Scaffolding Accident Lawyer

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we understand that the construction industry forms the backbone of Buffalo's development. From the towering cranes reshaping the skyline near Canalside to the restoration projects in the Elmwood Village, construction workers face significant risks daily, particularly those working on scaffolding.

When scaffolding accidents occur in Western New York, the physical, emotional, and financial toll can be devastating. Our dedicated team of scaffolding accident lawyers serves victims throughout Erie County and beyond, providing comprehensive legal representation focused on securing maximum compensation for those injured in these preventable incidents.

How a Scaffolding Accident Lawyer Can Help To Maximize Compensation

Our scaffolding accident lawyers understand that scaffolding accidents can cause devastating injuries and significant financial hardship for construction workers and their families throughout Buffalo.

• Thorough accident investigation: Our team carefully examines all aspects of your scaffolding accident, from equipment defects to safety violations, documenting crucial evidence at construction sites across Western New York.
• Identification of all liable parties: Our scaffolding accident lawyer will determine every responsible entity, including general contractors, subcontractors, property owners, equipment manufacturers, and others who may have contributed to your accident near Canalside or elsewhere in Buffalo.
• Application of New York's Scaffold Law: Our scaffolding accident lawyers leverage Labor Law 240's powerful protections to hold property owners and contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries when proper safety equipment wasn't provided.
• Comprehensive damage calculation: Our scaffold accident lawyer assesses all financial impacts of your injury, including medical treatment at Buffalo General, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and necessary modifications to your South Buffalo home.
• Expert witness coordination: Our scaffolding accident lawyer will work with medical professionals, safety consultants, and economic analysts familiar with Buffalo's construction industry to strengthen your scaffolding accident claim.
• Strategic negotiation with insurers: Our construction accident lawyers handle all communications with insurance companies that often try to minimize payouts for legitimate scaffolding injuries sustained at Buffalo construction sites.
• Third-party claim analysis: Our scaffolding accident lawyer will identify additional compensation opportunities beyond workers' compensation, potentially including claims against contractors, property developers, or equipment suppliers working throughout Erie County.
• Clear explanation of legal options: Our scaffolding accident lawyer ensure you understand all available legal pathways following your scaffolding accident near KeyBank Center, including workers' compensation, personal injury claims, and potential product liability actions.
• Statute of limitations management: Our construction accident lawyer ensures all necessary filings occur within New York State's required timeframes, preserving your right to compensation after accidents from Allentown to the Outer Harbor.
• Trial preparation: When fair settlements aren't offered, our scaffolding accident lawyers prepare comprehensive trial strategies backed by detailed evidence and compelling narratives about your accident in Buffalo's Elmwood Village or other neighborhoods.

If you've been injured in a scaffolding accident anywhere in Western New York, contact Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP today for a free consultation. Our construction accident lawyers will fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you deserve while you focus on your recovery.

Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled To After a Scaffold Accident Injury

Our scaffolding accident lawyer understand that scaffolding accidents can cause devastating financial burdens beyond the physical injuries themselves. Our Buffalo-based scaffolding accident lawyers work diligently to secure all forms of compensation you deserve under New York law.

• Medical expense reimbursement: All costs related to your treatment, including emergency care at ECMC, surgeries, specialist visits, physical therapy sessions, prescription medications, and necessary medical equipment for your recovery from scaffolding injuries.
• Lost wages recovery: Complete compensation for income lost during your recovery period, whether you were working on a downtown Buffalo renovation project or a new development near Delaware Park when your scaffolding accident occurred.
• Diminished earning capacity: Long-term financial support when scaffolding injuries prevent you from returning to your previous construction position or require you to work fewer hours or in a lower-paying role in Western New York's construction industry.
• Pain and suffering damages: Monetary compensation for the physical pain and discomfort experienced both immediately after your scaffolding accident and throughout your recovery journey in Buffalo.
• Emotional distress compensation: Recognition of the psychological impact of serious scaffolding injuries, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and sleep disturbances that affect your quality of life across Erie County.
• Home modification costs: Financial support for necessary changes to your residence, whether in North Buffalo or Cheektowaga, including wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, bathroom modifications, or other accessibility improvements needed after severe scaffolding accidents.
• Rehabilitation expenses: Coverage for both physical and vocational rehabilitation programs essential to your recovery and potential career transition following scaffolding accidents at Buffalo construction sites.
• Loss of life enjoyment: Compensation acknowledging your reduced ability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, from attending Bills games to walking along the waterfront at Canalside due to scaffolding accident injuries.
• Permanent disability benefits: Substantial compensation when scaffolding accidents cause permanent impairments that will affect you for life, calculated based on severity and impact on your future in Western New York.
• Punitive damages: In cases involving extreme negligence or willful disregard for safety at Buffalo construction sites, additional compensation may be awarded to punish responsible parties and deter similar dangerous scaffolding practices.

