Paralysis Injury on Construction Zones in New York, NY

Everybody knows that working on a construction site can be dangerous. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction workers sustained more fatal injuries than those in any other industry in the private sector in 2009. That’s not necessarily a surprise – nearly all types of new or renovated structures require the use of hefty materials, large machinery, power tools, electricity and chemicals during the construction process. A single misstep, fall or mechanical failure could cause life-altering on-the-job injuries. Paralysis is one of them.

Paralysis refers to the loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part as a result of damage to its nerve supply. Nearly one in 50 people are living with some form of paralysis today, according to a study by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Foundation. An estimated 362,000 of those individuals became paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury that occurred in the workplace.

Sadly, some construction accidents occur even though every reasonable security measure has been taken to prevent an injury at work. But other times, construction workers suffer on-the-job injuries and become paralyzed because someone acted negligently. In those cases, injured workers may have the right to file claims against the responsible party to help compensate for their physical, emotional and monetary losses.

Paralyzed in a Construction Accident?

The attorneys at Resnick & Associates, PC, know that no one other than the injured person can truly understand what it is like to be paralyzed. If you or a loved one became paralyzed in a construction accident and someone other than the employer was to blame, you could be entitled to receive damages if the third party falls outside of the workers’ compensation system. Our Brooklyn, New York, construction injury lawyers are skilled at evaluating construction accident claims and can help you determine whether the negligence of a third party caused or contributed to your injuries. We can also help if you were a non-employee who was injured while visiting a construction site.

Call our New York City personal injury lawyers today at 212-279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.

We serve construction accident victims in the Bronx, and all of New York City, including Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Long Island.

Paralysis Injuries Aren’t Simple

A variety of New York construction accidents can cause paralysis, typically due to spinal cord injuries that happen when a worker falls or is struck by something like a falling object. However, severe nerve damage that occurs when a body part is crushed can also lead to paralysis in the affected areas.

Sometimes, the paralysis is temporary and impacts only a small part of the body. But other times, construction workers in the Brooklyn and New York City suffer what doctors call complete (or permanent) paralysis, which impacts entire regions of the body. Then there’s the psychological pain caused by paralysis. Construction workers are used to making their living by moving and doing – losing that ability can be painful to recover from on top of relearning or modifying one’s day-to-day routines to manage a disability.

Complications of Paralysis

Sadly, many forms of paralysis also cause secondary or chronic problems beyond the initial trauma. That’s because the central nervous system controls involuntary bodily functions, such as breathing or heartbeat. When those nerve signals are blocked, individuals may suffer from complications including:

The costs of handling the immediate needs of a paralyzed New York construction worker can be astronomical, reaching over $200,000 in the first year alone. Future long-term costs might include additional surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wages of home-health aides and other expenses. Many people do not have the resources or health insurance to cover these charges.

Contact our New York, NY, Construction Accident Lawyers Today

David Resnick & Associates, PC, can help you. If you’ve been paralyzed, don’t hesitate to contact our New York City construction accident attorneys online or by calling 212-279-2000. Our job is to advocate aggressively on behalf of injured Brooklyn and New York City construction workers, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve as you rebuild your life.