Plumbing Accidents

Plumbing work is essential on a construction site. In new builds, entirely new plumbing systems need to be set up, and in renovations, old pipes may need to be replaced or plumbing may need to be added to different sites or spaces.  While plumbing accidents and injuries may not be as dramatic as scaffolding collapses or crane accidents, they can result in injuries that are just as devastating.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we have represented many construction workers injured due to defective systems, and dangerous site conditions in Westchester County, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and throughout the Hudson Valley, including Putnam, Dutchess, and Orange Counties. If you have been injured on a construction site, contact us for a free consultation with a construction accident lawyer. We can review your accident, explain your options for compensation, and answer your questions. After a consultation with us, you’ll have more information about your options, so you can make a decision about your next steps.

How Plumbing Accidents Occur on Construction Sites

Construction sites rely on plumbing professionals to install, inspect, and maintain water lines, and sewer systems. When these tasks are rushed, improperly supervised, or performed by unqualified workers, serious risks can threaten the safety of everyone on the site. Common causes of plumbing-related construction accidents include:

• Improper installation. Faulty pipe joints or connections can lead to high-pressure blowouts or dangerous leaks.
• Negligent supervision. When site managers or general contractors fail to coordinate plumbing work with other trades (such as electricians), the result can be catastrophic—especially where water and live wires are involved.
• Unmarked or unsecured hazards. A wet floor or burst pipe that is not properly marked can lead to a slip and fall accident or worse.
• Use of substandard materials. Cheap or defective plumbing components may fail under normal pressure or heat conditions, leading to injury or damage.
• Excavation errors. Striking a water or gas line during digging operations is a common plumbing-related error on construction sites, which can lead to explosions, flooding, or severe burns.

If you have been injured in a plumbing accident, it is important to determine what caused the accident, because this will determine whether you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits or whether you can pursue fuller compensation through a personal injury claim. Working with a construction accident lawyer who has experience with plumbing accidents can help you determine what kind of compensation you qualify for.

The Injuries We See from Plumbing-Related Construction Accidents

Plumbing accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:

• Brain injuries caused by slips, falls, or forceful impacts from burst pipes or falling equipment.
• Burns, which can result from exposure to hot water, chemicals, or steam lines under pressure.
• Broken bones, which are often the result of falls on slick, unmarked surfaces or being struck by falling plumbing materials.
• Musculoskeletal injuries, caused by lifting heavy objects or working in awkward positions for extended periods of time.
• Eye injuries caused by debris and flying particles.
• Falls, especially in situations where surfaces are slippery or when plumbing work needs to be done at heights.
• Respiratory issues caused by mold exposure, inhalation of sewage gases, or contaminated air can have long-term consequences for a worker’s lungs and overall health.
• Electrocution injuries that can lead to life-threatening electrical burns and nerve damage.

One of the most common injuries sustained by plumbers is exposure, especially since older pipes can contain lead and asbestos. Plumbing work can also expose construction workers to sulfur dioxide, silica, solder, adhesives, dusts, solvents, and other dangers. In many cases, the areas around pipes attract rodents and other pests, and exposure to their droppings can mean potentially dangerous infections and conditions such as hantavirus.

Another injury that is often overlooked in plumbing accidents is mental trauma. Plumbing work can require extended workdays and shift work. Sometimes, plumbers work alone. These conditions can cause stress and anxiety. In addition, a serious injury such as a head injury or burn injury can result in trauma, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that require treatment.

The challenge with exposure and mental health conditions is that symptoms can take months or even years to develop and it can be a challenge to connect the injury back to a specific work site. At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we work with a team of board-certified medical professionals as well as investigators, engineers, and other experts to gather evidence that can build your case. We also work with vocational rehabilitation experts, accountants, and other experts to establish how much your injuries are likely to cost and how much they may affect your earnings capacity. This helps us seek the fairest possible compensation for you.

Legal Responsibility for Plumbing Accidents

In New York, employers enjoy protection from liability in many cases through workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a no-fault insurance system paid for by employers on behalf of workers. In case of a workplace accident or occupational illness, this insurance is meant to pay injured workers benefits while protecting employers from lawsuits.

Since construction sites are dangerous workplaces, it may be possible for injured workers to seek compensation beyond what workers’ compensation offers. The Industrial Code of New York State requires employers, site owners, and contractors to provide “reasonable and adequate safety” while Section 200 of the New York State Labor Law requires owners, employers, and contractors to provide and maintain a “safe place to work” on construction sites. Under both, injured workers may be able to file a claim if the worksite was not safe.

In addition, plumbing accidents can happen due to dangerous or defective products. For example, a pipe may have been designed or manufactured with flaws that make the pipes burst under pressure, causing injury. The tools plumbers work with may also have mechanical defects. In these cases, the manufacturers of these or other dangerous products can be held liable.

At The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel, we conduct thorough investigations to determine who was responsible and whether any state or federal safety regulations were violated. We help you understand whether you may be eligible for compensation for:

• Pain and suffering.
• Past and future medical expenses.
• Past and future earnings and loss of earnings capacity.
• Inability to return to your previous occupation.
• Loss of enjoyment of life and everyday activities.
• Property damage, car rentals, and other incidental expenses.

Plumbing accidents sometimes involve more than one type of negligence. For example, there may be different safety violations, equipment failures, or construction code breaches that all contribute to an accident and injury. This complexity may require testimony from experienced medical, vocational, and engineering experts. The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel has longstanding relationships with independent board-certified professionals in multiple disciplines to help us investigate your claim, find all liable parties, and build the strongest case possible.

Why Choose Our Firm?

For decades, The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel has fought for injured workers and their families in personal injury cases throughout Westchester County and the greater New York metropolitan area. Our founder has been practicing law since 1986 and brings a wealth of negotiation and trial experience to your claim.

We take pride in combining negotiation skills and trial experience with an empathetic understanding of how an injury affects your life. We always look at the big picture, considering how your plumbing injury has impacted you physically, emotionally, and financially. This helps us understand what compensation to pursue to ensure you have the resources you need to start healing. From day one, we prepare your case as though we’re going to trial. While most construction accident cases are settled out of court, we overprepare so we can show liable parties and insurers that we’re serious. In our experience, we have found that this can help us secure fuller compensation.

We do not charge any fee unless we obtain compensation on your behalf. With offices in White Plains and Peekskill, we are easily accessible and ready to help.

Have you been injured in a plumbing-related construction accident? Contact us today for a free consultation and let us explain your options under New York law.