Common Injuries Associated with Scaffold Accidents

Our scaffolding accident lawyer has represented numerous Buffalo construction workers who have suffered serious injuries in scaffolding accidents throughout Western New York, from the medical campus to waterfront development projects.

• Traumatic brain injuries: Falls from elevated scaffolding often result in severe head trauma, causing cognitive impairments, memory loss, and long-term neurological damage that requires extensive treatment at Buffalo General Hospital.
• Spinal cord damage: Scaffolding collapses at construction sites near Delaware Park or downtown Buffalo can cause devastating spinal injuries leading to partial or complete paralysis, fundamentally changing victims' lives and futures.
• Multiple fractures: The impact from scaffolding falls frequently results in broken bones throughout the body, particularly affecting legs, arms, hips, and ribs, often requiring surgical intervention and lengthy rehabilitation at ECMC.
• Crush injuries: When scaffolding structures fail at Buffalo construction sites, workers can become trapped beneath heavy materials, leading to severe tissue damage, internal organ injuries, and potential amputation of limbs.
• Internal organ damage: The significant force involved in scaffolding accidents across Erie County construction projects can cause life-threatening injuries to vital organs, often requiring emergency surgery and resulting in permanent complications.
• Severe lacerations and puncture wounds: Contact with broken scaffolding components, exposed nails, or other construction materials during accidents in the Elmwood Village or South Buffalo can cause deep cuts requiring surgical repair.
• Shoulder and knee injuries: Falls or sudden movements to prevent falls from unsafe scaffolding often result in torn rotator cuffs, dislocations, and ligament damage that may permanently limit mobility and working capacity.
• Repetitive stress injuries: Even without catastrophic scaffolding failures, the repetitive climbing, bending, and lifting required when working on scaffolding near Canalside and other Buffalo locations can cause gradual but serious physical damage.
• Burn injuries: Scaffolding erected near electrical lines or in proximity to flammable materials at construction sites throughout Western New York creates risk for severe burns requiring specialized treatment and resulting in permanent scarring.
• Psychological trauma: Beyond physical harm, many scaffolding accident victims experience significant anxiety, PTSD, and fear of heights following their incidents at Buffalo construction sites, requiring ongoing psychological support.

Common Causes of Scaffold Accidents on Construction Sites

Our scaffolding accident lawyer will have investigated numerous scaffolding accidents across Buffalo construction sites and identified several recurring safety failures that frequently lead to serious injuries for hardworking construction personnel throughout Western New York.

• Improper scaffold assembly: Scaffolding structures at Buffalo development projects are often assembled incorrectly, with missing cross braces, inadequate planking, or improper securing methods that create unstable working platforms prone to catastrophic failure.
• Insufficient worker training: Many construction companies operating around Canalside and the Buffalo medical campus fail to provide comprehensive training on scaffold safety protocols, leaving workers without crucial knowledge about proper use and potential hazards.
• Inadequate fall protection: Construction sites throughout Erie County frequently lack proper guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems required by New York Labor Law 240, directly contributing to devastating scaffolding falls and injuries.
• Defective scaffolding components: Worn, damaged, or improperly manufactured scaffold parts used at construction sites near Delaware Park and downtown Buffalo can fail unexpectedly, causing platforms to collapse even when properly assembled.
• Exceeded weight capacity: Contractors working on renovation projects in Allentown and South Buffalo sometimes overload scaffolding with workers, tools, and construction materials beyond the structure's designed weight limitations, leading to sudden collapse.
• Scaffold placement hazards: Erecting scaffolding too close to power lines at Buffalo construction sites creates serious electrocution risks, while unstable ground conditions near the Buffalo River can cause entire structures to shift or topple.
• Weather-related dangers: Buffalo's notorious weather conditions, including strong winds off Lake Erie, heavy snowfall, and ice accumulation, create additional scaffolding hazards that require special precautions often overlooked by construction companies.
• Improper access methods: Many scaffolding injuries near KeyBank Center and other Buffalo locations occur when safe access methods like properly secured ladders or stairs are missing, forcing workers to climb scaffold components not designed for this purpose.
• Falling object hazards: Tools, building materials, and debris dropping from higher scaffold levels endanger workers below, particularly on multi-story projects in the Elmwood Village and Larkin District where proper toe boards and debris netting are absent.
• Inadequate inspections: Many Western New York construction companies fail to conduct required daily scaffolding inspections before each work shift, allowing dangerous conditions to go undetected until serious accidents and injuries occur.

