Rochester Construction Accident Lawyers

★★★★★

We absolutely can’t thank you enough.

Powers & Santola was so knowledgeable and caring. I was so very fortunate to find such a great law firm.

- John

Every day, workers suffer serious injuries due to preventable construction accidents in Rochester. At Powers & Santola, LLP, we realize how these injuries can cause tremendous physical pain and mental anguish. We also know how medical bills and the inability to work can lead to a great deal of personal and financial stress. The worker and his or her entire family suffers.

Since we founded our law firm in 1987, we have stood up for the rights of injured construction workers in Rochester and throughout New York. One of our founding partners, Daniel R. Santola, wrote a legal treatise on construction accident claims in New York. Today, he is considered to be one of the state’s leading authorities on the subject.

If you recently suffered injury in a construction accident in Rochester or a nearby area in New York, we are ready to help you. Contact us today to discuss your case. Our initial consultations are free. We will review your case and explain your rights and all legal options which may be available to you.

Common Types of Construction Accidents

People can get hurt in many different ways at construction sites in Rochester. Often, a negligent supervisor, general contractor, subcontractor or property owner is responsible for the harm that a worker suffers in one of these accidents. Here are some of the common construction accidents we handle:

Falls from heights

Sometimes, subcontractors tasked with building scaffolding are may be careless. They may quickly and cheaply construct these temporary structures. Their negligence can lead to serious or even fatal injuries to other workers on the site. Many falls from roofs, ladders and other heights are due to a lack of proper fall prevention equipment.

Slip and falls

Construction sites can be full of slip-and-fall hazards, including holes, slick surfaces, cluttered walkways and cords that are strewn across walking areas.

Electrocution

Electrical contractors often fail to notify the site that electricity is back on, causing worker to suffer harm. In many cases, workers are asked to work on or near live power lines.

Car accidents

Cars, trucks, fork lifts and many other vehicles move through construction sites. A worker who is struck by a vehicle can suffer devastating injuries.

Trench collapses

Trenches are often used to perform maintenance or repairs to underground lines and pipes. If not built and supported properly, these trenches can collapse, causing deadly injuries to workers who may be trapped inside.

Crane collapses

A negligent crane operator can permanently injure people and claim lives by not understanding weight imbalances and load capacities.

Flying objects

Hand tools and other objects can go flying through the air workers do not use or store them properly.

Falling debris

Workers on higher platforms of a structure may drop tools or accidentally cause planks of wood or other materials to fall on those below.

Power tool injuries

When power tools are not used properly, or safety guards are removed, terrible amputations and other injuries can occur.

Read our Construction Accident Blogs

The Role of Common Law Negligence in New York Construction Accident Lawsuits

Posted: September 22, 2023

The owner or general contractor of a New York construction project can be held liable for a worksite accident under a number of different legal principles. One is what is known as common law negligence. Essentially, the courts have long recognized that a project owner or employer has a basic duty to provide a “safe …

Continue reading “The Role of Common Law Negligence in New York Construction Accident Lawsuits”

The Risks of “Struck-By” Accidents Involving Backhoes on Construction Sites

Posted: August 22, 2023

Construction accidents often occur in just a few seconds. But the victims can sustain potentially deadly or life-long consequences as a result of their injuries. So it is critical to hold contractors, subcontractors, and third parties legally accountable when their negligence leads to a preventable construction accident. Indeed, it is important to remember that construction …

Continue reading “The Risks of “Struck-By” Accidents Involving Backhoes on Construction Sites”

Were You Violently Attacked on a Construction Site?

Posted: July 28, 2023

Construction accidents are often the result of negligence and an inadequate focus on safety. Some accidents, however, stem from violent attacks. Indeed, about 9% of workplace deaths are the result of violent attacks, and thousands of workers are injured each year in violent confrontations. Attacks at construction sites are increasing. What can you do if …

Continue reading “Were You Violently Attacked on a Construction Site?”

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Common Causes
of Construction Accidents

Construction accidents in Rochester generally are caused by the negligence of one or more of the following:

Premises owners
General contractors
Agents of the owner or contractor.

There’s no shortage of reasons why construction accidents happen. Sometimes, it’s a lack of adequate equipment needed to do the job right. Other times, it’s just a lack of following basic safety protocols. At other times, a breakdown in communication or a complete lack of proper supervision can lead to accidents.

Whatever the reasons for the injury, if negligence played a role, then the injured party may be eligible for compensation. Let Powers & Santola, LLP fight to pursue all compensation that you deserve.

Your Legal Options After a Construction Accident in New York

Unlike many other states, New York provides clear legal options for injured construction workers. It all depends on who is responsible for the negligent conduct, where the injuries occurred and who suffered injuries.

For example, New York Labor Law § 240(1), or the “Scaffold Law,” requires construction site owners, contractors and their agents to ensure the safety of workers who perform tasks in a location, or in a manner, where they could fall from one level to another. If the owner or contractor failed to fulfill this duty in your case, and you suffered injury or lost a loved one as the result of this failure, you may be eligible to sue the owner or contractor for damages.

At Powers & Santola, LLP, we know the ins-and-outs of New York’s Labor Laws. We also know how to thoroughly investigation construction accident cases. We can review your case and help you to sort through the various legal options that may be available to you after a construction site accident in Rochester.

Compensation Available in Construction Injury Claims

When we represent injured construction workers and others who are hurt on work sites, the attorneys of Powers & Santola, LLP, work diligently to identify all sources of potential compensation. We may be able to help you collect money for:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium (loss of familial relations)
Wrongful death of a loved one.

For those dealing with Rochester construction injury claims, the process can seem daunting. But the attorneys of Powers & Santola, LLP, have considerable experience working with injured people and their families. We understand the keys to success in handling these complex claims. When you have been hurt on a construction site, you can trust our team to pursue all compensation you are due.

Contact Our Rochester Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Attorney Daniel R. Santola and our legal team at Powers & Santola, LLP, has extensive experience with fighting for workers with catastrophic workplace injuries in Rochester and throughout New York. We will make sure your rights are fully protected and pursue maximum compensation for you. Don’t wait to take action. Call or reach us online today for a free consultation.

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Delayed Cancer
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Nursing Home
Negligence

Traumatic
Brain Injury

Wrongful
Death

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Changing Lives for the Better

When someone injures you, your life gets turned upside down. Suddenly, you may face a ton of medical bills. You may be unable to work or help out around the home. Others may need to care for you around the clock. Nothing is the same.

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