NBR Construction Lawyer http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:51:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Mistreatment of Construction Workers http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=17 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=17#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:51:23 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=17
It was reported by the Fiscal Policy in 2007, “an estimated 50,000 New York City construction workers, nearly one in four, are either misclassified as independent contractors or employed by construction contractors completely off the books.” This ultimately means that all of those under the table workers are not receiving benefits, social security, or any other type of unemployment opportunities. Misclassifying workers, especially in the construction industry, stirs up a lot of trouble in terms of the future for the workers. It is a lot cheaper for an employer to pay their construction workers under the table, especially if the project is temporary. However, if you are placed in the construction workers shoes what happens if you get injured and loose your job? Theses are the types of questions that thousands of construction workers have as they experience these types of problems.  Mistreatment of construction workers is a huge problem in the United States, especially in this economic climate. As work is harder to come by, people are going to take jobs for a lot less and with a lot less credentials. People are worried about finding work; they are not worried whether their employer has passed their most recent safety standards test.
Mistreatment of construction workers has been an issue for many years, however now that people are struggling to make ends meat they don’t care how they are being treated. This is a severe problem, yet in the midst of things it doesn’t seem to be that big of a concern to the people employing the construction workers. Employers now see how many people are struggling and what they will do to keep and maintain their jobs. Just because the economy is struggling, doesn’t mean those who are ahead can take advantage of the situation. In the world of construction, if you are not physically able to do the work you are useless. Therefore if a construction worker gets injured at a construction site they are no longer employable. In this unstable economy if you are injured and out of work you do not have many other viable options.
If you or a loved one has been injured at a construction site, contact super lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP. They have the knowledge and experienced to stand up for you in a court of law and determine the steps needed necessary to get you to the next step. A construction injury can be very serious especially when it leaves you out of work and in the hospital. Construction companies that do not follow the strict guidelines regarding safety and machine efficiency need to be reported to ensure the safety of the other construction workers at the site. Don’t let another’s actions defer you from providing for your family and contact the law firm of Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today.

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=17 Construction in the Winter Months Can Pose Danger http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=16 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=16#comments Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:09:43 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=16 About 25% of construction companies halt major work during the winter months, however that leaves the remaining 75% to continuing working. There are many hazards present at a construction site during the winter months including malfunctioning equipment, harsh conditions, and misjudgment. Construction work during the winter can be very dangerous and may end up injuring employees. There are some additional precautions that should be taken when undergoing construction during the winter months. Construction site employees should be aware of how the weather conditions are going to affect not only their materials and work site, but themselves as well. When dealing with rain, most of the work should be indoors, this way the water will not interfere with the quality of work that is currently being done. When dealing with ice, it is important to be extremely carefully when carrying any type of materials, equipment, or operating large machines. The ice can make surfaces very slippery, which could cause and accident to occur quite easily. When dealing with snow, it is important to remember when driving heavy machinery that the snow can form and the machine will tend to sway. When dealing with a construction site that is working through the winter months it is important to keep these factors in mind when scheduling your next project.
Injuries at a construction site during the winter months have been proven to be worse than in all other months. This means that taking the proper precautions before starting on a construction project during the winter is essential. If one of your fellow construction workers has been injured while working at a site during the winter the ramifications may be rather large. Injuries are more apt to happen in the winter months when people are not prepared and have not made the proper adjustments for the winter. When getting ready for the winter months it is important to make those small changes in equipment that will prove to be very beneficial. Small things like changing all of your company’s vehicles to their snow tires may avoid an accident or two. By taking the proper steps to ensure that your construction site is safe will prove to be very beneficial in the upcoming winter months.
If for some reason you or a loved one has found yourselves in the position where your construction site is not taking the proper precautions when working in the winter months, you should consider talking to the manager. For injury is bound to occur, which could end up causing more damage than anyone could have ever thought. However careful your construction site may be during the winter months, injury is bound to occur. If you have been injured at a construction site during the winter, contact super lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP. They have the superior knowledge and expertise in dealing with these types of cases. They will be able to review your case and determine the proper steps needed to take your case to the next level.

