Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Construction Worker Settles Lawsuit For $350,000

A man who was seriously injured while working his construction job has settled his lawsuit for $350,000.

Construction Worker Impaled By Rebar

In 2016, while cutting a section of cement with a concrete saw, a 47-year-old was seriously injured with a piece of rebar came flying out of the cement and impaled him. He was rushed to the hospital with a penetrating injury to his abdomen and underwent emergency surgery.

His injury prevented him from working for at least three months.

While he was healing, he filed a lawsuit against the construction company alleging that the saw did not have the proper guard on. The company settled out of court for $350,000.

Saw Accidents Cause Permanent Damage To Construction Workers

Whenever a saw is in use on a construction site, company owners and managers must ensure that any worker using this tool has the appropriate safety gear and that the correct saw is being used. In addition to this, workers must be trained on how to use the tool.

If an injury occurs, not only does the worker have the right to file a workers compensation claim but they may also be able to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. This lawsuit can provide the plaintiff with full compensation for their physical pain, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.

If you or a loved one need help with a workers compensation claim or are wondering if you are eligible to file a construction accident lawsuit, contact The Disability Guys at one of our local law offices:

White Plains
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
120 Bloomingdale Rd #401
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1452

Brooklyn
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
186 Joralemon St. #701a
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-509-3599

Long Island
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1778 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
516-267-6873

NYC
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1825 Park Ave #901
New York, NY 10035
212-897-9004

Friday, November 9, 2018

Construction Company Managers Arrested For Assault

In the past several years, there has been a call for government officials to take action and to press criminal charges against company owners and contractors who are willfully negligent on the job. It would seem that officials are listening and taking the necessary action.

Two Men Charged After Construction Accident Involving A Crane

The site manager and branch manager for Western Waterproofing Company have both been charged with reckless endangerment and second-degree assault after two workers were seriously injured in an accident involving a mini-crane.

According to court records, the branch manager ordered the mini crane for the construction site even though none of the employees were trained or certified in its use. The site manager then ordered one of the employees to use it.

The employee who had been ordered to use the crane unknowingly overloaded it with glass and it tipped. When it fell, the boom struck two other workers, crushing them under its immense weight.

Both workers suffered serious injuries including traumatic brain injury and spinal damage. One of them is in a long-term rehabilitation center and the other requires continued medical care and assistance because his ability to walk has been compromised.

According to investigators, both the site and branch manager knew that they were ignoring regulations and even went so far as to lie to their supervisor about having the necessary permits.

This isn’t the first time that site managers have taken risks with workers lives in order to save time and money but hopefully, as more criminal charges are pressed against those involved, these types of accidents will happen less frequently.

Construction Accident Lawsuits: How Can Legal Action Help?

If you or a loved one have been seriously hurt in a construction accident, a lawsuit may help to provide compensation that will cover all medical expenses, lost wages, and physical pain and suffering.

Contact our legal team at one of our local offices to learn more:

White Plains
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
120 Bloomingdale Rd #401
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1452

Brooklyn
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
186 Joralemon St. #701a
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-509-3599

Long Island
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1778 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
516-267-6873

NYC
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1825 Park Ave #901
New York, NY 10035
212-897-9004

Friday, October 5, 2018

Construction Worker Injured In Fire Near Statue Of Liberty

At the end of August 2018, three propane tanks that were sitting on a construction site on Liberty Island caught on fire. The tanks, which sat around 200 feet from the base of the Statue of Liberty, contained nearly 300 pounds of propane. Fire fighters who were called the the scene immediately ordered an evacuation of the Island because of the potential explosion and over 3,000 people were removed from the island via ferry.

It took almost two hours for the fire fighters to put out the flames.

One of the construction workers who was near the tanks when they went up in flames suffered burns and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Burns: A Serious Injury That Can Have Serious Complications

Burns, which can be incredibly painful and can scar a patient for life, also come with a great chance of complications, the most dangerous of which is infection. Patients frequently require extensive hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing care which can cost thousands of dollars.

Workers' compensation, which should cover the medical expenses of any employee hurt on the job, can be very difficult to obtain. That's why many injured workers require the assistance of an attorney.

An experienced attorney can ensure that all claim paperwork is filled out correctly and can handle the appeals process if necessary. Without the help of a lawyer, injured workers often get their claims denied and suffer huge financial losses as a result.

White Plains
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
120 Bloomingdale Rd #401
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1452

Brooklyn
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
186 Joralemon St. #701a
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-509-3599

Long Island
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1778 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
516-267-6873

NYC
Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.
1825 Park Ave #901
New York, NY 10035
212-897-9004

Friday, September 7, 2018

Construction Worker Falls 22 Feet In New Building

The Department of Buildings has issued a stop work order at the construction site of a new building after learning about an accident which resulted in a construction worker falling 22 feet to the first floor.

Unsecured Plywood Causes Serious Accident

According to the DOB, the injured worker was at a job site in Manhattan and was working on an upper level when he took a step that would go on much longer than anticipated. The plywood he stepped on was unsecured and moved under his weight, sending him plunging to the first floor. He was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple injuries including a dislocated hip.

An Inspector from the DOB was sent to the location and four violations were issued, including:

1. Having open floors that were not marked.
2. Poor housekeeping throughout the entire building.
3. The absence of perimeter protections including netting.
4.The failure to safeguard persons or property.

A partial stop work order was also issued.

Falls At A Construction Site Can Kill

With the recent increase in construction jobs there has also been an increase in the number of accidents, including falls. A worker doesn't need to fall from an extraordinary height in order to sustain serious injuries like broken bones or brain trauma, which is why the DOB requires all employers to have the proper protections in place.

However, if a worker is hurt on the job they have the right to pursue a workers' comp claim which should pay for their medical expenses. To get help with your workers' comp claim, call our lawyers now.

Friday, August 3, 2018

New York Worker Injured At Three World Trade Center

A construction worker who was dismantling a wall at Three World Trade Center is just the latest in the industry to sustain an on the job injury.

Workers Sustains Non-Life Threatening Injuries In World Trade Center

According to a spokesperson for the building, the man who was injured was working to dismantle a wall, cutting through sheet rock and plywood. Although authorities have not stated how he was injured, they did note that it was a leg injury and that he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Construction Remains One Of The Most Dangerous Industries To Work In

There have been numerous advances in safety and technology which should prevent the majority of accidents from happening, however, many company owners and managers don't want to spend the time or the money to provide a better environment for their employees. Instead, they push for long hours and poor working conditions.

This is why OSHA & The Department of Buildings regularly inspects construction sites and fines those in charge, hoping to see some change in the number of accident which occur.

If you or a loved one were hurt while working a construction job, call our lawyers now to learn more about how the Workers' Compensation process works and how our legal team can help.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Falling Crane Sends Three Construction Workers To The Hospital

There are many things that can accidentally be dropped over the side of a building or scaffolding during construction work, such as paint cans, tools, and wooden planking. One thing that most construction workers don't ever think they will have to dodge is a falling crane, but that's precisely what happened on June 25th, 2018.

Harlem Workers Struck By Falling Crane

At around 11:00 am, workers at an East Harlem building site were installing a curtain wall on the fourth floor of a building using a mini crane. The crane, while considered mini, is still around six feet tall and weighs thousands of pounds. Somehow, during the course of their work, the construction workers on the fourth floor lost control of the crane and rolled over the side of the building, falling to the street below.

Three workers were hit by the falling heavy machinery. All three were rushed to the hospital where one was listed as being in critical condition, another is being hospitalized for serious injuries that are not life threatening, and the third was treated for minor injuries and released.

The Department Of Buildings Investigates

The DOB has not yet issued a stop work order, however, they are still investigating the accident and may determine that those responsible should be fined.

This is just one of many construction accidents which will take place in 2018. If you or a loved one are a construction workers who was seriously injured at work, contact our experienced attorneys now to learn more about how we can help you with your workers' compensation and disability claims.

Monday, June 4, 2018

The DOB Issues Stop Work Order At Manhattan Skyscraper

City officials have stopped construction work at a Manhattan skyscraper after a 67-year-old security guard was killed on the job.

Glass Panel Dropped Off Side Of Building

At around 10:30 a.m. on May 26th, 2018, construction workers were installing glass panels on the side of a skyscraper in downtown Manhattan when the unthinkable happened - the workers who were moving the 8x14 panel lost control of it and it dropped.

The panel, which weighed several thousand pounds, fell to the ground where it struck a security guard who was on duty. He survived the initial impact but then died later at the hospital despite the quick response of firefighters and police officers.

A second construction worker was hurt and treated for his injuries.

The DOB Issues Stop Work Order

Whenever a fatal accident occurs, the Department of Buildings investigates the accident. While it may take up to six months for a full report to be filed, so far the DOB has issued a violation for failing to safeguard the worksite and has stopped all work.

While it will bring little comfort to his family, the surviving loved ones of the security guard may be able to recover compensation for his death.

The attorneys at Markhoff & Mittman can help those who were hurt on the job or the loved ones of someone who was killed on the job by assisting them with their workers' comp claim. Learn more about our law firm and how we can help. Contact us at one of our offices: