Who Is to Blame for Falling Debris Injuries?

By nature, construction sites are dangerous. Often located in the middle of busy cities, even minor errors can lead to major injuries for construction workers and nearby pedestrians. Some of the most devastating injuries are caused by falling debris. But construction sites aren’t the only place where people get hit by falling objects. Just recently, a woman was killed by falling debris from a building near her midtown Manhattan office. It was discovered that the building had not undergone the necessary maintenance that would have prevented her death. Who is to blame for these incidents and injuries?

Falling Debris at Construction Sites

Construction companies are responsible for ensuring the safety of their workers. Unfortunately, sometimes they fail to implement safety measures that would prevent falling debris from causing harm. A site manager, subcontractor, architect, or engineer may also be liable in some circumstances. For example, if the site manager failed to put up sufficient barricades or signs directing people away from a hazardous area, they may be legally at fault for a resulting injury.

Falling Debris in Public Spaces

Property owners are required to follow safety codes when building and maintaining structures. This includes making necessary repairs in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, building owners don’t always do all they can to keep their tenants, visitors, and the public safe. They may delay or ignore necessary repairs with the goal of saving a little money, in turn putting people’s lives at risk.

Compensation for Falling Debris Injuries

If you are a construction worker who suffered a falling debris injury on the job, you may be able to recover damages through workers’ compensation. It’s important, however, to remember that insurance companies and employers are not always on your side. They often try to deny benefits and/or minimize injuries in order to cut costs. For example, they may claim that your injury occurred off-site, or for a non-work-related reason. That’s why it’s imperative that you hire a workers’ compensation attorney to allow you the best chance possible at recovering the compensation you deserve. If you are a pedestrian who has suffered a falling debris injury, you may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding your injury to identify the responsible party and build the strongest case possible. We will thoroughly document the incident to demonstrate the extent of your injury and the damages you have suffered as a result of another’s negligence. In turn, you may be able to recover damages including past and future medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Contact Morgan & Morgan

For more than 35 years, Morgan & Morgan has fought to protect people who suffer preventable injuries. In that time, we’ve recovered more than $20 billion for our clients. Our legal team knows how to build a case: With our help, you may be able to recover significant financial compensation in a most difficult time. Find out what we can do to help you by scheduling a free case evaluation. It’s free to get started and we get paid only if you win. Contact us now.