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=16 Construction Accidents & Medical Insurance 11/13 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=15 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=15#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:31:57 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=15 Construction Accidents & Medical Insurance
Many problems arise when construction workers are paid under the table and are not covered by their employers medical insurance. When injuries happen in this arena problems arise because usually the injured construction worker is not covered under their employer’s coverage nor do they have their own medical insurance. When these type of construction accidents occur it can leave the injured party in a very bad position, out of work and injured. Medical insurance costs are very high, so lower income families are more apt to forgo the coverage. This is a very hard realization do deal with for a parent that cannot provide proper healthcare for their family members and for themselves. This issue is especially prevalent when an individual gets injured and then is forced out of work because they cannot physically do the job. Construction workers who get injured on the job site should be covered by their employer’s coverage. However many employers take on workers on a job-by-job basis so that they will not have to cover their employees coverage if they get injured. Construction work is a very dangerous occupation that is prone to injury and is the cause of many fatalities. The emphasis on a construction site should be of safety, however this is normally not the case. Safety regulations can be costly to abide by but it’s the law and to be deemed a legal entity, construction sites must conform. However, unfortunately many construction companies try to go under the radar and even try to bribe officials so that they pass their inspections.
Many construction workers may not know that they have certain rights when working on a construction site, and if their employer does not meet these specifications they are going to be liable for any injuries or related happenings. Too often construction workers try to fix their situation on their own and do not realize that their employer was at fault. In order to bring awareness to the subject, safety officials are urging employees to make sure that they see that all safety standards are met and complied with. Then and only then should they agree to the terms in their contract. Too many construction workers accept jobs without sufficient safety compliance, this is then were they are more apt to getting hurt. In order to ensure that your employer has complied with safety standards and that you are covered under their coverage all you have to do is ask. They are legally required to provide you with these materials before any work has begun.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a construction accident, contact super lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP. They have the experience necessary to determine what part of your contract has been breached and what the next steps are to ensure that you get the right amount of compensation to cover your medical expenses, loss of wages, and for pain and suffering. Don’t let your employer take advantage of you; contact Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today.

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=15 The Importance of Safety Standards at Construction Site’s Across the Globe http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=14 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=14#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:48:23 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=14 Due to the current condition of the U.S. economy, the construction industry is hurting. The amount of funding from both government and independent contracts has been sufficiently decreased, contractors are going to have a tough time funding and implementing their projects. Construction deals are being broken and shut down due to a lack of capital while others are progressing without the proper requirements, safety standards, and training programs. When the latter occurs there is a far greater risk for a construction accident to occur. The fact of the matter is that if a construction worker was injured at the work place, a lawsuit could end up shutting down the company and force them to resort to bankruptcy. Since there are so many problems with lines of credit, construction companies are no longer able to get the loans that they once did to front the costs of their projects.  The substandard real estate market has directly hurt the construction industry due to people not being able to pay their mortgages and rent. People all over the United States were taking out loans and mortgages based on credit that they didn’t have. People got these loans with ease having low interest rates in the beginning, but the promise that they would rise did not affect them. When interest rates did in fact rise, people could no longer afford their mortgages forcing to foreclose on their houses.
Construction companies no longer are continuing at the rapid pace as they once were, so it is obvious that the industry is going to take a hit. The problem occurs when construction companies compromise safety, training, and equipment standards so that they can continue to build and work. The fact of the matter is that compromising safety, training, and equipment can lead to injury causing huge consequences. Construction based injuries usually are pretty severe stemming from the type of environment, hazardous tools, and dangerous work conditions. The importance of safety standards being complied with should be one of the major concerns of every construction companies. Injuries happening at the workplace can cause workers to be out of work for months at a time leaving them with no way to support their families. The economic crisis has not only affected those with extensive portfolios and other capital market mediums, but it has affected the nation as a whole involving anyone assimilated.
If you have been directly harmed from an employer who has failed to provide you with the proper safety standards, training, and equipment, contact super lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP. They have the experience, knowledge, and skills needed to stand up for you in a court of law and gain you justice on your behalf. In these trying times it is important for employers to realize the gravity of standards that can severely affect their employees. Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP can help you gain a settlement that will cover medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=14 New York Construction Worker Falls to Meet Death http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=13 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=13#comments Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:05:00 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=13

It seems that despite recent efforts to increase safety and quality standards, construction workers are still feeling the brunt of the dangerous profession. Miguel Rodriguez a 38 yr old construction worker fell to his death in Harlem while trying to get down from a scaffold. Rodriguez tried to get down without the help from his partner, which turned out to be a fatal move. In training, workers are taught to make sure that when getting down from a scaffold, you are to do this with the help of another not by yourself. The mistake that Rodriguez made in trying this maneuver alone turned out to be the downfall of his life. It seems as if this accident could have been easily avoided unfortunately it did occur and all we can do now is learn from our mistakes. New York construction work is very dangerous, and this case proves the importance of complying with the safety requirements. Maybe there needs to be more training programs in place as well as more supervision at the workplace. Whatever the case may be, change needs to be augmented to be able to curtail these types of accidents.

