As demand for solar energy increases and solar construction projects continue to expand in New York State, more workers are finding themselves in a dangerous role that has many of the same hazards and safety risks as jobs like road work or construction.
Injuries suffered in the course of a solar construction project can be devastating, and even fatal. Our attorneys have seen firsthand the terrible aftermath of injuries sustained in this line of work, and we understand the pain that injured workers and their families feel under these difficult circumstances.
MCV Law’s experienced attorneys are here to protect your rights and take the legal action necessary to ease the medical, emotional, and financial burdens that can arise after a severe injury. You have options, and we are here to help you understand them and use them to your advantage.
"I couldn't ask for a better experience. Bethany Nicoletti was very knowledgeable and professional. I will be using them again if I need legal assistance."
- Peter A., a satisfied MCV Law client
Legal Options Available to Those Who’ve Suffered a Solar Project Injury
From a legal standpoint, solar project injuries are unique in that their exact causes and long-term effects can make injured workers eligible for multiple forms of compensation. These different legal options involve different sets of deadlines and procedures, and they can impact one another through a complicated interplay of offsets.
Because of this, solar project construction injury cases are best handled by a single law firm that can coordinate internally and combine legal actions to maximize your compensation and give you the best possible result. MCV Law has Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability attorneys standing by to assist you with your case and help you get your life back.
Workers’ Compensation
One form of compensation that may be available to those who’ve been injured in a solar project accident is New York Workers’ Compensation. Workers’ Comp is designed to help cover the medical expenses and lost wages associated with injuries suffered in the course of employment. The amount of Workers’ Compensation awarded will generally depend on your degree of disability, average weekly wage (AWW), and a number of other important factors.
Insurance companies have their own lawyers and will often reject (controvert) Workers’ Compensation claims to avoid having to pay, which forces injured workers to navigate a complex litigation process to secure the benefits they need. Having an experienced Workers’ Compensation attorney’s representation is key for ensuring that your rights are protected.
Personal Injury
Workers who’ve been injured in a solar project construction accident may also have a potential third-party Personal Injury claim.
Section 200 of New York State’s Labor Law requires worksites to be:
“...so constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, health and safety of all persons employed therein or lawfully frequenting such places. All machinery, equipment, and devices in such places shall be so placed, operated, guarded, and lighted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to all such persons.”
When an injury occurs due to a property owner, project manager, and/or general contractor’s failure to maintain these safety standards, they could be held liable for damages. In projects that have multiple tiers of management, there is often shared responsibility. Along with workplace conditions, training protocols and supervision are major considerations as well.
Section 240 of New York State’s Labor Law, also known as the Scaffold Law, brings a height component to certain third-party Personal Injury cases. This law holds employers and property owners fully liable when an employee is injured due to a gravity-related fall, generally in circumstances involving workers falling from a scaffold, or pieces of equipment falling from a height and striking workers below.
Reckless drivers and the manufacturers of faulty equipment are other examples of third parties that can be held liable in third-party Personal Injury claims.
Our experienced Personal Injury lawyers can determine whether you may have a third-party Personal Injury claim, and build you an ideal strategy based on the story of your injury and the parties involved in causing it. Personal Injury cases are highly nuanced. From evidence collection to settlement negotiations, every stage of the Personal Injury process involves high stakes. Your case is best left to a detail-oriented Personal Injury lawyer with a proven record of success.
Contact MCV Law's Personal Injury Team
Social Security Disability
In addition to any Workers’ Compensation and/or Personal Injury claim, when an injury is so severe that it leaves you unable to work, you may be deemed eligible for ongoing Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
You have paid into the Social Security system over the course of your career through a dedicated payroll tax. When a chronic condition leaves you unable to work, some of that money can come back to you in the form of Social Security Disability. However, as the applicant, you must prove your inability to work by presenting sufficient medical evidence, and provide other important SSDI eligibility details pertaining to your age, work history, work credits, etc. in order to build to the strongest case.
Our Social Security Disability attorneys have helped hundreds of Social Security Disability applicants secure the benefits they need. We know exactly what the Social Security Administration looks for when reviewing claims, and can help you avoid the critical mistakes that can compromise your right to benefits.
Why Choose MCV Law?
With skilled attorneys handling Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, and Social Security Disability, MCV Law has the rare ability to handle every legal aspect of your case and help you secure the maximum amount of compensation possible under multiple areas of the law.
We have been serving injured workers in New York State for over 40 years, and we actively advocate for legislation that protects workers in our communities. We know how difficult it can be to navigate the aftermath of a severe injury, and we know how important it is for injured workers to set themselves up with the best possible resources for recovery.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning that you pay us nothing until we secure payment for you, at which point our fee will be a percentage of the total amount awarded to you. There are no out-of-pocket fees associated with our Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, or Social Security Disability services.
MCV Law also has a proud record of success. We have over 300 client testimonials, with an average rating of 4.9 stars. We are selective in the cases we take on, which gives each one of our clients the confidence of knowing that we will remain accessible, transparent, and communicative throughout their case.
Most importantly, we have a passion for helping people in your situation. We have dedicated our careers to the practice of bringing favorable solutions to people who are in the middle of a life-changing event. In a time of pain and confusion, we are here to bring you confidence and clarity.
Are You Ready to Get Your Life Back?
All it takes to get started is a phone call, text, or email. Allow us to address your questions and set your case in motion. We offer free initial consultations, and look forward to hearing your story and letting you know how we can assist you in your pursuit of a positive outcome.
“I recently had the pleasure of working with MCV Law, and I couldn't be more pleased with their exceptional service. From the very start, their team demonstrated a genuine concern and commitment to my case. Communication was clear and timely, and I felt well-informed and supported throughout the entire process. I highly recommend them for anyone in need of legal representation.”
-Nicholas W., a satisfied MCV Law client