Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Explosion In Bronx Junkyard Kills One And Injures Another

More than 100 firefighters responded to a call about a blaze at a junkyard on Boston Road in the Bronx after an explosion caused the fire.

Officials Investigate Cause Of Bronx Junkyard Explosion

According to a police report, two workers were present when the explosion happened at around 3:10 p.m. and the force of the blast threw them both off their feet. When emergency officials arrived, they found one worker seriously injured. Today, he is in a medically induced coma fighting for his life.

They were unable to locate the second worker for a significant amount of time and initially declared him missing. Hours after the explosion his body was found.

There has been no word about what caused the explosion or what the impact the burning plastic and metal will have on the environment.

Workers' Compensation Should Cover The Injured Workers' Medical Expenses

Treatment for injuries were severe enough to force doctors to put the worker in a medically induced coma will be very costly. Thankfully, workers' compensation should cover all of these expenses.

That being said, it's disturbing how many workers' compensation claims are dismissed outright for simple mistakes. This is why so many injured workers and their loved ones seek the help of an experienced workers' compensation attorney.

An attorney can make sure that all paperwork is correctly filled out and filed in a timely manner. They can speak with the insurance company and find the evidence that is needed for the claim.

If a denial has been issued, an attorney can fight to have the denial overturned.

If you or a loved one are seeking a consultation with a workers' comp attorney, contact one of The Disability Guy's local law firms today:

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

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Building Collapses In The Bronx Killing One & Injuring Several Others

The family members of one construction worker are mourning after a partial building collapse claimed his life and injured several others in the Bronx.

Firefighters Called To Dig Construction Workers Out Of Rubble

Just before noon on August 27th, 2019, firefighters were dispatched to a construction site where callers to 911 had reported that a building had collapsed. When they arrived, they discovered that the third floor had collapsed, debris trapping workers on the second floor. While immediate attempts were made to reach workers caught in the rubble, the responding units had to place support beams under the first floor ceiling so that the remaining structure did not collapse.

By the time the trapped workers were reached, one man had died from his injuries. Several others sustained serious injuries.

Investigators have issued a stop work order and are working hard to determine what caused the collapse. The loved ones of the worker who was killed are hoping that answers come quickly and that, if someone failed to protect the construction crew, they are held accountable.

Thousands Of Workers’ Comp Claims And Construction Accident Lawsuits Are Filed Yearly

Generally speaking, construction accidents don’t just “happen”. These accidents occur because a person or group failed to take the necessary steps to ensure that the construction workers on the job are kept safe in a dangerous environment.

Nothing can take away the incredible pain and suffering experienced by an injured construction worker and their loved ones but there are certain claims that can help to alleviate any financial burdens.

A workers’ compensation claim can help an injured worker by paying for medical bills and a fraction of lost wages. These claims aren’t easy to obtain approval for, however, and often legal assistance is needed to ensure that the insurance companies make the appropriate payout.

In addition to a workers’ compensation claim, a construction accident lawsuit could be filed against the person or party responsible. These lawsuits can provide additional compensation for all lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma.

The Disability Guys have successfully assisted thousands of New Yorkers with their workers’ compensation claims and construction accident lawsuits. Contact our local law offices today to learn more about the compensation that you may be owed.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Construcion Worker Crushed By Collapsing Wall In Queens

Watching new buildings being constructed can be exciting but the truth is that the workers involved in the construction process are putting their lives at risk almost every day. Steps can be taken to prevent accidents from happening but often these steps are overlooked because it will delay construction and cost more money. The result is lives lost on the job.

Wall Collapse In Queens Claims A Life

At around 2 p.m. at Rockaway Beach, a 57-year-old man who was working in a partially constructed building was crushed when a wall collapsed. His coworkers discovered him while he was still alive but unconscious and he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite his emergency doctors best efforts, he died from his injuries at the hospital.

The Department of Buildings is investigating the accident.

Families Can Recover Compensation After A Construction Accident Death

Workers’ compensation, which is required by law, offers death benefits to the loved ones of a construction worker who was killed in a work accident. These benefits are no-fault, so even if the employee's actions contributed to their accident, benefits should be awarded. Unfortunately, insurance companies make it very difficult to obtain these benefits so that the company saves money.

The legal team at Markhoff & Mittman is proud to represent the loved ones of workers whose lives have been taken too early. Our lawyers aggressively fight for the maximum compensation possible, knowing that while it won’t bring a loved one back, it will help their family build a financially stable future.

When a client chooses to work with Markhoff and Mittman why can feel secure knowing that they have the experience and passion for the law on their side. Our goal is client satisfaction and we make sure our clients feel supported through every step of the legal process.

To learn more about our law firm, contact one of our local offices:

Monday, July 1, 2019

Golden Theatre Stagehands Injured In Work Accident

The Golden Theatre is a Broadway theatre that has brought a lot of joy and amusement to visitors and the workers who help to put on shows. But recently, a work accident caused three stagehands to become injured.

Three Golden Theatre Workers Transported To Local Hospitals

According to the the organization that owns and operates the famous venue, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. on June 27th, 2019. A piece of rigging that was in the "fly space" of the stage fell nearly 30 feet, striking the three workers.