            In this past year alone there have been 18 victims of workers dying in a construction related accident in New York City. Many were due to the crane accidents in the early summer, however it seems that the number of abnormal deaths attributed to working on a construction site has risen. I hope that now more than ever those federal regulators will realize that we need to increase and strengthen New York Labor laws immediately. In our economic state we do not have the revenue to cover these types of instances nor do we want them to occur at all. For the betterment of all parties, stricter safety, equipment, training programs need to be enacted. If we take the proper precautions and take the time now to prepare for future construction projects, the city will benefit two folds. Not only will there be less injuries and death resulting from poor construction site quality control, but many lives will be saves as well. For this is the most important reason for changing safety programs and instituting better training programs. For what happened to Rodriguez is something that could have been avoided, and we want to make sure that all instances in that manner is in fact actually avoided.

             If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident contact personal injury lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP. It is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible for there are specific details that must be reported with the incident is still fresh in the mind. Lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP know that this is a very trying time for those involved, in which their superior knowledge can help make this process go as smoothly and quickly as possible. In order to gain compensation for being hurt in a construction accident, contact Napoli Bern Ripka LLP.

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]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=13 NYC Struggles with Illegal advertising on Construction Sites Causing Accidents http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=12 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=12#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:40:50 +0000 admin

Have you ever noticed the massive amounts of ads that flood billboards, construction sites, and every pole in sight? It’s pretty hard not to because almost every space in New York City is covered with ads and posters. Did you also know that most of these forms of advertising are illegal? This type of vandalism seems to be accepted in New York City because it is so common. What you don’t know is that the city has to shell out a large amount of money to clean up the debris. When is the last time you saw a poster for the opening of the first batman movie or the release of Ace of Base’s first album? You don’t because the city hires people to clean up the city streets. 

Since Construction is so common in New York City, these vandals find construction sites perfect to place their posters. Construction equipment is also a popular place to put the ads because they figure the equipment is going to be used for a long period of time. Also, a construction site is viable for a couple of months to a year then it travels like a circus to the next site. Thus the ads and posters are shown throughout the city and is done free of charge. These ads are literally everywhere you look and what it is posted on is covered up. Instances of safety have been an issue because these posters and stickers are being placed over important signs regarding safety and usage at construction sites.

There have been issues causing construction accidents because of the stickers and posters covering information that is essential to the operation of construction equipment.  Construction accidents can happen either by the negligence of an employee or also because the equipment and safety standards are not clearly explained. When these illegal ads are causing construction accidents to occur something has to be done about it. Is it the fault of the vandal who is placing these illegal ads places where it is causing harm to others? Is it the fault of the construction company for not regulating their construction sites and keeping their equipment up to date? Or is it the fault of the construction workers who are not noticing that these illegal signs are affecting the lives of their fellow coworkers as well as the general public?

If you have been a victim of a construction accident, you can be rest assured that Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experienced legal team needed to investigate and help determine the party or parties responsible for your construction site injury. If you’re a worker involved in an accident you are entitled to workers compensation. A worker can also file a lawsuit against other parties that may have been at fault for the accident. If you were an innocent bystander that was caused injury in a construction accident you would hold the general contractor liable under the general law of personal injury. There are many claims that are involved in constructions accidents, in which you need a professional Construction Accident Lawyer to help you through the process.

 

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=12 NYC Struggles with Illegal advertising on Construction Sites Causing Accidents http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=11 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=11#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:40:41 +0000 admin

Have you ever noticed the massive amounts of ads that flood billboards, construction sites, and every pole in sight? It’s pretty hard not to because almost every space in New York City is covered with ads and posters. Did you also know that most of these forms of advertising are illegal? This type of vandalism seems to be accepted in New York City because it is so common. What you don’t know is that the city has to shell out a large amount of money to clean up the debris. When is the last time you saw a poster for the opening of the first batman movie or the release of Ace of Base’s first album? You don’t because the city hires people to clean up the city streets. 

Since Construction is so common in New York City, these vandals find construction sites perfect to place their posters. Construction equipment is also a popular place to put the ads because they figure the equipment is going to be used for a long period of time. Also, a construction site is viable for a couple of months to a year then it travels like a circus to the next site. Thus the ads and posters are shown throughout the city and is done free of charge. These ads are literally everywhere you look and what it is posted on is covered up. Instances of safety have been an issue because these posters and stickers are being placed over important signs regarding safety and usage at construction sites.

There have been issues causing construction accidents because of the stickers and posters covering information that is essential to the operation of construction equipment.  Construction accidents can happen either by the negligence of an employee or also because the equipment and safety standards are not clearly explained. When these illegal ads are causing construction accidents to occur something has to be done about it. Is it the fault of the vandal who is placing these illegal ads places where it is causing harm to others? Is it the fault of the construction company for not regulating their construction sites and keeping their equipment up to date? Or is it the fault of the construction workers who are not noticing that these illegal signs are affecting the lives of their fellow coworkers as well as the general public?

If you have been a victim of a construction accident, you can be rest assured that Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experienced legal team needed to investigate and help determine the party or parties responsible for your construction site injury. If you’re a worker involved in an accident you are entitled to workers compensation. A worker can also file a lawsuit against other parties that may have been at fault for the accident. If you were an innocent bystander that was caused injury in a construction accident you would hold the general contractor liable under the general law of personal injury. There are many claims that are involved in constructions accidents, in which you need a professional Construction Accident Lawyer to help you through the process.

 

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=11 NYC Struggles with Illegal Advertising on Construction Sites Causing Accidents http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=8 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=8#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:38:10 +0000 admin

Have you ever noticed the massive amounts of ads that flood billboards, construction sites, and every pole in sight? It’s pretty hard not to because almost every space in New York City is covered with ads and posters. Did you also know that most of these forms of advertising are illegal? This type of vandalism seems to be accepted in New York City because it is so common. What you don’t know is that the city has to shell out a large amount of money to clean up the debris. When is the last time you saw a poster for the opening of the first batman movie or the release of Ace of Base’s first album? You don’t because the city hires people to clean up the city streets. 

Since Construction is so common in New York City, these vandals find construction sites perfect to place their posters. Construction equipment is also a popular place to put the ads because they figure the equipment is going to be used for a long period of time. Also, a construction site is viable for a couple of months to a year then it travels like a circus to the next site. Thus the ads and posters are shown throughout the city and is done free of charge. These ads are literally everywhere you look and what it is posted on is covered up. Instances of safety have been an issue because these posters and stickers are being placed over important signs regarding safety and usage at construction sites.

There have been issues causing construction accidents because of the stickers and posters covering information that is essential to the operation of construction equipment.  Construction accidents can happen either by the negligence of an employee or also because the equipment and safety standards are not clearly explained. When these illegal ads are causing construction accidents to occur something has to be done about it. Is it the fault of the vandal who is placing these illegal ads places where it is causing harm to others? Is it the fault of the construction company for not regulating their construction sites and keeping their equipment up to date? Or is it the fault of the construction workers who are not noticing that these illegal signs are affecting the lives of their fellow coworkers as well as the general public?

If you have been a victim of a construction accident, you can be rest assured that Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experienced legal team needed to investigate and help determine the party or parties responsible for your construction site injury. If you’re a worker involved in an accident you are entitled to workers compensation. A worker can also file a lawsuit against other parties that may have been at fault for the accident. If you were an innocent bystander that was caused injury in a construction accident you would hold the general contractor liable under the general law of personal injury. There are many claims that are involved in constructions accidents, in which you need a professional Construction Accident Lawyer to help you through the process.

 

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=8 NYC Struggles with Illegal Advertising on Construction Sites Causing Accidents http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=6 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=6#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:37:30 +0000 admin

Have you ever noticed the massive amounts of ads that flood billboards, construction sites, and every pole in sight? It’s pretty hard not to because almost every space in New York City is covered with ads and posters. Did you also know that most of these forms of advertising are illegal? This type of vandalism seems to be accepted in New York City because it is so common. What you don’t know is that the city has to shell out a large amount of money to clean up the debris. When is the last time you saw a poster for the opening of the first batman movie or the release of Ace of Base’s first album? You don’t because the city hires people to clean up the city streets. 

Since Construction is so common in New York City, these vandals find construction sites perfect to place their posters. Construction equipment is also a popular place to put the ads because they figure the equipment is going to be used for a long period of time. Also, a construction site is viable for a couple of months to a year then it travels like a circus to the next site. Thus the ads and posters are shown throughout the city and is done free of charge. These ads are literally everywhere you look and what it is posted on is covered up. Instances of safety have been an issue because these posters and stickers are being placed over important signs regarding safety and usage at construction sites.

There have been issues causing construction accidents because of the stickers and posters covering information that is essential to the operation of construction equipment.  Construction accidents can happen either by the negligence of an employee or also because the equipment and safety standards are not clearly explained. When these illegal ads are causing construction accidents to occur something has to be done about it. Is it the fault of the vandal who is placing these illegal ads places where it is causing harm to others? Is it the fault of the construction company for not regulating their construction sites and keeping their equipment up to date? Or is it the fault of the construction workers who are not noticing that these illegal signs are affecting the lives of their fellow coworkers as well as the general public?

If you have been a victim of a construction accident, you can be rest assured that Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experienced legal team needed to investigate and help determine the party or parties responsible for your construction site injury. If you’re a worker involved in an accident you are entitled to workers compensation. A worker can also file a lawsuit against other parties that may have been at fault for the accident. If you were an innocent bystander that was caused injury in a construction accident you would hold the general contractor liable under the general law of personal injury. There are many claims that are involved in constructions accidents, in which you need a professional Construction Accident Lawyer to help you through the process.

]]> http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=6 Safety a Must to Avoid Construction Accidents http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=4 http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=4#comments Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:35:43 +0000 admin http://www.nbrconstructionlawyer.com/blog/?p=4          Safety incidents will fall when you establish a make-ready planning practice coupled with following the rule of only doing work that is in a condition to be started and completed uninterrupted. Safety on the construction site is the responsibility of the contractor and the contractor supervisors. The goal is to improve safety and health for construction workers by making such information more accessible. Learn about the dangers of hand/power tools and equipment and necessary safety precautions. We believe that safety training and an up-to-date contractor safety manuals and proper Illness & Injury Protection Plans (IIPP) can help prevent future jobsite accidents. A practical guide for eliminating safety and health hazards from construction worksites, the Handbook of OSHA Construction Safety and Health addresses the occupational safety and health issues faced by those working in the construction industry.

            OSHA and other organizations are great places to turn to if you need someone who can talk about ways to provide workers with up-to-date information in order for them to make it through the day with out hurting themselves. In some cases, written safety programs are also required by OSHA standards. A typical construction safety program should be comprehensive, address the hazards workers may encounter during normal activities and identify potential emergencies. A principal contractor must prepare a construction safety plan before construction work starts.

            Renovation can turn out to be a nightmare if you do not keep a tab on the high residential construction costs. Only a building industry expert can guide you on how to get that dream house while keeping the residential construction costs within control. Often, to deal with high residential costs, cheap material is used that doesn’t do any good and only makes matters worse. An honest and hard working contractor will give you good results without compromising on the quality standards.

            These contractors are professionals in home construction and are very well versed with what all is involved in home construction. These contractors have good contacts with the labor and know how to deal with them. This not only gets you rid of all the hassle involved in construction work but also saves your time and effort. If a bigger, better dream house is what you dream, the contractor can turn your dream into reality and that also within your budget and without the uncanny residential construction costs.

            If you have been a victim of a construction accident, you can be rest assured that Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experienced legal team needed to investigate and help determine the party or parties responsible for your construction site injury. If you’re a worker involved in an accident you are entitled to workers compensation. A worker can also file a law suit against other parties that may have been at fault for the accident. If you’re an innocent bystander that was caused injury in a construction accident you would hold the general contractor liable under the general law of personal injury. There are many claims that are involved in constructions accidents, in which you need a professional Construction Accident Lawyer to help you through the process.

 

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