout the process, active case management, timely evidentiary work, and good communication with medical providers and opposing parties can help streamline progress. While no specific timetable can be guaranteed, regular updates and realistic planning help clients understand progress and anticipated next steps, and prompt action early in the claim improves prospects for preserving evidence and achieving a timely, fair outcome.

Personal Injury Services in Lockport

Explore our injury practice areas

⚖️ All Personal Injury Services