The falling object caused the workers to sustain serious injuries that could potentially be life altering. One stagehand had an ear severed and another was diagnosed with a fractured skull. The third has a broken arm and also sustained back and neck trauma. Each is in stable condition and is receiving medical care for their injuries.

How Can Workers' Comp Help These Injured Men?

The medical care that these injured men will require may be quite expensive. By filing a workers' compensation claim, they should have all medical treatments pertaining to these injuries paid for through the insurance policy. If they are unable to return to work for an extended period of time they may also be able to recover compensation for a fraction of lost wages.

Sadly, through no fault of their own, it may be difficult to obtain payments through workers' comp. But by working with an experienced attorney injured workers can obtain the full compensation that they are owed.

To learn more about workers' compensation claims and how an attorney can assist you, contact The Disability Guys at one of our local offices:

Monday, June 3, 2019

Construction Worker Falls Through Scaffolding Without Guardrail

Yet again, a hard working New York construction worker has died due to a fall from a height.

Construction Worker Falls 30 Feet To His Death In Manhattan

On May 18th, 2019, a 49-year-old construction worker from Queens was working to clean debris off of a 5th floor scaffold. The building he was working at is undergoing a $100 million renovation and construction work has been ongoing for some time. The victim, Giuseppe Pagano, had been a long time employee of the construction company, Sciame Construction.

Although investigators are unsure why he slipped, what happened next is obvious. Pagano fell, slipping through a section of the scaffolding that lacked a guardrail, and fell 30 feet. He was rushed to the hospital immediately but was died from the injuries he sustained in the fall.

A stop work order was issued for the site immediately and representatives for the Department of Buildings have indicated that they intend to file violations.

A spokesperson for the construction company stated that they are deeply saddened by the loss and are cooperating fully with the DOB. It has been suggested that a subcotractor may have removed the guardrail while an interior curtain wall system was being installed. Whatever the reason, the fact is that the guardrail was required.

Family Can Pursue Justice After A Construction Death

When a construction worker dies, their loved ones can recover benefits through workers' compensation. These benefits can help ease any financial strain that occurs because of the loss of income.

Additionally, if a third-party is found to be responsible for the accident which caused the workers' death, a wrongful death claim may be filed. This can provide additional compensation and can also help the family feel a sense of justice.

To learn more about workers' compensation claims and wrongful death lawsuits, contact the experience New York attorneys at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.:

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Construction Worker Falls 13 Stories To His Death

A young man's life was cut tragically short because of a construction accident in Brooklyn.

Young Construction Worker Falls Off Of Building In Brooklyn

At around 10:00 a.m. on April 10th, 2019, 23-year-old Erik Mendoza was helping a coworker replace bricks under a water tower. Officials have not made public what happened next, but what is known is that Mendoza fell from the top of the building, falling 13-stories before landing. The fall resulted in his immediate death.

Mendoza had only been working at the construction job for a week before he died.

Many have wondered if the proper safety standards were in place and if Mendoza had been provided with a safety harness but officials have not commented on this. An investigation is ongoing.

Fatal Construction Accidents Are On The Rise In New York

When comparing the number of fatal accidents so far in 2019 to five years ago, a 33% increase in fatal accidents has occurred. While it might be easy to blame the construction boom in New York, the reality is that the vast majority of these deaths could have been prevented if the correct safety measures were taken.

Today, The Department Of Buildings requires all construction workers to have a minimum of 10 hours of training before they are allowed on a job site. Proof of this training is shown through a training card but already many employers are providing employees with counterfeit copies of this card so that time and money can be saved.

The DOB has announced that when these fake cards are discovered, the property owner, employer, and contractors will be fined $5,000 each. They hope to continue pressuring employers in the industry into complying with the law so that lives can be saved.

If you or a loved one have been injured while working a construction job you may be entitled to compensation through workers' compensation insurance. Call one of our local law offices to learn more.

Contact us at one of our local law offices:

Monday, April 22, 2019

Construction Worker Crushed By Falling Counter Weight From Crane

Once again, a construction worker has died in New York on the job, leaving their loved ones behind to mourn.

Crane Accidents Frequently Claim Lives

On Saturday, April 13th, 2019, a 34-year-old man and his coworkers were in the process of erecting a crane when a horrible accident happened. The counterweight on the crane dropped, crushing the 34-year-old construction worker. He died immediately.

His two coworkers were injured and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

A spokesman for the Department of Buildings said, "No building is worth a life.Every worker who leaves for the job site in the morning deserves to come home safely at night." He then confirmed that the department will be investigating the accident to determine what went wrong.

Death Benefits Are Available Through Workers' Comp

Many construction workers who are killed on the job leave behind families who were dependent on their income. This means that not only are their loved ones suffering immensely from the sudden death, but they are now facing financial distress.

Death benefits that are available through workers' compensation insurance can help to keep the surviving loved ones of an employee financially stable. But obtaining these benefits can be quite difficult. The lawyers at Markhoff and Mittman have helped thousands of families obtain the benefits that they deserve.

Our legal team understands how upsetting this time is and our goal is to ensure that our clients obtain the maximum benefits possible. Let us handle the insurance companies so you can focus on the future.

Contact us at one of our local law offices: