Attorney(s): Andrew Finkelstein, Linda Epstein and Ed Steves
Settlement: $2,000,000 settlement
A roofer is entitled to fall protection devices when they work on a construction site. When our client showed up at the sub-division being built on Staten Island, the general contractor did not provide any safety devices. As our client was laying shingles on the roof, the roof collapsed causing him to fall 25 feet to the ground. Had the contractor and owner provided him a safety harness or appropriate scaffolding, the roofer never would have been injured. The judge agreed and found the owner and general contractor violated section 240 of New York’s labor law and held them 100% responsible for the injuries suffered. As a result of this fall, our client had surgery to his knee and low back but the surgeries did not significantly reduce the pain. As a result, a permanent spinal cord pain stimulator was inserted to help control the pain. The general contractor and owner ultimately offered their full insurance policies just before trial, totaling $2,000,000.
The case was handled by Managing Partner Andrew Finkelstein, Trial Partner Linda Epstein and Managing Attorney Ed Steves.