Who is Liable For My Scaffold Accident Injuries?

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we thoroughly investigate scaffolding accidents throughout Buffalo to identify all potentially responsible parties under New York's strong worker protection laws, particularly Labor Law 240 which provides significant safeguards for construction workers injured in height-related accidents.

• Property owners: Under New York's Scaffold Law, property owners across Buffalo and Erie County bear strict liability for scaffolding accidents that occur on their premises, regardless of whether they directly supervised the work or were present at locations from Canalside to the Medical Campus.
• General contractors: The primary contractors managing Buffalo construction projects maintain responsibility for overall site safety and can be held liable for scaffolding accidents caused by inadequate safety measures, improper supervision, or failure to enforce regulations.
• Subcontractors: Specialized companies contracted for specific tasks at construction sites throughout Western New York, including scaffold assembly firms, may share liability when their actions or negligence contribute to dangerous conditions leading to injuries.
• Scaffold rental companies: Businesses that provide scaffolding equipment to Buffalo construction projects near Delaware Park or downtown developments can be liable if they supply defective, damaged, or improperly maintained structures that fail during normal use.
• Scaffold manufacturers: Companies that design and produce scaffolding components used across Buffalo worksites bear responsibility for products that fail due to design flaws, manufacturing defects, or inadequate safety warnings.
• Construction managers: Professionals overseeing projects throughout Buffalo neighborhoods from Allentown to South Buffalo can be liable when they fail to address known scaffolding hazards or neglect required safety inspections and enforcement.
• Engineers and architects: Design professionals who create plans for Buffalo construction projects may face liability when their specifications include unsafe scaffolding arrangements or fail to account for proper safety systems required by New York code.
• Safety consultants: Third-party safety firms hired to monitor compliance at Buffalo construction sites can share responsibility when they fail to identify and address dangerous scaffolding conditions prior to accidents.
• Other subcontractors or workers: In some cases, other trades working at multi-employer sites near KeyBank Center or the Elmwood Village may create hazardous conditions affecting scaffolding safety, making them potentially liable for resulting injuries.
• Material suppliers: Companies providing components used in scaffolding assembly at Buffalo construction sites may be liable if they supply non-compliant or defective parts that contribute to structural failures and worker injuries.

What To Do If Injured From a Scaffold Accident

At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, we've guided countless Buffalo construction workers through the critical steps following scaffolding accidents, and taking proper actions immediately after your injury can significantly strengthen your legal claim and protect your right to compensation.

• Seek immediate medical attention: Even if injuries seem minor after a scaffolding accident near Canalside or other Buffalo locations, obtain professional medical care at facilities like ECMC or Buffalo General, as some serious conditions may not show immediate symptoms and prompt documentation establishes a crucial link between the accident and your injuries.
• Report the accident to supervisors: Formally notify your employer about the scaffolding accident as soon as possible, ensuring the incident is properly documented in writing and creating an official record of what occurred at the Buffalo construction site.
• Document the accident scene: If physically able, use your smartphone to photograph the scaffolding, surrounding conditions, and any visible safety violations at the Western New York construction site, as this visual evidence often proves invaluable during subsequent legal proceedings.
• Collect witness information: Obtain contact details from coworkers and other witnesses who observed your scaffolding accident in Buffalo's Elmwood Village or other neighborhoods, as their testimonies can provide critical support for establishing liability under New York's Labor Law 240.
• Preserve physical evidence: Ensure that damaged scaffolding components, failed safety equipment, and other relevant materials from the Erie County construction site are preserved rather than discarded, as these items may require expert examination to determine exact failure mechanisms.
• File a workers' compensation claim: Initiate your workers' compensation process promptly after a Buffalo scaffolding accident, following all required procedures and deadlines while understanding that these benefits may represent only a portion of your potential recovery.
• Maintain detailed records: Create a comprehensive file documenting all medical treatments, expenses, missed workdays, and physical limitations resulting from your scaffolding accident at a Buffalo construction project, establishing a clear record of your damages.
• Limit communications with insurers: Avoid providing recorded statements or signing documents from insurance companies representing contractors or property owners involved in your Buffalo scaffolding accident without first consulting with a scaffolding accident lawyer.
• Follow medical advice precisely: Adhere strictly to all treatment recommendations and attend every scheduled appointment following your scaffolding accident, as gaps in medical care can be used to undermine your claim's legitimacy or suggest your injuries aren't serious.
• Contact a scaffolding accident lawyer: Consult with our experienced scaffolding accident lawyer at Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP as soon as possible after your Buffalo scaffolding accident to understand all available legal options beyond workers' compensation, including potential third-party claims under New York's powerful Scaffold Law.

