During the spring and summer many New York construction workers are looking forward to longer work days and bigger paychecks. While this is certainly good news, longer work weeks also mean an increased risk of a construction accident that could leave you seriously injured.

Although statistics released by the New York City mayor’s office indicate that construction accidents declined slightly in 2011, there were still 152 workers injured and five killed in construction accidents that year in New York City. In addition, a series of potentially deadly crane accidents in New York over the past several years has led to increased concern about the risks of working on sites where a crane is present.

While you may not be able to prevent an accident, there are some important steps you should take after an accident that will help preserve your rights to compensation for your injuries.

1. Report the accident. Whether you ultimately receive compensation through the workers’ compensation system or a third-party lawsuit, you will need to prove that your injury occurred while on the job. For this reason, it is critical to report all accidents, injuries or incidents to your employer no matter how minor they seem at the time.
2. Seek medical treatment. Immediately after an accident you should have a thorough medical examination. Many construction accidents, such as those caused by falling objects or falls from a roof, cause internal injuries or brain injuries that are not always apparent right after the accident.
3. Obtain witness information. Construction sites are often busy and chaotic. Workers may forget the details of an accident quickly, making it important that you locate witnesses to the accident as soon as possible.
4. Follow up with treatment. Failing to follow doctor’s orders can exacerbate your injuries. It can also negatively impact the benefits or compensation you receive for those injuries.
5. Pursue workers’ compensation. In New York, injuries sustained on the job are compensable through the workers’ compensation system regardless of any fault on the part of the employer. You should file for these benefits even if you believe you may also be entitled to third-party compensation.
6. Consult an attorney about third-party liability. Talk to an experienced New York construction accident attorney to determine whether you are entitled to third-party compensation. All too often, workers’ compensation benefits fail to adequately compensate the victim of a construction accident. Furthermore, there is a chance that someone other than your own employer may have contributed to your injuries, which may entitle you to additional benefits outside the workers’ compensation system.

If you have been injured as a result of a New York construction accident, the New York/New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., can discuss your legal options with you. With seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation.