Attorney Wants to Ensure Construction Companies Held Accountable
A New York construction accident attorney stressed the importance of strong laws holding owners, developers, contractors and crane operators responsible for construction crane accidents. David Perecman, Secretary of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and Co-chair of its Labor Law Committee believes the violators need to be disciplined by the one thing that hurts - financial recompense. The arrest of New York City Crane Inspector, James Delayo for taking bribes from crane operators and crane companies, illustrated the monetary hold the construction companies have. “Despite efforts of the government to regulate the construction industry, the task is overwhelming. Inspectors can't keep up with the construction boom and don't have the same incentive as construction accident victim's lawyers to do so. What has to happen is that the laws have to be kept strong by the legislature and the courts. Only by hitting owners, developers and contractors in the pocket will they make sure accidents don't continue to happen, lives and families won't be destroyed and those who are responsible will act responsibly,” explained Mr. Perecman. He further illuminated that the public may be unaware of the multiple bills pending in the New York State Legislature trying to weaken the very laws governing construction accident liabilities. Perecman says, “That is the role trial lawyers fill. When an accident happens we find out why. We take the owners and contractors to court and force them and their insurance companies to own up to their mistakes and compensate the victims and their families for what they have lost. No one can replace a lost life and lost health but the least that can be done is making sure that the victims do not suffer financially.”