Get the Legal Support You Deserve After a Scaffolding Accident

Don't face the aftermath of a scaffolding accident alone. At Rosenthal Kooshoian & Lennon, LLP, our Buffalo-based scaffolding accident lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation, and let us put our knowledge of New York's Scaffold Law to work for you while you focus on your recovery.

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Scaffolding Accident Lawyer FAQs

How soon after my scaffolding accident must I file a legal claim in Buffalo?

For personal injury claims related to scaffolding accidents in New York State, you generally have three years from the date of injury to file. However, workers' compensation claims have much shorter deadlines, often requiring notice within 30 days. Cases involving municipal entities in Buffalo may have even shorter notice requirements, sometimes as little as 90 days. Our scaffolding accident lawyer recommends consulting with our scaffolding accident lawyers immediately after your injury to ensure all deadlines are met.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my scaffolding accident?

Yes. New York follows comparative negligence rules, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for your scaffolding accident at a Buffalo construction site. Your percentage of fault may reduce your compensation, but New York's Scaffold Law often provides absolute liability protection for workers in height-related accidents, frequently overriding comparative negligence considerations.

What makes New York's Scaffold Law different from laws in other states?

New York's Labor Law 240, commonly called the Scaffold Law, is uniquely protective of construction workers. Unlike most states that use standard negligence principles, this law imposes absolute liability on property owners and contractors for gravity-related injuries when proper safety equipment isn't provided. This means that in Buffalo and throughout New York, injured workers often don't need to prove negligence to recover compensation beyond workers' compensation benefits.

How much is my Buffalo scaffolding accident case worth?

Each scaffolding accident case has a unique value based on factors including injury severity, long-term impact on earning capacity, medical treatment costs at Buffalo facilities, pain and suffering, and liability circumstances. While some scaffolding accident cases in Western New York settle for tens of thousands, others involving permanent disabilities may result in multi-million dollar recoveries. Our scaffolding accident lawyers provide personalized evaluations based on your specific situation.

Will I need to testify in court about my scaffolding accident?

While most scaffolding accident cases in Buffalo settle before trial, you should be prepared for the possibility of testifying. Your testimony about safety conditions at the construction site, how the accident occurred, and how your injuries have affected your life can be powerful evidence. Our scaffolding accident lawyer thoroughly prepare clients for any required testimony, ensuring you feel confident and ready if a court appearance becomes necessary.

What if my employer doesn't carry workers' compensation insurance?

If your employer at a Buffalo construction site doesn't maintain required workers' compensation coverage, you may have additional legal options. The New York State Uninsured Employers' Fund provides benefits to workers injured while working for uninsured employers. Additionally, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against your employer, which isn't typically permitted when workers' compensation is in place.

Can undocumented workers receive compensation for scaffolding accidents in Buffalo?

Yes. Undocumented workers injured in scaffolding accidents throughout Western New York have the same rights to pursue workers' compensation benefits and third-party claims as documented workers. New York courts have consistently upheld these protections, and immigration status should not prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve after a construction injury.

Should I accept a settlement offer from the insurance company after my scaffolding accident?

Our scaffolding accident lawyer strongly recommends consulting with our construction accident lawyers before accepting any settlement offer following a Buffalo scaffolding accident. Initial offers typically fall far below the true value of serious injury claims and may not account for future medical needs or long-term disabilities. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot seek additional compensation even if your condition worsens or complications develop.